FAMOUS H.B.C. CAPTAINS AND SHIPS (Continued from the June issue) By H. M. S. COTTER, Cumberland House

The "Pelican" once scraped the sunken ledges near Cartwright, but no H.B.C. ship has left her "bones" to rot on that iron-bound shore.

Little is known of the wrecks that do take place on this coast, but I have heard of appalling disasters amongst the hardy fishermen. On the Nova Scotian coast, collision with ice and subsequent loss of life is not infrequent. Every year there are wrecks of some kind. Ocean-going steamers have been forced ashore and become total wrecks. And so it is remarkable that H.B.C. ships have never met with disaster, especially considering their many ports of call.

In 1908 I was a passenger on the "Pelican" (Captain Alex. Grey) bound for Fort Chimo, Ungava. From the time we left Quebec till we passed Cape Harrison, North of Hamilton Inlet, Labrador, we had enjoyed fair weather. But the clouds and rising sea denoted a change.

We were then standing off the coast nearly twelve miles and steaming at about seven knots. The wind kept veering between N. and N.E., finally blowing straight down the coast about north. We stood farther out to sea. At nightfall it was blowing half a gale with rain coming down—and mist. Our speed then was not more than three knots and gradually getting less till about 2 o'clock in the morning when the wind increased to a living gale, screeching and howling through the rigging and stopping all progress. It was then decided to run for shelter, but the nearest harbour was forty miles south, a place named Webek. Captain Grey had been in this harbour only once, about twenty-five years before, and no one else aboard had ever anchored there. They turned the ship and we came scudding south in the blackness of night, then lay-to till dawn, and picking up the land approached at half speed.

To give some idea of the gale outside, when we finally came to an anchorage about 8 o'clock in the morning, the swell was so great in the harbour with the continued violence of the wind that we kept steaming to the anchors to prevent dragging and as the sailors say we were rolling "like maggots in an oak apple." Several fishing schooners had run in the day before and even in shelter the crews had abandoned some of the vessels, as they were dragging their anchors and in imminent danger of going ashore.

The Captain was on the bridge all night. For hours he stood in the bow of the boat hanging in the starboard davits peering through the gloom and mist, looking for landmarks and the harbour entrance. He had on a black sou'wester and oil-skin coat and great long sea-boots. His face was streaming with the rain and spray—a gigantic, picturesque figure, and on this particular morning, unusually silent.

When the ship was snug and safe he came off the bridge, and all he said was, "Aye, aye, a little wind," and then he turned in.

The entries in the log were quite commonplace—all in the day's work, as it were—and one would never glean from them that a ship and cargo worth a quarter of a million had been safely brought to a haven of refuge through exceptional seamanship and courage.

It was in 1894 that Captain Grey in the "Erik," when near Resolution Island at the entrance of the Straits, ran into an iceberg. It happened at night in a thick fog. The ship was moving slowly at the time and before the lookout saw or could give warning she had poked her nose into the 'berg. Her long bowsprit of pitch pine was crumpled up like so much matchwood, and the gear attached to it and one of the catheads was carried away.

Masses of ice came thundering down on her forecastle head, doing much damage to the woodwork. In the meantime the lookout sprinted aft, the watch below came tumbling up on deck and made for safety. The ship was put astern and hove to till daylight. They steamed up next day close enough to see a hole as big as a house which they had punched in the side of the 'berg. All the damage to the ship fortunately was done above the water line.

When the "Erik" returned to Rigolet in October she was sporting a dinky little jib-boom made from one of the spare spars carried on deck for just such an emergency.

Mr. John Ford, a passenger on his way to Georges River Post, told me he never saw Captain Grey more cool or collected. He gave orders as if nothing unusual were taking place. And at breakfast next morning all he said in reference to it was, "Aye, aye, a little ice."

