With the month of March entering its secnd week, the unusually mild weather which prevailed since the beginning of 1958 continues.

The present winter has been such a contrast to twelve months ago. The months of January and February were, for the most part, mild throughout, with fog, rain and drizzle, occasional snow flurries and very little frost at any time.

Plant life showed signs of bloom around the Avalon Peninsula on many occasions during February.

An intense sleet storm on March 1^st caused widespread damage to communication and power supply lines around the Conception Bay area and a complete blackout to Bell Island for several days.

Following the storms the weather turned mild again and the sleet which had in some cases built on the wires to a thickness of 5" soon melted and the telephone and power companies found it possible to work around the clock in making repairs to the damaages caused by the storm.

Although adverse easterly winds are being experienced, there appears to be no threat from the Arctic ice blockade, which in previous years filled Conception Bay disrupting the ferry service between Bell Island and the mainland.

Only 12 months ago, on many occasions, the only means of getting to and from Bell Island was by helicopter and an airways service which was established to transport passengers and necessary supplies.

CONGRATULATIONS to the following employees, on the occasion of wedding anniversaries in Jan and Feb:

JANUARY:
Pensioner Robert and Mrs NUGENT, Kelligrews, 58 years on Jan 6^th
Mr. and Mrs. Edward SEARLE, 41 years on Jan 31^st
Mr. and Mrs. Herbert HARNEY, 36 years on Jan 17^th
Pensioner Abel and Mrs. FILLIER, 53 years on Jan 1^st
Mr. and Mrs. Ernest HIGGINS 39 years on Jan 18^th
Mr. and Mrs. Ben POWER 9 years on Jan 31^st

FEBRUARY:
Pensioner Algernon and Mrs. TUCKER 46 years on Feb 12^th
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas POWER 27 years on Feb 26^th
Mr. and Mrs. Joseph THISTLE 21 years in February
Mr. and Mrs. Walter MALONEY 12 years on Feb 2^nd
Pensioner Harry and Mrs. MERCER 61 years married on Jan 1^st
Mr. and Mrs. Fred FITZGERALD 22 years married on Jan 5^th
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas N. REES 31 years married on Jan 18^th
Mr. and Mrs. John C. VOKEY 36 years married on Dec 29^th, 1957.

The stork visited the following employees recently:
Vincent HOWARDS, a son on Feb 10^th
Cecil MEADUSES, a son on Feb 13^th
William NORMAN, a daughter on Feb 11^th
James DOHERTY twins, son and daughter on Feb 2^nd
John DEER a son on Feb 1^st

Deepest sympathy is extended to relatives of the following
Mrs. Susannah JACKMAN, passed away at her home, East End, Bell Island in her 81^st year
Mrs. Thomas MURPHY, passed away at her home, The Front, Bell Island in her 71^st year
Mrs. William John STEVENS, passed away at her home, West Mines, Bell Island, in her 77^th year
Salvation Army Major STEVENS, who passed away at Charlottetown, P.E.I. in her 53^rd year.
Dennis DOBBIN, Middleton Avenue, passed away at a St. John's hospital, in his 76^th year
Jimmie SQUIRES, son of Mr. and Mrs. Harry SQUIRES, The Front, Bell Island, in his 10^th year

CONGRATULATIONS to the following on the occasion of their birthdays:
John ANTHONY 83 on Feb 18^th
Joe CRANE, 78 on Feb 2^nd
Michael BURKE, 77 on Feb 18^th
Thomas FOLEY, 74 on Feb 24^th
John SKANES, 68 on Feb 21^st
John PETRIE, 78 on Mar 27^th
Edward WALSH, 84 on Mar 10^th
Reuben BENNETT, 80 on Mar 21^st
Henry BICKFORD, 80 on Mar 2^nd
James BYRNE, 78 on Mar 9^th
Pat TAPLIN, 76 on Mar 10^th
Peter J. FITZGERALD, 74 on Mar 31^st
James JONES, 74 on Mar 1^st

Following employees who were sick recently:

• Peter CANTWELL, Mercer St., Bell Island, received medical attention at a St. John's hospital recently. He is fine and back on the job.

• Harry BOONE, Jr., entered the Grace hospital for medical treatment

• Hugh CONNORS, Davidson Ave., Bell Island, underwent an operation in the Grace Hospital earlier this year. He has recovered sufficiently to return to his position in the Accounting Dept.

• Peter STOYLES, the Front, Bell Island, has returned home from hospital in St. John's and is reported to be improving.

• Ted FITZGERALD, the Front, Bell Island, received medical treatment during recent weeks. He has returned to his position in the Watchmen's Department.

• Peter CONWAY, West Mines, Bell Island, is receiving medical treatment

• Leo FOWLER, the Front, Bell Island, has returned home from St. Clare's hospital where he underwent an operation. He is feeling fine, but has not improved sufficiently to return to his position in the Watchman's Department.

• Paul, the 3 year old son of Mr. and Mrs. Hubert POWER underwent an operation in St. Clare's Hospital recently.

Private Vincent MANSFIELD of the Royal Canadian Army Service Corps is on leave with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. John MANSFIELD, Bell Island.

Michael NEARY, who has been residing in Brantford, Ont., for several years visited his brother, pensioner Peter NEARY, Quigley's Line, recently.

James TUCKER, a former Bell Islander, is presently visiting relatives here. Jim has been residing in British Columbia for the past 14 years.

Peter HAMMOND, Lance Cove, has returned home from hospital

Donald SKANES of Bell Island is back from Montreal, where he was receiving treatment for a leg injury received in a hockey game last season.

Privates Fred and Robert, sons of Fire Chief and Mrs. R.D. NORMAN, Doinion Range, Bell Island, are home on leave from Borden. In addition to Fred and Robert who are serving in the Royal Canadian Army, 3 other brothers are serving in the Canadian Armed Forces, Bill has served 4 years in the Royal Canadian Navy, Ralph and Harry are serving the R.C.A.M.C.