Taxes
June 11th 1919
C.O. Hicks Esqre M.A.
Sir
I have today received your comprehensive and very clear letter of the 9th inst. & thank you.
I have written off to our Chairman asking him to a arrange for a Special Public Meeting, on Saturday, June 21st.
I know what a good education means, thank God! and I quite agree with the Deputy Minister when he says that provision must be made for the education of Sylvan children.
That is all right in theory! If we were in England, where the Tax Collector stands next to the Undertaker and will not be denied, no matter what happens (end of p.47)
of course, this money would be found - and pretty sharp!
But we are in Canada! We are living in a country where the majority of people appear to make it a profession to (by hook or by crook) wriggle out of their responsibility to pay just Taxes. And now the Government passes that wicked "Tax Arrears Act 1919" which simply puts a premium on dishonesty and penalizes the few of us who have honourably met our obligations. Even in this enlightened Village people are openly saying that taxes need not now be paid.
What is the use of talking about running a School in the Sylvan District when, although the Tax Notices were sent out March 30th, I have only received $24.40 from 4 Taxpayers besides (end of p.48)
the splendid cheque ($125.60) from the Western Canada Land Co.? And you tell me a Teacher would cost $900 a year besides all other expenses. - The man who is causing us all this worry and trouble owes us 4 years Taxes, If the Department will show us how to rake in all the Taxes that are owing I know that my Board (consisting of three good honourable men) will do their level best to give a good education to the S. D. Children. I shall ask the Western Canada Land Co. to send a Representative to our Public Meeting. -
Yours respectfully
Thomas Street
(49)
June 21st 1919
C.O. Hicks Esq. M.A.
Sir
I hope you received my letter of June 11th. -
We held a big Special Public Meeting in the Sylvan School District today. Everybody was there - The talking was unlimited. Nothing done because of unpaid Taxes and we can't make bread without flour - Recommendations to the Board of Trustees were made
The Board met afterwards.
Minutes as under. -
"Moved by A.D. Percival & carried: That the Secretary write to Mr. Hayes, the M.D. Surveyor, urgently requesting his Board to, at once,(end of p.50)
2) open out a road from SE2 54-4-5 up to SW24 53-4-5 about a mile, to enable the Children to reach a School more easily."
Moved by J.H. Halhead and carried;
That the Department of Education be respectfully asked to put back to the Sylvan School District the two quarter sections SW24 53-4-5 and SE24 53-4-5; as it already embraces the two N. quarters; and on the SW quarter stands the Building, fully equipped, formerly rented and used as a school."
The opinion very strongly expressed at the Public Meeting that nothing whatsoever can be carried out until money is found, was endorsed.
The only thing against this Building is that it is nearly 5 miles, by present & only trails, from (end of p.51)
3) the home of some of the Children which damns it in the opinion of those Parents.
About $200 was spent on it 5 years ago. Furniture and books are still there, ready for use at once if owner (who is in Army) will allow it; providing Teacher can be paid, which is utterly impossible, unless the Department can rake in the Taxes which I can't. -
If you can show us how to get the money, without driving away the very few Taxpayers, we are longing to educate our Sylvan S.D. Children. -
If we pay the parents what they seem to expect for conveying it would cost more than running a School for 6 months a year only. -
Yours repectfully
Thomas Street
(52)
August 22nd 1919
To
The Sylvan S.D. Trustees
Sirs
I have received no Tenders as to Conveyances, not even from the Parents of the Children who sometimes appear to be so very anxious to get their Children educated.
Now is their chance which they are throwing away. -
Will you please let me have your instructions quickly, as to what I am now to do. -
As you are aware the last letter from the Department reads: -
"I do hope, Mr. Street, that your Trustees will do their business quickly since the Deputy Minister will appoint an Official Trustee for Sylvan S.D. if you have not provided educational facilities for your Children by Sept. 1st."-
Thomas Street - Sec.
(53)
(FROM) The Deputy Minister
Department of Education
Edmonton, Alberta
Edmonton, September 15, 1919.
Sir: -
I have the honour by direction to inform you that Mr. A. Simpson of the Department of Education, has been appointed Official Trustee of the Sylvan School District No. 1739, to have full charge of the affairs of this district from the date hereof and during the pleasure of the Minister of Education. Kindly see that all books, papers, vouchers and moneys belonging to the district are handed to Mr. Simpson.
Your obedient servant,
J.T. Ross
Deputy Minister.
Thos. Street, Esq.,
Sec., Sylvan S.D. No. 1739,
Wabamun, Alberta.
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