The early establishment of mail facilities
is one most active aids to the settlement of a new country. This aid has
not been lacking in this part of the Northwest in the past, nor is it at
this point at present. But with influx of population and increase of
trade consequent upon the construction of the railway, the need of
improved mail facilities at outlying points has become most pressing, if
these facilities are to keep pace with the progress of the country; if
indeed the lack of them is not to be a par to progress. The recent
establishment of a postoffice with a weekly mail service in the
important Sturgeon settlement is a step in the right direction that has
only been taken after the most persistent pressure, and after hope of
success had often been abandoned. Even now the method of service is such
as to detract very seriously from the usefulness of the office. Instead
of mail being carried directly from Edmonton, twelve miles, on the
arrival of trains, it is carried first to St. Albert, nine miles, and
then after lying over night goes on nine miles more to the Sturgeon
office, only three miles less distance than would give a direct service
from Edmonton. There may be a saving to the department in hauling the
Sturgeon mail only nine miles instead of giving the direct service of
twelve, but when this saving is made at such a loss of efficiency in the
service it ceases to be a saving and becomes an actual loss.
Within the year there has arisen the
necessity for a mail service to a post office on the Stony Plain, the
most important settlement west of Edmonton. There are now in that
settlement not less than 50 resident heads of families, who are from 15
to 25 miles from Edmonton, which is their nearest post office. To the
west of the Stony Plain there are two saw mills, employing a large
number of hands all the year round, and these also have to bring their
mail from Edmonton. To merely state the facts is to prove the necessity
of a post office on the Stony Plain with at least a weekly service.
The new settlement in the Beaver Hills,
only a little off the present mail route between Clover Bar and Fort
Saskatchewan, could be served so cheaply that there is no reason why the
movement now being made for a post office should not be successful.
Beaver lake settlement, by reason of its
present importance and prospects of rapid increase, is certainly
entitled to something better than the monthly service offered by the
government. A new settlement has recently been established on the mail
route between Fort Saskatchewan and Victoria at a point about twenty
miles distance from Beaver lake. An office there and a branch service to
Beaver lake would cost but little, especially in comparison with the
effect in aiding the development of an immense area of most desirable
country. An increase of the service to Victoria from fortnightly to
weekly with the same to Beaver lake is certainly more than warranted.
Beyond Victoria there are three important
points, of large standing, that have never yet been granted a mail
service. These are Saddle lake, 35 miles beyond Victoria, Whitefish lake,
30 miles beyond Saddle lake, and Lac la Biche, 50 miles beyond Whitefish
lake. At Saddle lake is the Indian agency for the district and two
missions, while beyond there is a most magnificent country for farming
and stock raising. Saddle lake is also an important point for trade. At
Whitefish lake there is a large civilized Indian settlement, a Methodist
mission and government instruction farm. At Lac La Biche there is a
large halfbreed settlement, and a very important Roman Catholic mission
establishment, including an orphanage, school, hospital, etc. Lac la
Biche is the most important fur trading point in the district. A mail
service to Saddle lake and Whitefish lake would greatly facilitate the
working of the Indian department and would only shift the cost from the
Indian to the post office department, while the public would incidentally
benefit from the change as the Indian department is compelled to carry
its own mail from Victoria now. The important interests being and
centering at Lac la Biche warrant the establishment of a postoffice
there long ago, and it is to be hoped that no time will now be lost in
extending the mail service to that point.
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