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specially restricted area the Commission cannot undertake to control rebuilding operations except in accordance with the city laws as heretofore enforced. If however the City Council is of the opinion that there should be further restrictions, the Commission will be glad to meet them in conference and come to a conclusion which will be in the general best interests. Many of these houses not in the restricted district are under repair and it would be quite impossible to enforce such a development as is proposed in regard to the specially restricted area.
13. The same remarks apply to the Town of Dartmouth and outlying sections, the reconstruction of which areas will continue to be largely of wood, but the Commission will as far as possible endeavor by its advice and counsel to encourage every reasonable improvement in all building operations undertaken. Stops are on the way towards the rebuilding of many wooden houses throughout the whole district.
14. A contract has been awarded to the Nova Scotia Construction Company for the emanufacture at Eastern Passage of the hydrostone in large quantities. The experts have pronounced the gravel and sand at that point as of the highest quality. The necessary machinery is on the way and when the work once begins, construction will proceed with great rapidity. Arrangements are quickly developing for the building also of the houses not within the restricted area.
15. The architects are the well known firm of Messrs. Ross and McDonald of Montreal who have been studying the problem on behalf of the Commission for many weeks past. The street changes and general planning development are proceeding under the advice of Thomas Adams of the Commission of Conservation, Ottawa, who has had an assistant on the ground for some time. The Commission has had the continued aid ever since its appointment of Mr. H. W. Johnston, C. E., Assistant City Engineer, whose cooperation has been of the greatest value. His advice has been freely adopted in the replanning of the devastated area.

The New Manager.

16. The new manager of the Reconstruction Department who will continue the important work of repair and will co-operate with the architects and engineers in the Commission's rehousing plan is Mr. George. H. Archibald, a native of Nova Scotia although a resident of Toronto and a well known engineer and contractor in that city. He rendered valuable voluntary services to the city for weeks following the disaster and the Commission feels it had done well to secure his services at the present time. Colonel Low, after six months of the most arduous work carried on under great difficulties and without remuneration, feels compelled to retire in order personally to supervise the many large contracts which have recently been awarded to his firm.
17. The work of the Commission in other departments is making due progress but on this occasion it is not intended to make more than a passing reference to the work of the Rehabilitation Department under the competent leadership of Dr. Cutten, and his coadjutors Miss Wisdom and Miss Haliburton. The work is thoroughly organized and the dependents and sufferers are receiving admirable attention at the hands of most capable departmental heads industrious assistants.
18. The Commission once more appeals to a considerate public for co-operation in its further tasks and more especially in the great work of rebuilding the ruined housing. The efforts of the Commission in dealing individually with so many cases can only succeed when the people affected realize that there is a sincere desire on the part of the Commission to help them out of their difficulties and a person, whether occupying a public position or not, who by word or act does anything that tends to create in the minds of those affected by the disaster a feel ing of unsettlement and dissatisfaction, hampers the Commission in its work and injures the sufferers and the community at large. The Commission appeals hopefully for united and sympathetic support.

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HALIFAX DISASTER RECORD OFFICE
ARCHIBALD MACMECHAN, F.R.S.C.
DIRECTOR

HALIFAX, N.S.

PUBLIC ARCHIVES OF NOVA SCOTIA
HALIFAX

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MG 1 vol 2124 number 109c