1914-12-01lp

As December 1914 arrived, war consciousness was firmly entrenched in virtually all aspects of society in Hamilton.

On December 1, 1914, the Spectator reported that officials with the Hamilton Board of Education had received instructions from the Hon. Dr. Pyne, Ontario Minister of Education directing that the schools should have “a  to an increased  to an increased knowledge concerning the present war.”¹

¹ “War Topics : Pupils Will Be required to Be Familiar With Them.”

Hamilton Spectator.   December 1, 1914.

The minister had sent out a circular announcing that the upcoming departmental examinations in the courses in English, Canadian and European history would have to include questions dealing with topics related to the war currently being waged:

“It is also desired that knowledge of these topics be required as one of the tests of promotion from grade to grade.”¹

The Minister of Education also urged that  “generously disposed citizens, as well as school boards, shall offer prizes for essays on one or more phases of the present struggle.”¹

In response, Charles Booker, chairman of the internal management committee of the Hamilton Board of Education, declared himself in favor of the idea of educating Hamilton students on aspects of the war:

“He thought anything tending to an increased knowledge of the present war was good, but he thinks it rather unfair to pupils to ask them to write on these topics at examinations unless first given special instruction by the teachers.”¹

At the Wentworth County Court House, the opening of the current assize and the general sessions were presided over by Judge Snider.

Before the cases on the docket were addressed, the presiding judge would make decisions on newcomers to the area who had requested the opportunity to become Canadian citizens.

Usually, it was a straight forward decision on the part of the judge, and virtually all such applications were approved.

By the war had changed things somewhat:

“Judge Snider refused to allow Clerk of Court E. W. Thomas to read the names of ten Germans who desired to take out naturalization papers.

“ ‘You might as well put those applications away until after the war is over,’ advised the court. ‘I won’t accept applications from Germans, Austrians and Turks.’

“The names of eight Italians were read and accepted by his honor.”²

² “No Germans to Be Naturalized : Judge Snider Refuses All Such Applications”

Hamilton Spectator.   December 2, 1914.