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   Another new enterprise has been started by an outsider, Mr. G.A. Wartman, who seems to be endowed with the proverbial three P's, push, pluck, and principle, in his new undertaking. He has wisely purchased the property of the Roger's estate, which was in a tumble down condition, at a very low figure, and changed the whole into a solid filled-in wharf, model storehouse, and coal building. The next is a mill for cracking grain for feed purposes. The machinery for elevating grain saves a great deal of horse power and manual labor.

 

   We are glad to see that outsiders are beginning to find out, and those who have begun business here are beginning to realize that we have advantages that few villages offer.

 

   We notice of late that our "press" correspondents, in their "Bath items" as a rule neglect to show up our business advantages, which all other places do, which neglect favours a few worthless persons here whose only business is to hunt up those who come here to look up business interests, and send them away with the expression "Poor Bath" on their lips, which has become a by-word to outsiders. We beg to show that we are not poor, and that the adjective "poor" is a misnomer when applied to Bath. In the first place, our public school is not a poor one, when we invariably select the best teachers, who turn out more candidates for the higher grades than any village in the county having no higher school. Our town council is not poor, when we have available funds over and above building etc. assets in cash or its equivalent of about $2500. Our school-board having the same about, and our whole tax not to exceed and average of 24 mills on the dollar. We average two paupers whom our village supports. Our merchants are not poor all are in good standing with a fair credit one of whom in particular has always paid 100 cents on the dollar when asking credit.

 

   Mr. D.W. Ball, is as usual doing a large trade in the grain, coal and lumber business, is business like, and obliging, and has done considerable in building up and encouraging trade.

 

   Our evaporator, the first enterprise started here of late, is in a flourishing condition under the management of Mr. Ellis (foreman). the proprietors are well pleased with their investment here. our cheese factory is in a flourishing condition and Mr. Forrester is giving good satisfaction to his patrons.

 

   Mr. E. McKenty is doing a good and safe general business, running two stores in connection; also engaged in the coal business &c.

 

   Mr. Robert Mott is always open for trade, and doing a brisk business principally groceries, provisions, fruit etc.

 

   Mr. Hall, tinsmith, and dealer in stoves, etc. and one of our late comers is succeeding well, having built of late a fine dwelling an store combined, during his short stay here.

 

   Mr. Covert is doing a lively business in fruit and sweet meats, groceries, etc. in connection with his tailoring shop.

 

   Our resident Joseph Gardener who has tried to make his fortune in all parts of the North West and Pacific Coast, has of late at last completed a fine dwelling and store attachment, and engaged in the store and undertaking business, and is here to stay. He has lost a good deal of money and time abroad, but has been successful since his return.

 

   Maxwell Robinson and the firm of J. and L. Armstrong, successors of Belfour & Armstrong, are doing well in the carriage business and giving the best satisfaction to their customers.

 

   Overton Ball since his return from the States has succeeded in building up a good bakery and grocery, etc. business, and he too is here to stay.

 

   Chas. Burley is the only butcher at present here, and would like to have another come in for the sake of a healthy competition, believing that "competition is the life of trade."

 

   Our two hotels act up to the letter of law, affording every accommodation for their guest, one of the proprietors runs a billiard table on well conducted principles.

 

   Our summer resort kept by Mr. and Mrs. Edwards is noted for holding its guests, and so crowded that they contemplate making additions to prepare for the increase of tourists and others that will flock here the coming season when the net fishing will no longer be allowed in any part of the bay. This will no doubt call for another resort which we are told is contemplated. A site for which can be gotten cheap. Some there are who think that opposition in trade is against them, but this is not so when not overdone, for what is lost in one way is gained in another viz. increase of customers.

 

   Now about our harbor. There can be no better on the Bay of Quinte with one exception, McDonald's cove, both of which lied close together, with the lake light-house between, and at the junction of the bay with the lake. Both these harbors, from choice by boats coming down the bay or from the lake, or vice-versa, can be entered and remain safe from any storm. Our anchorage all along our front is of the best. Our fisheries here excel all others on "Bay Quinte", a depot for all kinds of fish in bay or lake is established. We have the roomiest bass or perch grounds in easy reach, with plenty of experienced fishermen to guide the strangers and provide suitable boats. We have daily steamers to all points and railway connection likewise. Telegraph and telephone lines with all outside places, good air, pure water, and no mosquitoes black flies or other pests, no malaria, the best of physicians an d an efficient board of health who keep every thing, in a good sanitary condition. No epidemic can come here to stay for there is nothing for it to feed on and is at once stamped out.

 

   In this antiquated village the tourist and visitor has something to learn and see. Here can be seen the oldest church (over a century) in Canada that is in a good state of preservation. Here is the site of the highest seat of learning in what was then called Upper Canada, and here on our west end (Finkle's Point) was where the first steamers were built that plied on Lake Ontario after this village became the centre of ship building, here is where fortunes have been made and indiscreetly spent abroad, when they should have been spent at home to build up and make a city. Notwithstanding this draw back, had it not been for the cupidity of a few who held the land property, and who exacted so high a price for so much as would build a station for the Grand Trunk caused the officials of that road to locate as far from Bath as suited their convenience. These persons saw their error too late to mend. Subsequently however when the old officials of this road were removed and the old score forgotten our council moved a resolution that C.L. Rogers, clerk of the council, would confer with superintendent of Grand Trunk asking for a loop line to run into our village beginning a short distance east of Ernestown station, and terminating a short distance this side of Fredericksburgh station and do away with a heavy grade in favor of his road. This scheme was considered feasible and engineers were appointed and surveyed the land for the loop, which they reported favourable, but we not having manufacturing and trade enough to support the outlay in the removal of their station etc., abandoned the project. I mention this to show what we need to bring the road here and I believe in the near future we will succeed, if we encourage manufacturing and other industries, if not an electric road can be built cheaply to suit our purpose and convenience in tapping the Grand Trunk.

 

   I have a communication from one of the wealthy firms in Oswego, N.Y., in answer to the questions if we succeed in getting the loop which would open the north part of the country trade. Would it be any advantage to your man of capital to invest here in promoting trade relation between here and Oswego. The answer was favourable, but the project failed them. Now that we know the cause let us not lose sight of the next opportunity by encouraging trade. What we need now is a canning factory, a seed house and a flour mill etc.   

E. Burley

 

 

 

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