Hotel again occupied council. The trustees of the hotel venture had found it necessary to borrow $3,000 and the bank Wished repayment. More money could be raised if the Town would guarantee the amount through the issuing of a debenture. Council, through a public statement, stated that if the by—law was ratified, the corporation would not be called upon to pay any part of the debenture. This, according to the newspaper, was quite illegal and no doubt the citizens would defeat the lay-law. This they did 56-61 and the Queens was then offered for sale.

At this time, Councillor Stone left his seat and his place was taken by A. McKinnon who defeated the first lady aspirant to office, Mrs. P. Mellvride. Matters continued on an even and quiet keel for some time until the matter of Tom Parker vs. the Town hit the headlines.

It seems that Mr. Parker refused to sign an electric light committee agreement, claiming that if he did, certain aspects of the agreement would force him to pay all expenses incurred inside the powerhouse, barr— ing breakages. Also he would be required to install and remove meters, inspect the poles and lines and repair same at his own expense. Mr. Parker continued in his communication to council, that he was not to spend, at the worst, more than his salary! Upon receipt of the letter, Town Council let it be known that his services would no longer. be required after May 31, 1922.

Conditions in the agreement seemed rather harsh and indeed Mayor Flaws stated in newspaper articles that he wished to have such clauses removed. Meanwhile, an electrician from Medicine Hat, arrived one day, sized up the situation and left the next!

The citizens now jumped into the act. Articles written to the newspapers demanded a change of policy. A petition signed by almost all the business men, was presented to Council who immediately filed it and made arrangements for J. Flaws Jr. to run the plant. Many wondered it he had to sign the same agreement as Parker was presented with.

More petitions, more meetings, more talk and more questions were in the works from then on. Mrs. Mcflrride, after examing Town records, felt that Mr. Parker was never dimissed, but illegally forced to leave his work. Now Councillor Rogers retired and his place was contested and won by Mrs. Mollvride who became the first lady councillor in Rapid City. Coun- cillor Priestly also resigned but Council declined to accept his resignation. At the same time d. Flaws Jr. was offered $125 a month as engineer.

Now, according to the newspaper, “began a period of iii-fighting, name—calling, letter-writing, scheming and taxoodges such as are seldom seen in a small community.” Councillor McIlvride alone said nay to a by—law appointing J , Flaws Jr. as engineer and nay to signing an agreement brought in by the electric light committee. The next little while saw a confrontation between Mayor Flaws and Councillor McIlvride with profound lengthy statements issued from both sides.

Now if that wasn‘t enough, more problems of a different nature appeared. It seems that several in- dividuals had not met their obligations to pay taxes. A letter from an irate citizen stated that she would pay all arrears if certain council members would pay their

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three year outstanding tax debts. This really sparked another uproar! Councillor Priestly handed in his resignation but again Council declined to accept.

Meanwhile, the electric plant lay idle but the Reporter wasn’t. Editorials demanding better service followed others which stated that financially the elec~ tric service was in poor shape with costs for salaries, debentures and interest accumulating. A special meeting was called and a motion for the dismissal of the engineer had no seconder. Another special meeting the next week had Councillor McKinnon resigning while Mrs. McIlvricle continued to press for the dis- missal of the engineer. Yet another meeting had Engineer Flaws attempt to explain the difficulties at the plant. Councillor Mollvride’s motion to dismiss him was seconded by Councillor Swann and the motion carried.

One would think from reading the above that only civic affairs occupied the minds of the residents. Not true. Other matters saw a proposal to have a church union between the Methodists anad Presbyterians. A vote had the Methodists unanimously vote amalgama- tion while only 30 out of 56 Presbyterians favoured such a move.

Those who bought on credit received a jolt when 14 businessmen agreed to go on a “pay as you buy policy”, beginning in May 1 of 1922. Shortly thereafter, Lockbart and Birkinshaw’s garage business was taken over by C. Solder: and W. Bollman, H. Budnil: had a harness and shoe repair business, G. Long Boon operated a laundry, Dr. S. Dickson offered his dental services every Thursday and D. McRae catered to peo- ple requiring a garage.

More pioneers were laid to final rest: T. Cot- tingham, harness maker of 1833; D. McNaught of 1381 legislative representative, veterinary and former mayor; J. Bolton, local barber and J . Duncan pioneer since 1888.

A provincial election in 1922 provided the next round of news with T. Wolstenholme winning over J. McConnell.

Defeat also came to the Rapid City Lacrosse team which lost 10-6 after a tie the previous game.

As fall approached, the steamer which had provided power for some months, now was required for fall threshing. The budget of $3,009 for the elec« trical utility had now mushroomed to $3300 and accor- ding to the Reporter, that was unacceptable.

During election time, E. Riesberry won the mayor’s position and Mrs. Mellvride lost to L. Woollcombe by a 33-26 count.

Thus 1922 drew to a close. Certainly it was a year to remember for some time to come!

1923 ~— A stormy beginning is the best description for early Jan. of 1923. Snow and cold disrupted rail traffic, reduced mail service and precipitated a coal crisis. Fuel dealers placed their customers on a ration basis, even as a snowplowing train unit derailed attempting to reach Rapid City. The fuel shortage con— tinued well into April when T. Eaton Co. Creamery was able to acquire a car load of coal.

As soon as that emergency ceased, another took its place —— the threat of floods. Ice jams occurred and as a result approaches were washed out. Train service to