PAGE 3


Statistical Information Concerning the Municipality of Argyle for 1898.

The population of the Municipality of Argyle is 3,200. It has 800 resident farmers. Comprises 240,708 acres of which 3,500 acres are wooded and 80000 acres under cultivation. The municipality is exceptionally rich in stock, having 5,000 horses ; 7,000 cattle ; 1,000 sheep; and 4,000 pigs. The assessed value of real and personal pro¬perty is $1,125,000; taxes imposed for general municipal purposes amount to $3,750; school purposes, $11,874; debenture purposes $271.50; judicial and county, $866.00 The total taxes imposed for 1898 being $17,762 00. The assets of she municipality at the first audit were $34,604.52 and the liabili-ties $9,992.55, showing the municipali¬ty's net worth to be nearly $24,000. The debenture indebtedness on the 3lst December 1898 was $1.390. It is hardly possible for any municipality oo be in a better financial condition than is Argyle at the present time.

Water Supply of Argyle.

In this matter of such vital moment to citizens and farmers alike, this municipality may be said to be king among the municipalities of the province. A supply for domestic and stock purposes is obtainable at an average depth of about 24 feet. The water everywhere throughout the district is pure and clear as crystal and free from all alkalical impurities. For instance at Indian Springs, just east of Argyle, the water is of excellent quality so much so that it has become famous as the best in Manitoba. The government well boring machine has been engaged in these parts for over a year and has been a boom to the farmers. This machine is worked for geological information as well as benefiting the farmer, who has the option of having a well bored from 60 to 140 feet deep until the main flow of water is struck, by simply paying for the piping. Over fifty wells were sunk for farmers and in every instance an abundance of pure fresh water was obtained rising from 20 to 8 feet of the top of the hole. Besides there are a number of small lakes and streams; which indeed extending as they do over ihe province give an explanation of the secret of the supply of moisture, and these together with stretches of timbered lands are important in the influ¬ence they bear upon the annual rainfall. There has never been a failure of crops from lack of moisture, which is attributable to this fact.

Our Schools.

The educational system of Argyle is in keeping with the provincial system. It has reached a highly developed and advanced stage throughout the district. In most of the towns

two teachers are engaged in the schools, who are required to have the highest qualifications for their positions and a rigid normal training. The Baldur public school owing to its increasing attendance and standing will next year be raised to that of an intermediate, when another teacher will be added. Rural schools are numerous throughout the district and every child is within three miles of a schoolhouse. The standard of these schools is high and from the older ones many scholars have successfully passed for third and second class certificates. The law for the establishment or schools is very simple. To form and re-adjust school districts lies with the municipal council. Parts can be formed into school districts, provided there are ten children of school age (5 to 16) living within the territory in question, being within a limit of 20 square miles The money to build a school is obtained from the government. The school district can issue debentures for an amount not larger than seven hundred dollars; bearing interest at six per cent and payable in ten annual installments. The maintenance of the schools is provided for in the following manner:

The government gives $130 a year for each teacher employed, or proportionaly if the school is not kept open all the year. The municipal council also gives a grant of $240 upon the same basis. If any extra money is required it is raised by a special levy on the school district itself. This system enables new settlements to open schools, whereas if they had to contribute to the entire support themselves they could not possibly do so. To secure efficiency schools must be conducted in accordance with the regulations of the Department of Education Each school district is managed by three trustees who hold office for three years, one being elected each year at an annual meeting of the ratepayers, when all affairs of the district are open to discussion and criticism by any ratepayer. The trustees engage the teacher, look after the school, visit it regularly, and in general have full control of school matters.

The rural schools of Argyle with one exception are substantial frame buildings mostly on stone foundations, the exception is a handsome new brick school house which has just been completed in the the Welsh  S. D. and is located about four miles southwest of the town of Baldur. There are at the present time 20 schools in the municpality showing that the education of the young is receiving every considera-tion from the inhabitants, and that no child need grow up in ignorance from lack of the facilities for receiving a good sound general education.

FARMING FOR PROFIT IN MANITOBA.
By a Farmer of Eighteen Years Experience.

First on coming to Manitoba if a man has no capital (whether single or married) he will do best to work for some responsible progressive farmer for at least 6 months, the


Our Heritage  Resources / This Index