Throughout this year, we have looked back to 1867 in New Westminster in recognition of the 150th anniversary of the Confederation of Canada. Now, as this anniversary year is drawing to a close, we will look a little further at this city in the late days of 1867.
Early in December of 1867 there was a major article in the local press. The article, entitled “The Dominion Parliament,” marked the first session of the Dominion of Canada, which was opened by Lord Monck. He congratulated the Commons on the consummation of Confederation and a major quote sets up the country of today: “It laid the foundation of a new nationality that, he trusted and believed, would ere long extend its bounds from the Atlantic to Pacific oceans.”
On a lighter note, a new publication was introduced for purchase. The publication was a “Weekly Paper of Fashions called Harper’s Bazaar. It is the best thing in the fashion line yet issued. Each number contains six pages of plates besides a sheet of patterns and 10 pages of reading matter.” A year’s subscription in New Westminster was $7.50.
It was noted the consecration of the newly rebuilt church, Holy Trinity, in New Westminster, took place on Dec. 18. It was noted as being the “first stone church and the finest edifice of the kind erected on the British Pacific.”
One description of the weather certainly left a mixed impression. “The weather, which had been clear and frosty, thickened towards evening and yesterday morning found all nature decked in white, snow having fallen to a depth of about two inches. Little or no snow fell yesterday and the thickening clouds towards evening appeared to give promise of rain.”
The Governor and Lady Seymour had arrived in the Royal City on board the steamer, Enterprise, the vice-regal party landing at Government House at the Camp, former site of the Royal Engineers detachment. The vessel then headed back downriver to the city’s main docks where the remaining passengers and cargo were landed. The Enterprise then returned to Victoria.
A few days later, a large holiday party was held for the community at Government House in celebration of the Christmas season and New Year’s. The paper noted that “The invitations were, we understand, very general, and the attendance was large.”
And so we have a final look at day-to-day life in 1867 as the Royal City wrapped up an important year.
