Raybestos Manhattan Award VIVIAN COUSINS Being presented with her award by Peter Jones. AS THE E SEVENTIES GIVE WAY TO THE 7-7 Tre ear ese) | Pang fake opportune — time to reflect on. _ Much more. has_ changed, ‘some for the good and Whatever | ‘ what the last 10 years has meant to Cassiar and to surmise what could happen in the next decade. In 1970 Cassiar had a population of about 900 people, half of whom lived in single accommod- ations. A new mill extension had just been added, which increased fibre production from 270 tons per day to nearly 400 tons per day. Waste remov- al in the pit was running around 4,000,000 bank cubic yards per annum. By 1973 the new grocery store had been built and a new concentrator was added to the mill. The years 1974, 1975 and 1976 were very busy ones; waste removal in the pit had failed to keep up with the amount of ore taken out, and a con- tractor had to:be hired to accelerate waste remov- al. Millions of dollars were spent on new equip- ment — 2 new P & H electric shovels, fourteen large haulage trucks and a new rotary drill. A new ‘ tramline to deliver ore to the mill was built in 1975 in order to put an end to the continual truck haul between the mine and plantsite. This was also the time when the present environmental programme was started — a programme which will continue into the 1980's. _ i S The growth of Cassiar townsite accelerated in 1976 when 55 homes were added, followed by 33 more a year later. By 1978 the population had r1i- sen to 1800 people — doubling in less than eight years! Other facilities and services grew — artificial ice in the arena,-a swimming poot, a theatre and new ski tow. The school grew te accommodate the children from the larger number of families in town, and eyentually, to show we really had be- come civilized, a new sewage plant and chlorinat- ed water. ; Mine waste removal has risen to over 6,000,000 b.c.y. per affum -and fibre output has increased to 109,000 tons, compared with 88,000 tons in 1971: This will swell’ the numbers of a ee some not so welcome, but that is often the price of progress. . Looking forward to the 80’s, the changes may not be so great, but are nonetheless significant. Cassiar town has matured in the last two years and is at last being recognized by Government. By the end of 1980 we hope to see a 3000‘sq. foot Government Agent’s office, which will provide ICBC coverage and the various licenses previously handled through Town Administration. In ad- dition, space will be available for the Human Re- sources office and Government health nurse and a courtroom. There is also strong rumor that the B.C. Dept. of Highways will move a camp into Cassiar this coming summer, which should ensure that the road out to the junction is kept in good condition. Perhaps too, we will see the ‘Provincial Government accept their responsibility for the hospital, considering it serves not only Cassiar but also Iskut, Telegraph Creek, Dease and Good Hope Lake. Private enterprise. is also showing increasing inter- est in our area, there are more stores around town than ever before — but still only enquiries from interested parties wishing to build a shopping cen- tre. Neither can we positively say there will be a hotel, but we should have a service station, situ- ated- next to the new Finning shop, by fall. Fur- ther on into the 80’s, we may well find Cassiar will become incorporated and perhaps the grocery ~ store and dry goods store will be taken over by private enterprise. The present increased mining activity has —certain- ly not missed this area, although Erickson Gold Mine is the only new producing mine. It is likely, though, that one or two small gold mines will open in the next year and perhaps a large mine will be found before the middle of the decade. people in the area and bring more pressure on government for better roads and increased services. a A S erate the Voice of Cassiar Country _ January 1980 Pita ies 10 cents 1. Has been active in the Catholic Parish Council for a number of years and also performs secretarial duties for Our Lady of Lourdes Church, o 2. Has.contributed many hours into the production of the “Asbestos Sheet” and “‘Cassiar Courier’, at all times providing a source of expertise and advice to the other members of the staff. 3. Has given of her time to do volunteer work at the Cassiar Elementary- Secondary School, especially in the Learning Assistance Centre. 4. Has co-ordinated and taught catechism classes at Our Lady of Lourdes Church for many years. 5. Has organized and helped at drives for collections for needy people in the community and has opened her home to young people, giving them not only a place to stay but the caring atmosphere of a true home. 6. Has frequently volunteered her time to help various charitable organizat- ions in the community. mae fileased to present tee sor elgg happens in _Cassiar will be cost. for an 85 jor replacement equipment to keep the operation going will be about over the next five years. Added to this will be other additions and modifications to improve en- vironmental conditions, and increase mill recov- ery in order to help C.A.C. maintain competitive. ness in the market place. By 1983 the mill paul be producing 120,000 tons of fibre per year.. At present the demand for Cassiar’s fibre is still fairly good, but the dropping of sanctions against Rhodesia will increase competition, especially as they may haye stockpiles which they may be pre- pared to sell at reduced prices to earn foreign cur- rency. The high cost of borrowing’ money and high inflation will also affect C.A.C.’s competit- iveness — especially the rapidly rising cost of fuel. As the user of 6,000,000 gallons of diesel fuel a year Cassiar Mine is one of the largest users in B.C. and, therefore, hit harder by the fuel price hikes than some of our competitors, who have | hydro-electric supplies. A study has been initiated by C.A.C. for possible hydro-electric. sites in this area, but even if a suitable site is found, the huge capital cost involved will mean that the power generated will not be cheap. However, it would assure us of continuing energy supplies, whereas the flow of fuel could be cut at any time! Much of the uninspiring economic picture of the — next few years is typical of anywhere in North — ‘America; unemployment is expected to rise, al- though not for the skilled person, inflation will run from 8. - 10% and the overall standard of liv- ing will drop. Cassiar- will not be. immune to these trends, but by increasing efficiency and stable markets we may be affected less than many areas. . by P. C. Jones Jan. 5, 1980. affected ot sete — greatly by what happens at the Mine. With the bre ton haulage truck now .over $450, 000 and climbing, the ongoing costs for ma- $17,500,000 (1980 dollars) — 1H i j h i Val ny } i) ‘yet AE 4) 3 See SSeS SS