Another Bell Island winter has passed into history. It was a long and stormy one, but in spite of that, the various activities of this busy industrial center continued in a normal manner.

Some history making events, as far as Bell Island is concerned, occurred during the winter months.
The Wabana Boys Club Building was officially opened in February
- The Bell Island Senior "B" hockey team successfully defended its hockey crown in that division and for the third year in succession won the trophy
- Production from the mines rose to the new high of 12,000 long tons for a full day, on March 28^th. The previous high for a full day's production was 11,980 log tons, attained on March 21^st
- Negotiations for a new Working Agreement for 1956, between the Company and Local 4121 (USA), CIO., AFF Concluded and the terms of the Agreement were accepted by the Union membership through secret balloting at the Union Hall during the first week in April.

Congratulations to Arnold BENNETT, Accounting Department, who was married on Tuesday, April 3^rd. We wish Arnold and his bride many years of married happiness in the years that lie ahead.

The Bell Island Senior "B" hockey team visited Corner Brook and Gander during the first week of April, for exhibition games with teams from those towns. The Bell Island team won one and lost one at Corner Brook. At Gander, the local team won both games. The members of the team, All-Newfoundland Champions in the Senior "B" Division were guests of Monsignor G.F. Bartlett, at a dinner given in their honor in St. Michael's Hall on Tuesday night, April 10^th following the dinner, the young hockeyists were guests at the dance in St. Michael's. Trophies and Individual Awards to team members were made at midnight.

The stork visited the homes of the following employees during March and presented to:
Mr. and Mrs. Fred PYNN, a son on the 2^nd
Mr. and Mrs. Corbett Pitts, a daughter on the 12^th
Mr. and Mrs. Edward BOLAND, a son on the 18^th
Mr. and Mrs. William FEWER, a daughter on the 31^st.

Deepest sympathy is extended to the relatives of Mrs. John VICKERS, Bell Island, who passed away at hospital in St. John's, on March 28^th in her 69^th year.

Alec STANFORD has returned from hospital in St. John's and is back on the job

John BROWN who has been on the sick list during the past few months, is feeling better and expects to return to work soon.

Philip LAHEY is still a patient at the Grace Hospital.

Seven-year-old Hubert KENNDEY underwent a tonsillectomy operation at the Grace Hospital in St. John's during the month of March, he is the son of James KENNEDY, No. 3 Slope.

Edward BRAZIL entered hospital in St. John's during March for treatment.

Nine-month-old Marguerite, daughter of Edward ETHRIDGE, entered hospital in St. John's during March, suffering from pneumonia. She has reurned home and is feeling fine.

William STONE entered St. Clare's Hospital, St. John's in March. He underwent an operation there, he is home now and feeling fine.

Bert STARES of the Accounting Department entered hospital at St. John's in March for a check-up.

Rhody HISCOTT re-entered hospital on March 3^rd for treatment.

John NEARY, of the Accounting Department, who has been on the sick list for the last several weeks, has returned to work and is feeling fine.

Brian POWER who received an eye injury during the junior hockey championship playoffs is now feeling fine.

William POWER, General Surface Department, is back on the job, following an absence due to hospitalization.

The Bell Island Branch of the Cancer Society are holding a house-to-house campaign for funds to be used in the fight against the dreaded disease.

The Bell Island Branch of the Red Cross and Institute of the Blind completed campaigns for funds in March.

Congratulations to the following employees on the occasion of their wedding anniversaries:
Mr. and Mrs. William CANTWELL, 36 years married on Mar 24^th
Mr. and Mrs. Richard IVANY, 35 years married on Mar 24^th
Mr. and Mrs. Clarence KENT, 26 years on Mar 17^th
Mr. and Mrs. John KING, married 10 years on Mar 17^th
Mr. and Mrs. Sam NOLAN, 7 years on Mar 17^th

Rosalie, daughter of Mr. Donald GOSSE, who received injuries in a motor accident last Fall, is still a patient at the General Hospital, St. John's, but is reported to be improving

Sympathy is extended to the relatives of:
Mrs. James LANE, who passed away recently, in her 71^st year
Mrs. Gordon ETHRIDGE, who passed away recently following a short illness
Mr. and Mrs. Henry CRANE, on the passing of their daughter
Mr. and Mrs. Dan HYNES on the death of their infant son, Gregory

We heard again from Pensioner C.M. FOOTE, who now resides in St. John's. Previous to retiring on pension, Mr. FOOTE was employed as Storekeeper with the Company. He lived on Bell Island for over 52 years and witnessed many great changes in the history of the Island during that time. When Mr. FOOTE first came here the rate of pay was 12 cents per hour. He is glad to see this Island town enjoying its present prosperity and expresses the wish that it may long continue. Mr. FOOTE is pleased with our Plant Magazine. He finds it very interesting. Since retiring he has been busy at painting and writing poetry and has won awards at both. We are pleased to hear from you at any time, Mr. FOOTE.

The newly married couple, Mr. and Mrs. Arnold BENNETT, were somewhat surprised recently, when Mr. BENNET's co-workers from the Pay Office Department called in and presented them with a beautiful electric lamp. The presentation address was read by Mr. Peter PITTS and responded to by Mr. BENNETT.

We also heard for the first time, from another former Bell Islander, Ralph MARTIN, who now resides at Atikokan, Ontario. Previous to leaving here, he was employed with the Company. He received a copy of the "Submarine Miner." recently and was very much impressed by it and quite interested in the many improvements in mining methods since he left here 13 years ago. We are pleased to hear from you Ralph - drop us a line at anytime.

Felicitations to the following Pensioners, on the occasion of their birthdays in April:
Michael SWEENEY, 76 on the 8^th
Henry PARSONS, 75 on the 26^th
Mark GOSSE, 69 on the 16^th
William PURCELL, 66 on the 12^th

The Bell Island Junior All-Stars hockey team was unsuccessful in its defence of the All-Newfoundland Championship this winter. The team suffered several casualties during the season, this coupled with the fact that some of the Juniors had to be used with the Senior "B" team weakened the Junior aggregation considerably. The local team was eliminated from the all-Newfoundland Play-Offs by the St. John's Juniors in a best of three series. The Final game was played in the St. John's Stadium. The second was played on Bell Island. St. John's won both games.