MUNICIPALITIES—When it is remembered that the settlement
of the Peace River country has been progressing little more than ten
years, it is not to be wondered at that there are few fully organized
municipalities. The town of Peace River was incorporated as a village
in 1914, and as a town municipality in 1917. The country surrounding
on the north, east and south is known as “wnorganized territory.” In
other words, tax collections, road buildings and all such matters are
under direct supervision of the provincial department of municipal
affairs.

Brief outlines regarding the two Municipalities of Peace and Fair-
view, which include some seventy miles west of the Town of Peace
River, are given herewith.

THE MUNICIPAL DISTRICT OF PEACE

The Municipal District of Peace, No. 857, was organized in the
year 1917, and consists of all of Townships 80, 81, 82 and 83, in Range
21, 22, 23, 24, 25 and 26 north of the Peace River and west of the fifth
meridian. |

Seventy-five per cent. of the settlers in this municipality have re-
ceived title to their land from the Dominion Government. Any land
now open for homestead entry in this Municipal District is either bush
lands or lands more adapted for grazing purposes. Improved farms
can be purchased at prices ranging from $10.00 to $35.00 per acre, the
price being regulated by the stage of development and improvements.

Taxes are levied on an assessment based on the value of the land
without improvements, and average from $25.00 to $40.00 per quarter
section.

This figure includes municipal, provincial government, and school
taxes.

The total assessed valuation of the district for the year 1925 was
$1,708,516.00.

Since the municipality was organized approximately $68,000.00
has been spent in the construction of roads and bridges. This work
is under the direct supervision of six councillors elected by the rate-
payers.

During the same period thirteen school districts have been estab-
lished and schools built. A board of trustees elected by the ratepay-
ers of the respective school districts attend to the management of the
school, and all taxes are collected and disbursements made from the
Municipal Office which is centrally located in the Hamlet of Berwyn.

The district is served by the Central Canada Railway with two
passenger and two freight trains running each week between the pre-
sent end of steel at Whitelaw, and Edmonton.

General, hardware and implement stores carrying stock sufficient
to meet the requirements of the district are located at the chief trad-
ing centres at Grimshaw, Berwyn and Brownvale.

Community Halls attending to the social life of each community
will be found in each district.

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