F. T. C. O. Notes

Ralph Parsons, district manager for Labrador, left St. John's, Newfoundland, June 1st for inspection of fur trade posts in his district, including Cartwright, Rigolet, Northwest River and Davis Inlet. Mr. Parsons will later board the H.B.C. supply ship at Grady, off the Labrador coast, and proceed north to the Hudson Straits section of his district.

L. Romanet, fur trade general inspector, left Vancouver at the end of May for inspection of posts in the British Columbia district. He will return in August.

T. P. O'Kelly was to go on Company's business with the "Lady Kindersley," which was scheduled to sail from Vancouver for the Western Arctic, June 28th.

W. R. Mitchell, post manager at Fort Churchill, left Winnipeg June 17th for his station, going via The Pas and York Factory.

John Bartleman, district manager for Keewatin, left Winnipeg June 20th for his regular summer inspection trip of fur trade posts.

The Company has engaged twelve apprentice clerks in Scotland for service at H.B.C. fur trade posts in northern Canada. The party of young men sailed from Southampton June 15th on the "Corsican" for Montreal.

J. J. Barker, district manager for Saskatchewan, left Prince Albert June 18th on summer inspection trip. He will return August 1st.

Mrs. Owen Griffith, wife of the post manager at Albany, James' Bay district, was in Winnipeg during June visiting her mother, Mrs. Allan Nicolson.

KAMLOOPS, B. C. STORE NEWS

Miss Smith, of the ready-to-wear department, returned June 1st after two weeks' vacation, part of which was spent with her mother and sisters at Barriere.

Mr. Madill, of the shoe department, made a short visit to Calgary to meet Mr. Purves, manager of shoe department of Winnipeg Depot.

Miss Weatherby, of the dry goods department, is on a two weeks' vacation trip to the coast cities.

Mrs. Munn, wife of our grocery manager, who has just undergone two very trying operations in Vancouver Hospital, is home again and we are pleased to note her marked improvement.

Harry Campbell is the latest addition to our grocery staff and is welcomed by all.

Youthful Portrait No. 1

Who is it? Send your guess to the Photograph Editor, The Beaver and watch for the name next month.

Mrs. L. G. Mayer, wife of the post manager at Great Whale River, was visiting relatives in Fort William during June and has returned to the post. Nixon, our esteemed checker and shipper, is a recognized expert in all matters pertaining to horticulture. When the North Kamloops May-Day committee was making preparations for their celebration this year and wanted something very special in the way of flowers for the May Queen's crown they appointed Mr. Nixon a committee of one to grow flowers for this purpose and to make the crown.

A True Fish Story By GEO. R. ROBSON, Esquimalt, B.C.

If one chanced to be in the neighbourhood of the Naas river in the early spring of the year, when the bolachan (candle fish) run begins, he could not fail to notice the large number of ducks gathered in the bays and the eagles perched on almost every tree skirting the beaches, all on the watch for the coming feast.

Sit down for a while and notice what is going on. Ah! there is a fishhawk darting into the water of the bay. It is up again with a fish clutched in its talons; see, there comes an eagle in full chase rapidly overtaking the hawk which is now soaring up and up. It is useless; the eagle soon rises above and swoops down on the osprey. The fish abandoned and falling is followed by the eagle and caught before it reaches the water. So it goes on day by day while the run continues.

At Nelson one Sunday afternoon when walking towards town, looking towards the lake I saw a hawk rise with a fish, and sure enough an eagle just starting in pursuit. (I pointed them out to my wife and children who were with me.) They were coming in our direction, flying low.

Thinking the eagle might be driven off, I gathered a few pebbles, and when the birds were almost above us threw them and shouted loudly. To my surprise the hawk dropped the fish and both birds wheeled about and flew in the direction of the lake. The fish fell in the brush about a hundred feet away. I ran to the spot; there was a fine trout wriggling in the grass. Jack Gibson, the drug store man, had appeared on the scene and called out, "What have you got there?" "Oh, only to-morrow's breakfast," I replied.

