bed institution, established in 1914, and under the charge of a staff
of qualified trained nurses. This was the first hospital in the dis-
trict, and although there are now other small hospitals, and the
public health throughout the district is well eared for by district
doctors and nurses supplied through government aid, the Peace River
hospital is still looked upon as the centre in this regard, and cares
for a large number of patients from all parts of the north country,
particularly surgical and maternity cases.

The town has banking facilities, two telegraph offices and tele-
phone service, newspaper, moving picture theatre, several hotels,
several garages, and all lines of general business houses.

In social organizations there is a wide variety, for in addition
to the several church organizations, there are Masonic, Eastern Star,
Oddfellows, Rebekah and Orange Lodges, Great War Veteran’s
Association, Daughters of the Empire, Women’s Service League,
Women’s Institute and a number of other similar organizations
and clubs.

Amusements and sports include hockey teams, with local skating
rink; curling clubs for both men and women, with a splendid covered
rink; golf, baseball, tennis and other outdoor sports are also well
represented.

Roads from Peace River town radiate to all parts of the northern
districts, and this has made the town largely the outfitting centre
for those taking up land for farming or ranching in every direction,
including the Little Prairie, Battle River, Carecajou and Clear Hills
districts, as it is also the supply centre for the greater part of the
river trade and the hundreds of trappers who go north each fall to
share in the winter fur catch.

A large number of people in referring to the Peace River coun-
try is under the impression that it is a raw pioneer district of
primitive methods and limited means. Such an impression is entirely
erroneous. During the past few years the Peace River country has
forged ahead rapidly, and the new-comer will now be pleasantly
surprised to find it modern beyond his expectations. The people:
generally are prosperous, and cn more than one occasion the district
has been remarked for the high standard of living of both its farmers
and townspeople.

The cost of living in the Peace River district compares very
favorably with any other part of Western Canada or the Western
States. A comparison of prices on staple commodities shows little
variation as between, for instance, Peace River and Calgary. The
entire district is well supplied with stores, and keen competition is
the safety valve that assures the consumer of good service and low
prices. The low freight rates enjoyed by the district make possible
very close. selling, and it is generally found that one may secure his
supplies locally at better advantage than he possibly could by having
them shipped even in large lots from other centres. Moreover, dealers
throughout the district can generally be depended upon to supply
every requirement, from canned goods to caviar, from smocks to
silks, from wrenches to radios, or axe handles to automobiles.

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