1914-12-08aga

At the December 7, 1914 meeting of the Dundas town council, a deputation of citizens appeared to present a proposal regarding a public Christmas tree to the politicians :

          “Their idea was to erect a tree on the market square on Tuesday evening, December 22, and have the citizens of the town attend in a body and spend part of the evening in singing Christmas carols, led by the Salvation army band.

          “Every child in town will receive a bag of candy off the tree. The idea of a municipal Christmas tree has never been carried out in Canada, but has been in the United States, according to Mr. Davidson who submitted a sketch setting forth the plan.

          “The deputation expected to raise a large part of the necessary funds by public subscription, but requested the council to assist financially and give permission for the placing of the tree on the market.”¹

               ¹ “Good Cheer For All Kiddies : Dundas to Have Public Christmas Tree”

          Hamilton Spectator. December 8, 1914.

          The Dundas municipal politicians received the deputation politely but were not prepared to agree to all the requests :

          “The mayor, Reeve Davis and Councillors Moss and Mahony did not think that the council had any authority to grant any financial assistance for the purposes of pleasure in view of the present conditions, but at the suggestion of W. A. Davidson the council granted the use of the market square and agreed to furnish the tree for the purpose.”¹