Guests at Kitchen Shower given for Miss Smith

Gets Wheelbarrow-full of Aluminum Pans

Miss Smith, manager of the ready-to-wear department, who is leaving shortly to be married, was the guest of honor at a kitchen shower given at the home of Miss Stella Cozens by the lady members of our staff and friends, who represented in almost every instance former members of the staff.

The shower consisted of aluminum kitchen utensils in a wheelbarrow decorated with crepe paper and flowers, surmounted by two kewpie dolls dressed as bride and groom.

After lunch was served and everybody felt happy and comfortable, Miss Dougans gave a little exhibition of acrobatic skill.

MONTREAL

H.B.C. Eastern Buying Agency News

The following buyers for the new H.B.C. Victoria store were in the East during June:

Miss J. Murdock.

Miss A. G. McLaren.

Mr. Hunter.

Mr. Gordon.

Miss F. O'Grady and Mr. Frankish, from the Winnipeg retail branch, were with us June 17th, and Mr. Thomas Ross, of the Winnipeg Depot, also spent a few days in Montreal.

Miss Kate Currie, of Vancouver, recently paid us a visit and is now en route for home.

WINNIPEG

Retail Store News

At a recent meeting of the managers and buyers of the store two of our associates were honored for their service records. Miss F. Smith had just attained ten years' service, all of which was given in Winnipeg store. Mr. Roland Hoccon had just completed twenty years in the Company's employ.

In the name of the Governor, Mr. Sparling commented upon the creditable records of both Miss Smith and Mr. Hoccon, and presented Mr. Hoccon with a twenty-year bar to his long service medal.

Tom Johnson, of the men's clothing department, was a busy man during the week of June 1st. Tom is a hard working member of the Manitoba Football Association and was on the reception committee from Manitoba to welcome the visiting aggregation of Scottish football experts.

Everyone regrets that we are losing Miss Netta McEwan, who will occupy an important position in the new Victoria store. Miss McEwan's pleasing personality has won her many friends during her years of association with us and we are, frankly, jealous of Victoria store.

Suppose Mr. Saalfeld would probably like to present us with a crate of retired eggs—one at a time—for saying so, but it just occurred to us that an advertisement of the following character should be productive of considerable business during the summer months:

"The Beauty Parlors announce for Wednesday a sale of stylish new moustaches. These will be made up for two simoleons, in color desired to match any facial decoration scheme—waxed, fitted and attached free of extra charge. Line forms on the left!"

Miss Kandie, Miss Garnier and Miss Girourd have all left us, amid showers of confetti, during the last little while. Object, matrimony.

Youthful Portrait No. 2

Who is it? If you "have a hunch" send in your guess and watch for name in the August issue.

Listening-in at an H.B.C. Dance! (Imaginary Scraps of Desiccated Conversation Collected at a Company Dance).

—From "Piebald Pomes and other Atrocities" by the Akoond of Swat.

Joe Scott Tends Goal Against All-Stars By T. REITH

Joe Scott was pleasantly surprised when he received a handsome gold watch fob bearing the following inscription:

Presented to Joseph Scott by his admirers in Hudson's Bay Store for splendid display as goalkeeper against Scottish All-Star Football Team,

Winnipeg, June 9th, 1921.

Joe is an esteemed member of our delivery department and was honored by Manitoba footballers in being chosen to keep goal for Manitoba against the visiting Scottish stars.

Said the one and only Jimmy McMenemy: "We won with ease, but there is one consolation left for the home boys, and that is that they are the best team we have yet opposed.

"Your goalkeeper, Joe Scott, is a worthy custodian. Facing a blinding sun and having to handle a lively ball, he put up a great game between the sticks. I thought that some of his saves were particularly fine."

Joe Scott stopping a "hot shot" from Andy Wilson of the visiting stars.

WHOLESALE DEPOT

Miss Rose Paradis, late steno star, was our first "June bride." Rose was married at Sedan on Wednesday, June 8th.

