of the children. The ratepayers of Blanshard help to support 13 schools, 8 of which are located in the municipality.

The young men of the municipality have always responded freely to the call of their country when help was needed in time of war. Their were a large number of the pioneers who took part in the Fenian Raid, previous to coming west, the Northwest Rebellion of 1885. The Boer War of 1899 saw many volunteers from Blanshard and the Great War which (we are still familiar with). In the last struggle for the freedom of the world Blanshard contributed the flower of her manhood.

Many of these young men today rest in Flanders Field. One young man, Alex. Brereton, son of Ex-Reeve Brereton won the coveted honor that the British Empire can bestow on a soldier (The Vic- toria Cross). We are pleased today to have so many of these men living with us and helping us fight the good fight. Perhaps one of the saddest cases from Blanshard was Albert Howden a fine type of manhood, the only son of the late Wm. Howden who took up avia— tion during the Great War and gave great promise of being an im— portant cog in the war machine only to be shot down by an enemy craft while on his first flight in France. As a fitting tribute to those who gave their lives for King and country the Women’s Institute erected in their honor a memorial hall in Oak River.

Blanshard has had 11 reeves in 50 years. Chas. C. McCollum served in 1884. Was defeated by John Brown who served in 1885 but was succeeded by his former rival, Chas. C. McCollum and occupied the chair again for 3 years ’86, ’87, ’88. During ’89 and ’90 I. I. Elliott followed by Wm. Hedley for 5 years from ’91 to ’95. I. N. Fortune took over the reins of power in ’96 and ’97 and C. P. Brereton in ’98 and ’99. Our present sec.-treas. was Reeve from 1900 to 1910 inclusive. John Cardale who had represented Ward 4 for 13 years became Reeve in 1911 and 1912. Edward Henry his successor occupied the chair from 1913 to 1921 inclusive. Wm. Braid acted as chief magistrate from 1922 to 1931 and Mr. C. O. Hyndman during the past 3 years. Ward 1, which I represent has had 7 coun- cillors, 3 of whom have served 41 years. Ward 2 has had 10 and in Ward 3, 12 different men have served that township. Wards 4, 5, and 6 have each had eight local representatives on the council. There have been only 3 councillors in Ward 4 since 1892.

The first honors for long public service goes to Mr. Chas. Win- stone who was councillor for Ward 6 for 32 consecutive years re- tiring in 1929. Mr. Ed. Henry served 27 years, 18 years as coun- cillor and 9 as Reeve. Mr. Cochran our present secretary was Reeve for 11 years and secretary 15 years making 26 years in all. He also was the first president of the Union of Manitoba Municipalities. There have been but two other secretaries. Mr. Miller the first having served 19 years and Mr. G. McIntyre his successor held the position

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