Dateline
March 1, 1958
Premier Bennett says British Columbia will insist on 50 per cent or more of downstream benefits accruing from the projected Columbia River power development. But he told the Legislature Wednesday that no steps can be taken until the federal government settles the question of downstream benefits with the United States. Randolph Harding (CCF Kaslo-Slocan) criticized Mr. Bennett’s apparent previous insistence on 20 per cent of the downstream benefits – power generated on the American side as a result of damming the Columbia in Canada. Mr. Harding said B.C. should get 50 per cent or more of the additional power. “It will be 50 per cent or better.” Mr. Bennett interjected. “We will get the best deal possible.”
Dateline
March 4, 1958
Anew RCMP building is to be erected in Nelson at a cost of approximately $300,000. Property has been acquired at the corner of Victoria and Stanley Streets, where the Strathcona Hotel stood for nearly 60 years before it was destroyed by fire in May 1955. RCMP headquarters have been in the former Nelson Business College at 107 Baker Street since 1952, when the college was converted for this purpose. Previously the police quarters were located in the Provincial Jail building at 302 Ward Street.
Dateline
March 7, 1958
Safebreakers were at work in Nelson Wednesday night. What appeared to be the work of inexperienced “yeggmen” resulted in a loss of $26 cash and a number of milk tickets taken from a small safe in the Kootenay Valley Dairy office. The safe had been crudely jimmied — the thieves had first twisted the upper hinge and were then able to insert a pry between the door and the safe body which was wrenched off and the safe contents scattered. Apart from the small amount of cash and milk tickets later found abandoned behind the First Presbyterian Church, the intruders “labored mightily for little return,” but did considerable amount of damage to the building. City police were called to investigate and took away the safe door for fingerprinting.
Dateline
March 27, 1958
Enlistment of Federal aid to put an end to terrorism in West Kootenay and an increase of the posted $5,000 reward to $25,000 were urged in two resolutions passed by city council last night. The resolutions, introduced by Mayor T.S. Shorthouse on the heels of an explosion that ripped open the natural gas pipeline into Nelson, are to be wired to the attorney general’s office in Victoria. An objection was raised by Alderman Edith Van Maarion, who said “all they (the dominion government) could do would be to send in the Militia. We don’t want that… it’s the worst kind of publicity… this isn’t the Suez.” Stressed Mayor Shorthouse: “I don’t care if it’s the Militia, something has to be done. We can’t sit here.” To the further comment by Van Maarion that “we have plenty of RCMP posted here,” Alderman George Eckmier commented: “They’d need a Mountie behind every power pole.”
Dateline
March 28, 1958
Last time a wrestling troupe visited Nelson, the biggest crowd in more than three years sat at Civic Centre and enjoyed three red-hot bouts. Tonight the spectators will sit inside the gymnasium of Nelson’s Civic Centre and watch what are expected to again be three red-hot bouts. In the main event, Pacific Northwest light-heavyweight grappling champ Bill Fletcher battles rugged Bob Hess, the “Madman from Milwaukee.” In the semi-final, a best-of-three falls, 30-minute limit, Judy Gable, the female grapple game’s answer to Argentina Rocca (and a blonde to boot) tangles with red-headed Peggy Allen. The semi-final is the big one, so far as local fans are concerned. In the preliminary, Haru Sasaki will oppose Billy King of St. Louis in a battle between judo and speed.