Miss Maude Poole, who came out from England, joining the staff of steno stars, was our next "June bride," being married on Saturday, June 11th, to Mr. L. Keeble, of Winnipeg. The wedding took place at St. Luke's church, Fort Rouge, at 4 o'clock. The girls of the staff presented Miss Poole with an electric table lamp as a token of their appreciation.

Poor Bobby (Miss Gow) is on the sick list and is unfortunately compelled to miss the first part of the tennis season. Bobby was one of our enthusiasts last year.

Miss Fairbanks is another unfortunate one on the sick list.

Football—The team in the Commercial League are still going at a great gait—Government Telephones and Eaton's Wanderers being beaten 2-1 and 1-0, respectively. To date the Wholesale have played four games, winning two and drawing two.

Tennis—Like bears awakening after the winter's sleep, so the long evenings and fine weather is luring the tennis fans on to the courts. The latest converts are Miss Kellet, Miss Vusom, Miss Smeaton and Bill Paul. All members of the staff are welcome and we wish that more would come out and take advantage of the courts.

Quoits.—The Wholesale section of the depot are going to try for the quoits championship this year. Many are coming out for practice games, and as one remarked the other night, "Watch our smoke."

Modern Canoes for Northland

A carload of modern Peterboro canoes will go forward shortly from Edmonton to Fort McPherson, at the mouth of the McKenzie River, for distribution among the northernmost posts of H.B.C.

This modern type of canoe is being shipped in to take the place of the old time birchbark, and this summer will see them being paddled by Eskimos and Indians who hitherto have never navigated anything more modern than a kayak or birchbark canoe.

The new canoes weigh but forty pounds each, although twelve feet in length. They are intended especially for the requirements of the lone hunter. There are twelve canoes in all going to the far north in this shipment, including the various types and sizes from the big cruiser to the trapper's craft.

LETHBRIDGE (Alta.) STORE NEWS

An enjoyable time was had on May 24th at the club house on Henderson Lake by the members and friends of the Hudson's Bay Athletic Association of Lethbridge.

Baseball, boating, music and dancing provided entertainment for the large crowd. In the afternoon a presentation of a knife and fork cabinet was made to Mr. Charles Briggs, who recently took unto himself a wife. The presentation was made by Mr. C. H. Fair on behalf of the management and staff.

Miss Reeves attended the Gossard corset demonstration at Calgary recently.

Mr. W. Thomson, who recently arrived in Canada from Scotland, and who has served overseas with the Imperial Army as French and German interpreter with the army of occupation, is now manager of the house furnishings department. Mr. Thomson has had a number of years' experience in Glasgow.

Mr. Charles Briggs has been transferred to the managership of our grocery department.

Miss Patterson left for a short visit to Vancouver where she has undergone an operation and we are pleased to know that she is progressing favorably and able to enjoy the scenic wonders of the coast city.

Mrs. Mars is now back with us after a short illness.

Mr. George Burns, manager of the shoe department, is on the sick list, but we hope to see him back in his department shortly.

GENERAL OFFICE (WINNIPEG) NEWS

The publicity department removed June 8th from York Street to the executive offices at 208 Main Street.

T. H. Irvine, caretaker, was heard talking to himself, chuckling, and saying something about a "prize bairn." Mrs. Irvine is doing well, and Thomas Henry is the name of the fine new baby.

Colin Urquhart, whose retirement was reported in our issue of December, 1920, was a visitor last month. He looked the picture of health.

Miss Peggy Boyle and Mr. W. A. Wylde, of the chief accountant's office were on holidays from June 13th to 27th.

Winnipeg Dry Goods Staff, 1898. Any familiar faces here?

VANCOUVER

This up-and-coming aggregation of H.B.C. Vancouver baseball artists has been playing in hard luck so far, but enthusiastic rooting will encourage them to fight for a place at the top. Our 'photo shows the players from left to right: McReery, Leaney, Vater, Stedham, Barber, Anderson, Jopson, Cline, Rawlinson, Adams.

