ful results in that direction. An instructor in marching
and other military drill, who prepares teachers as assistant
instructors, is another feature of the Winnipeg school sys—
tem, and a general inspection of the school children of the

city by this experienced officer, when at the close of a ses- ,

sion they are paraded under their teacher officers, is one of
the most inspiring sights ever made by a gathering of
children. The city has the right man in this position, Major
T. H. Billman, a military man capable of handling a brigade
of men, and yet one who will take the greatest pains and
patience with a small squad of fresh recruits. Truly VVin—
nipe-g’s whole common school organization is one of which
any community might well feel proud; and all its advan—
tages are available for the children of its citzens free of
charge, for elementary eitivcation is free in Winnipeg.

There are quite a number of private elementary schools,
two of the most prominent of which are Havergal College,
controlled by the Anglican church, and St. Mary’s Academy,
under the management of an Order of Sisters, who have
done great work here for over a quarter of a century in the
education of girls. Then there are the colleges for higher
education, St. Boniface, under the control of the Roman
Catholic church, St. John’s, under the Anglican church,
Manitoba, under the Presbyterian, and Wesley, under the
Methodists. There is also a well organized Medical College,
as well as a Pharmaceutical Institute. Above all is the Uni-
versity of Manitoba, with which all these colleges are in
affiliation. The university is a teaching institution only in
a limited sense, but it holds all the power for conferring de—
grees. It is strictly undenominational in a religious sense,
and all religious denominations seem to work harmoniously
under its charter. It confers its degrees and bestow-s its
honors on men irrespective of their creed, race, nationality
or color. Last must be noted the Deaf Mute College, a Pro—
vincial institution for the education of such pupils. The
college is a monument to the true philanthropy of the people
of the Province, and a visit to the institution and inquiry
into its workings under Principal McDermaid and his assist—
ants is almost as interesting a treat to the visitor as the city
can. furnish.

The religious, moral and social view of the city cannot
be more aptly and concisely summed up than by quoting a
paragraph from the pen of the writer, an extract from a
booklet lately published:

“ No claim can be laid in Winnipeg to a community of
austere alleged saints. The people are too active and practi—
cal for that. The city has over sixty churches belonging to
different denominations, or nearly one to each 1,000 of the
population. About a dozen different sects are represented.
$200,000 will not more than cover the cost of church build—
ing for 1902—3, and the buildings are not purely ornamental,
for in VV‘innipeg citizens attend church. Avowed religious
sceptics are very rare, and yet there is an utter absence of
sectarian bigotry or religious rancour. These are commodi—
ties the climate will not support, and they soon wilt and die
after they are imported. Morallv the city stands away
above the average of far west centres. There is no dangerous
criminal class, and crime is as a rule limited to trifling mis—
demeanors for a city magistrate to deal with. About a
score of police easily keep order, and life and limb is safe;
and the secret depravity not easily reached by law, does not
exist in lVinnipeg. Socially Winnipeg takes the palm. The
city has scores of palatial mansions inhabited by wealthy
men of plain practical ideas, whose greatest aim is the work
of building up commercially, industrially, socially and mor—
ally the city they live in. Winnipeg has hundreds of smaller
cottages and villa homes occupied by men of limited means,
who are equally earnest in the same commendable work. The
city has in her university and colleges teachers of continental
fame, who devote much of their efforts towards the commun—
ity’s upbuilding also. In outdoor sports the city seems to
revel, especially during winter, when all spare time is taken.
up with the round of skating, curling, snowshoeing, hockey,
football and other contests, in which all distinctions of
wealth, nationality, race and such like are completely lost,
and in which the city has more than once turned out cham—
pions for the Dominion. The upbuilding of their own city
and its supremacy in sports seems to be general aims, earn—
estly and keenly followed by all; and in a community with
so much united earnestness of aim. there is immunity from
the rigid social grading too common in older communities,
where wealth, social standing and other advantages are
largely matters of inheritance. Winnipeg has in its com—
munity a full share of education, culture and true refine—
ment, but the ‘ snob’ is there an animal as yet unevolved.”

 

 

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