Two of Saltsprings Best Citizens Gone

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LOWER MOUNT THOM, Nov. 9 — There is constant change among the people in a settlement.  We do not expect them to remain the same.  Individuals change and some pass away, leaving vacancies in the community.  During the past summer Saltsprings lost two fo its best known citizens.  Early in the season A. H. McKay passed to rest and we lost a man who belonged to the whoe community and took an interest in anything that affected its welfare.  It may be that he was an active partisan and would by times sacfifice community or county to party interests, but at the same time he was broader in vision and fairer in his views than most of us, and his position as postmaster put him at the heart of the community and in close touch with everybody.  He took a keen interest in all phases of farming, and more especially in Jersey cattle.

In passing he left a big vacancy in the settlement and a few weeks ago, when his good friend and neighbour, Alex McKenzie, was taken ill and passed away in a few days, it seemed to take the heart out of Saltsprings, as far as men of olden days are concerned.  In Mr. McKenzie Saltsprings lost one of its leading citizens and we all lost a kindly and obliging neighbor.  It may be at times that he was inclined to criticise the action and intentions of his neighbors too severely, and to spend too much energy vainly trying to keep us straight.  We can all honor the memory of a kindly helpful neighbor and regret that he was called away.

C.A.M.