Watch These Ball Players From Now On By L. A. KEELE

Out of four games played the team has yet to win a game, but the boys are trying hard and with a little co-operation and support from the rest of the store staff the ball team will yet be seen in the form of a championship contender.

All games are played immediately after the close of business and it is hard to expect the boys to be on hand and ready to play at a moment's notice. However, that is one of the hardships they are working under and if the supporters of our team will have patience until the team gets into its stride they will see the team win ball games.

Support the team. Come out to every game; let the boys who are playing know that you are behind them. Make a noise when you are there and don't let the players think that the whole crowd is rooting for the other team.

City senior baseball is good and any team that can make good in the league are ball players.

In view of the fact that this is the H.B.C. store's first attempt to field a team in the city league, and all other teams have the rest of the city to choose from, whereas the H.B.C. team is being confined to store boys, we have a very formidable aggregation.

No Skirts for This 4200-Foot Climb By A. HUMPHREYS

A party of five of the younger set—Misses E. Martin, L. Geach, V. Fairhurst, A. Humphreys and M. Phillips, started out for a hike up Grouse Mountain on a Sunday in June.

After an enjoyable ride on the ferry they boarded the car for the mountain, started to climb about ten o'clock and reached Mosquito Creek (2000 feet) about noon. There camp was struck. The climb was continued to the summit, which was reached about 4 o'clock.

A lively game of snowball was enjoyed by these ardent Alpine spirits, who nothing daunted by the 4200-foot grade, declared they had the time of their lives.

Many of the staff will no doubt want to follow in the footsteps of these pioneer trail-breakers. But girls, side-step skirts and get into riding trousers for this climb!

Mr. H. Pout, H.B.C. manager at Vernon, who has been recently appointed to position of merchandise manager at Victoria store, was in Vancouver during June making arrangements for entering his new sphere in the Company's service.

Presentation to Mr. Horne

J. S. Horne, assistant accountant, who has devoted twelve years of faithful service at the Vancouver store, was presented on June 11th with a gold watch and chain as a mark of the regard in which he is held by the staff, the occasion being the transfer of Mr. Horne to the new store soon to be opened at Victoria.

Mr. Lockyer, general manager, made the presentation in the presence of representatives from the different departments of the store.

H.B.C. Cribbage Players Win Baxter Cup

The aggregate scores for the season in the Vancouver inter-club and cribbage association show the Hudson's Bay Company players as winners of the T. S. Baxter cup for single points, while G.W.V.A. has carried off the double championship and with it the cup donated by H. T. Lockyer.

Wholesome Minds A Few Thoughts for Our Younger Folks (older ones not barred) By Mrs. Jack Hawkshaw

When a young woman's skirt or a young man's trousers show bulging creases over the knees, their owners are living a sedentary life or have never learned to walk correctly.

Stand erect with the upper part of the chest "leading." Breathe deeply, laugh deeply and smoothly. Don't giggle and squirm, girls. Have poise. It is the most wonderful health inspirer on earth. How many of us realize that a flustered mind is the cause of more disease than the inoculation of poisonous germs?

Physicians are coming more and more to see the power of mentality. A great deal of practice of the now-a-days physician is in "cheering up" his patients and routing morbid fears. Every thought has an effect of some sort on the human body. How often an unreasoning fear of a disease will bring about conditions which make for the "catching" of it!

We would have fewer cases of "chronic ailments" if only folks would realize that if it is "chronic" then it can not be very "killing" trouble, else people would not last for years (sometimes for more than half a century) with some affliction that they become so attached to they could not live without.

You know in every community there is the chronic sufferer from insomnia who forty-nine times out of every fifty nights has not "slept a wink." Sleeplessness is his hobby.

By all means let us throw the windows of our minds wide open to the blessed breezes of heaven and rejoice in this "best of all possible worlds." Live vitally, energetically. Really "enjoy your work" and throw yourselves with might and main into play.

