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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