The Oroville weekly gazette. [volume] (Oroville, Wash.) 1905-19??, 1920-05-14
WHERE THINGS
ARE DOING

eral trips by auto 10 feutlctOn during
the summer months, and at every trip
we have seen something new in the
varied and ever changing scenery
along the route. scenery in its natural
state never marred by the hand Of
man. Sunday last, the Gazette man
made his first trip of the summer to
the queen city of southern British Co.
lumbia, and while the wealth of natu-
raj scenery is still there to please, the
marring hand of man has encroached
upon the heretofore virgin territory
and there is conspicous evidence that
there is going to be speedy change
in the general ensemble of the land
scape within the near future. That
marring change is of utilitarian
character. and when the roughness of
the preliminary work is hidden under
the foliage of orchards and alfalfa
fields nature will be improved upon.
What man is doing. is the construction
of very extensive irrigation system
that is to reclaim a vast acreage that
is to day, and has been since God said
let there be light, in a virgin state.
Much has been said of this irrigation
system in the press during the past
twelve months, and while the press
was having its say the contractors
were doing things, and already sinu-
GUS cash plows it's tortnOus way for
several miles from the intake on the
OkanOgan river, just below Vasseaux
lake, to a point short distance this
side of Fairview. So far as it has gone
that lengthy ditch is still in the raw,
but a completed section at the upper
end gives the observer some idea of
what it will be like when once COM
pleted. Nowhere in the west will there
be better or more permanent irriga-
tiOn system. 1t is built about like eve
rything else that is undertaken across
the line in the way of construction, it
is done right. Owing to the gravelly
and consequent porous condition of
the ground over which the bitches ex-
tend it is necessary to cement the main
canal, and the sides and bottom are
made up of large slabs OF concrete
that extend flush with the top of the
ditch, which is large enough to ac-
comodate the entire flow of the
Okanogan river at that point. This
stretch of completed canal gives one
some idea Oh tie eXcellency and solid
ity of the work and what the system
will look like when once ready to turn
in the M er. The contractors are pre-
iC An
larger scale than heretofore. At sew
eral points along the line are groups
OF new buildings under construction
that are to accommodate the enlarged
force that will soon be employed, and
huge stacks Of material are distributed
along the line of the main ditch. The
initial cost OF this vast enterprise is
going to run into money, but it will be
money well spent for when the system
Is once completed it will not be neces-
sary to spend hundreds and thousands
Of dollars every year in repairs.
1t was pleasure to note quite a
marked change in the appearance OF
Penticton. Not in a bushes way, for
on Sunday every line of business at
Penticton is under lock and key ana
there is no outward and visible evil
dence that anything at all Is being
done along business lines, but in the
indication of steady growth. For six
years. from period Immediately pri-
or 70 the breaking out OF the war up
to this spring there has been no sign
OF new buildings in PentictOn. Year
after year upon visiting our neighbOr-
ing town one could not notice even the
addition of chicken house within the
town limits. 1t is different now. New
buildings are to be seen all over the
townsite. This is especially the case il
the residence section where new
homes are going up on every hand.
That means more people, and more
people are indicative of industrial and
commercial activity. The year is open
Ing up very bright for Penticton in The
way OF material growth, and before
the season is ended the city is going
to zee very substantial increase in
population. Every sign points to Pen
ucton becoming the most important
city In southern British Columbia, a
position it Is to take not only on ac-
count of its attractive situation at tie
loot OF Okanogan lake, but because OF
me richly productive country that
surrounds the town. which Is very
largely devoted to the growing of d
nigh class quality OF fruit. Indications
point to normal crop again this year
anc normal fruit crop spells pros
perty to all those engaged in that in
dustry.
Then Penticton is becoming one of
me popular resorts Of British Colurl-
Dia and that popularity will grow as
.ne attractions of the place become
"etter known There is not a more de-
si:aDle place in the west to spend a
lew weeks during the summer in a
'uuiet outing for those who wish all
Tie comforts of civilization in con-
junction with an outing. The Incona
rotel, large and beautiful hostlcry
oulit by the Canadian Pacific railway
supplies the haven of rest and its pop
uiarity is so well established that it Is
"iiicuit to secure rooms after the
season once opens. The lucky ones
'hat DO obtain accommodations at that
.o%y summer resort must file reserva-
uohs weeks in advance of the opening
VI the season. AS years go by Pentic-
ION VIII become more and more the
mecca for the summer tourist and
more and larger hotels will have to be
supplied to meet the demand for &C.
comodations.