And remember, the Hudson's Bay Company, which has existed for 251 years, does not require you to be its Atlas when you go home at night. It will get along quite as well if you lay business aside, out of your mind, and relax and "air your brain" from the fatigues of the day and then come back in the morning full of "pep" ready to give good measure in the service you have sold them.

Some of our young ladies like to do a little bit of homekeeping in their spare time; one we know of has a wonderful little "cabin home" on the wooded shores of Burrard Inlet. On Wednesdays and Sundays she dispenses hospitality to a chosen friend or two.

We heard of a most entertaining "party" held not so long ago. It would appear that the guests foregathered at a rendezvous to be driven to "Ozocomfy" in another young lady's motor car. They all had a wonderful day of it, notwithstanding the fact that the motor tires blew off, and the gas gave out. They pluckily stuck to the game and arrived home after a most hilarious outing.

Leaving for New Posts at Victoria

Those about to leave Vancouver for their new appointments at Victoria Store are as follows: Mr. Porte, manager; Mr. Stanhope, manager, furniture department; Mr. Marten, manager, draperies; Mrs. Grew, librarian; Mr. Stewart, manager, ladies' shoes; Miss McLaren, manageress, whitewear; Miss Grimason, manageress, ready-to-wear; Mr. Wilkinson, manager, delivery; Mr. Horne, accountant; Mr. McBain, traffic manager.

The Wild Man

EDMONTON

A pyramid of pretty players who are upholding the honor of H.B.C. Edmonton retail in the lively game of basketball. Won one, lost two. More wins soon.

Retail Store Topics

Miss Vera Solick has recently been promoted as assistant to Mr. Briggs in the whitewear section.

Miss Winnie Campbell, of the whitewear department, is leaving, to be married. The event will take place the latter part of June.

Miss A. Lavoy, of the underwear department, leaves on the 1st of July for the coast, a change being absolutely necessary for her health.

Mrs. K. Duncan, our corsetiere, is leaving for Calgary to attend the "Gossard School of Instruction" which is being held in that city.

Miss Ritchie, of the transfer desk, has changed her name. Mr. Yuill, of H.B.C. wholesale department, is the cause of this drastic procedure. The whole store staff tenders them their most hearty congratulations.

Miss Opal Jobe, recently of the whitewear section, has been transferred to the drug department.

Miss E. Rudder, of the library, is once more back in her old place at the stationery counter.

Mr. Saunders, of the drug department, is a newcomer and we welcome him to our ranks.

Miss Lillian Ritchie, bride-to-be, was the recipient of a linen shower, given June 4th by her friends of the store, at the home of Miss Jennie Jones, Bonnie Doon.

A certain buyer on the main floor went fishing during May, but reports that all he caught was a "bully cold." Our buyer didn't get a bite, but as he sat with his friend on the bank of the river he imagined that a big one was trying to take away his pole which was propped among rocks while he went for a drink of gingerbeer. He made a dash for the pole, stumbled on a stone and in trying to avoid a fall, grabbed his companion. They both rolled into the cold waters of the river. Thus ended disastrously a promising fishing excursion.

A. & A.A. Early Season Sports Events

Football—Our team continues to win and is at the head of the league table, having played four league games and won them all by scores of 4-0, 1-0, 5-0, and 7-0, and there seems to be nothing to stop us from annexing the league championship.

Baseball—The baseball team has played three league games so far, and won them all, so they too are strongly in the running, being the only unbeaten side so far.

Basketball—Our girls have played three games since the last report and have won one of them, losing the others by a single point in each instance.

Tennis—The two new tennis courts which have been in course of construction were opened on Friday, June 3rd, and a great number took advantage of the sport provided.

A tournament is being planned. Judging by the number of entrants, it should be a great success.

LET'S FORGET IT BY J. PREST

How much brighter and how much more joyful would this old world be if we all got together and practised that old adage, "Do unto others as ye would that they do unto you."

This world is too full of sorrow and pain already, and we are all too ready to condemn when we ought to condone.

What is the matter with us anyway? If one has taken a false step in the past, is there any reason why they should be given the "cold shoulder," especially when they are endeavouring to lead a straight life?

Man or woman is entitled to a square deal, no matter what the past may have been.

Once the turning point has been passed between right and wrong, and a firm endeavor is made to keep to the "narrow way," then let us help and encourage instead of raking up the past and by so doing help wreck a human soul.

We are all human; many are subject to temptations from which others are immune. It is usually a case of environment, therefore judge not your neighbor harshly.

Let's all try to practice the suggestions in the above poem; let's judge fellow beings by the present—not by the past.

Masquerade Baseball Match Amuses

A big turn-out marked this amusing event on Saturday, June 11th, at the Company's grounds. About two hundred marched from the store, headed by a comic jazz band, dressed in almost every conceivable sort of costume.

On arrival at the baseball grounds the fun began in earnest. A troop of horsemen proved a circus in itself. No less than nine fiery chargers in the persons of Messrs. Crockett, Ferris, Edwards, Fleming, Arnold, Plowman, Crockett Jr., and Hardaker, provided fun which was a "scream" from start to finish.

Frequently the crowd of onlookers were charged by these cavorting and prancing steeds. Towards the end of the evening, however, Crockett's horse had its head knocked off and one or two more lost tails and other parts of their anatomy.

Never had Edmontonians witnessed such a motley crowd as those who took part and attended this masquerade baseball match. The store manager, Mr. F. F. Harker, dressed as a stalwart Chinese Mandarin, umpired the game.

The rival teams were as follows:

"Harmony Has-Beens"—Miss Peterson, Miss Doherty, Miss McEwen, Miss Larandeau, Miss Meghy, Mr. Digney, Mr. McKenzie, Mr. B. Stephens, Mr. Graham.

"Peerless Misfits"—Miss McLeod, Miss Bennet, Mrs. Astley, Miss H. Stephens, Miss Urquhart, Mr. Roberts, Mr. Ferris, Mr. P. Plowman, Mr. Stephens.

Score—"Misfits," 15. "Has-Beens," 8.

Youthful Portrait No. 3

Who is it? Send in your guess now and watch for name next month.

CALGARY

Retail Store News

Officers and Executive of H.B.A.A.A., Season, 1921

Standing—A. Wilkinson, Lou Doll, G. Benson, T. Walsh, H. Lambert, S. McKellar.

Seated—Miss Miller, F. R. Reeve, Secretary; J. S. Smith, Vice-President; J. M. Gibson, President; R. W. Mason, Treasurer; Miss McRay.

New Department

As a sales-stimulant during June it was decided to take two complete sections of the fourth floor and create a new department to be known as Fourth Floor Bargain Centre. This department was opened up in connection with June Stock Unloading Campaign which ran for a period of eight days.

Special advertising called attention not only to Fourth Floor Bargain Centre but to Main Floor Bargain Tables and Rendezvous Bargain Tables as well. Fourth floor signs were placed on all elevators and on different floors calling attention to the bargains to be found there.

Considerable interest has been taken by the staff in the formation of this department and all buyers are very keen to get their merchandise displayed. If this attitude is reflected by the public there is no doubt that the creation of this department will prove a decided success.

Holiday time is here and several members of the staff are enjoying themselves in the country and elsewhere. Miss Burrows, of the ladies' underclothing department, has taken a big risk; she has gone to Ponoka. Hopes are entertained that she will come back greatly benefited by her sojourn there.

Mrs. Marks, who has resided in Vancouver for a few years, has joined the whitewear department. She was formerly employed in the blouse department.

The Adventures of Sales Book No. 666 (Continued from June issue)

After the trouble that resulted from my being lost, of which I told you last month, my owner was for a time very careful where she put me, but when one is doing one thing and thinking of something altogether different it won't be long before there is a mistake made—and sure enough that is what happened.

A lady came up to the counter and my owner, who did not happen to be serving at the time, asked her what she could show her. The customer mentioned some little 10c article. My owner produced what was required and the customer said she would take two. I was then taken up and the sale was written down, but she did not notice, nor did the cashier, who knowing the price and looking on the sale slip for 20c saw that and nothing else. On the sale slip was written 2—— 10|20. It was intended to mean two articles at 10c ea.—20c; but my owner had placed the 10c in the $ column, making it look like $10.20. You cannot imagine how humiliated I felt at the trouble one of my sale slips was, I felt sure, going to cause; however, I will let it tell its own tale.

The Story of Saleslip No. 1

As you know, I am really meant to stand for 20c, but look like $10.20. The cashier, not noticing the error, stamped me Paid, tore me in half, placed the duplicate portion in the parcel and the original on her file with a lot of others. Before long others were put on top of me and I stayed there till store closing time when we were all taken off the file, tied up and taken to the fourth floor and put in a box with a lot of other bundles. In the morning we were taken to the audit department where each bundle was summed up in turn by comptometer operators.

The turn of my bundle soon came; the slips were rapidly added and when it came to me, sure enough into the machine went $10.20. When the total of the bundle was compared with the deposit slip it showed the cashier as being $10.00 short. The bundle was turned back to be re-added; another operator went through it, and arriving at the same total, and it was the same with two others who added the bundle. Mr. Cunningham was then flashed for and the report given to him that the cashier was $10.00 short.

He questioned the cashier but she could not help him. Meanwhile the audit department were sorting the sale slips and when they had all the slips for each salesperson in rotation they compared them with the tallies. When they came to me they saw $10.20 and on the tally only 20c.

They were just about to add $10.00 more on to the tally when they noticed that the article written on my face was only a 10c article. Then they realised that the "10" was out of place and that I represented only 20c. By looking at the cashier's stamp number and referring to the cashier's report they saw she was listed as $10.00 short.

I was then taken to the saleslady who made me out and showed to her. Her only comment was, "Oh, that's nothing, it's only a little out of place."

Note.—The above was an actual occurrence. The sale slip in question was sent to The Beaver but cannot be reproduced here.

700 Attend Eighth Annual Field Sports

With the exception of a short shower, ideal weather and a bumper crowd of joyous members made the eighth annual field day of the H.B.A.A.A. one of the most successful on record.

It was held on Wednesday afternoon, June 8th, on the athletic grounds at Parkdale. The big programme was run off without a hitch.

The membership to date is the highest on record and well over the 400 mark. Mr. Kitson, of the membership committee, promises to reach 500 before the season has passed.

Mr. Mason and his refreshment committee went to a great deal of trouble to make the refreshment end a success, and that they did so will be borne out by each one of the 700 people who partook of them.

Through courtesy of the local military headquarters, the loan of an army field kitchen was obtained which materially helped the handling of the liquid refreshments.

The Happy Throng at H.B.C. Field Day, Calgary, June 8th, 1921

Music was supplied by an all-star band during the afternoon, and the comedy police proved an added feature in patrolling the grounds during the day. They made several amusing arrests and a court was busily engaged in pinning on the assessments.

The police tug-of-war team beat the H.B.C. strongmen handily. This is the same "cop" aggregation that won the title from the firemen at the gymkhana.

A grand prize drawing was held and twenty-four athletic events for men, women and girls during the afternoon. It is regretted that space will not permit to listing here of all the prizes and winners.

THE LAND DEPARTMENT branch at Victoria has removed from the District building on Wharf Street, and is now established at 401 Pemberton building.

Miss McColl Wins Prize in Music Festival

Miss Julia McColl, of H.B.C. credit office staff, won second prize in the contralto solo competition; marks, 86 per cent. and 86 per cent.; total, 172 per cent.

Miss McColl and Miss I. Ramsay also won second prize in vocal duet competition; marks, 83 per cent.

Adjudicators were T. F. Noble, M.A., F.R.C., A.R.C.M., of New York, and Walter Henry Hall, Professor of Choral Music, Columbia 'Varsity, New York.