The 1955 Christmas season with a snow covered landscape, presented one of the most beautiful Festive season set-ups witnessed locally for some time. Employees of the Company began their annual vacation with pay on Dec 23^rd, returning to work on Jan 3^rd. Employees living around Conception Bay spent the Yuletide at home there, with their families. Employees living on Bell Island also spent the time quietly with their families.

Congratulations are extended to
Mr. And Mrs. Walter PARSONS on the occasion of their 50^th wedding anniversary during December. Before retiring on pension, Mr. PARSONS was employed as Piers Superintendent.
Mr. And Mrs. Robert DAVIS on the occasion of their 40^th wedding anniversary on Dec 20^th. Mr. Davis is at present employed with the Engineers’ Department
Mr. And Mrs. Thomas CONWAY on the occasion of their 36^th wedding anniversary on Dec 13^th. Before retiring on pension Mr. CONWAY was Captain of No. 4 Slope
Mr. And Mrs. Walter SELLARS on the occasion of their 30^th wedding anniversary on Dec 25^th. Mr. SELLARS is presently employed as Chief Clerk, Shops Department
Mr. And Mrs. Douglas NEIL on the occasion of their 25^th wedding anniversary on Dec 27^th.

Other employees who celebrated wedding anniversaries during Dec are:
Mr. and Mrs. Daniel FOWLER, 23^rd anniversary on Dec 8th
Mr. and Mrs. Stan HICKEY, 5^th anniversary on Dec 4^th

The Bell Island Lions’ Club, held a pre-Christmas Turkey Raffle on Town Square to provide funds to help provide toys for those children in need of them.

The Bell Island Kiwanis Club also projects to provide funds for those needing help during the Christmas Season.

The Community Christmas Tree, decorated with outdoor lights, was erected at the usual site on Town Square.

The following employees announced their engagements during December:
Wallace NEIL – Accounting Department
Robert PETRIE – Mechanical Department
Blair KENNEDY - No. 3 Slope
Jerry FITZGERALD – Mechanical Department

The children of all Bell Island schools held their annual Christmas Concerts and School closing exercises previous to the closing of the schools for the holidays. All were reported to be well attended by the children’s parents.

Rosalie, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Donald GOSSE entered hospital in December to receive treatment for injuries received in a motor accident near her home, Scotia Ridge, Bell Island

Edna, 3 yr old daughter of John E. PARSONS, Bell Island, entered the Fever Hospital for treatment during December.

Rhody HISCOTT, No. 6 Slope, entered hospital in St. John’s during December through illness. He is back on the job now and reported to be feeling fine

Leonard METCALFE, No. 4 Slope, entered hospital for treatment in December

Patrick, 16 year old son of Mr. and Mrs. James O’BRIEN, underwent an appendectomy operation at hospital in Dec

Catherine, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Phonse HAWCO was also operated on for appendix during December.

Isaac PUMPHREY who was discharged from hospital in December, has now retired on pension. Mr. PUMPHREY was formerly employed as Watchman with the Company.

Herb PYNN who has been on the sick list for several weeks, is reported feeling better.

Patrick SWEENEY, No. 6 Slope, who was confined to his home through illness during the past several weeks, is feeling better now.

Deepest sympathy to the relatives of the late Victor HANN, who passed away suddenly in his 48^th year at his home, No. 6 Range, Bell Island, during the month of December.

Ore shipments from Bell Island reached an all time high in 1955. A total of 2,369,177 long tons were shipped away to markets at Sydney N.S., and overseas. The markets to which the ore was shipped last year and the number of tons, are as follows:

Congratulations to the boys at Scotia Pier, for their good work in getting the ships loaded in record time. Since the beginning of this year activity at the ore shipping Pier continues to be brisk.

The British Ore Carrier, "Baron MacLay" experienced stormy weather while crossing the Atlantic, from England to Bell Island. The storms encountered caused the ship to be several days overdue and as a consequence it was necessary to take coal bunkers at this point.

Patrick McDONALD, No. 4 Slope, moved his family to a new home, which he recently built at Georgetown, Conception Bay.

In spite of winter blizzards, the stork found its way to the homes of the following employees during December.
Kevin HAMMOND, twins on Dec 24^th
William KAVANAGH, a daughter on Dec 3^rd
Daniel HYNES, a son on Dec 25^th.

Former Bell Islander Fred CLARKE visited the Island in December, to attend the funeral of his father, the late George CLARKE, Pensioner. Fred is now residing in Toronto.

The Provincial Government is presently conducting a water survey on Bell Island, to determine the possibility of obtaining a water supply for the incorporated town of Wabana. For this purpose, test holes are being drilled at the west end of the townsite.

The annual meeting of the Bell Island Branch of Red Cross took place in the C.L.B. Armoury on Dec 8^th with Red Cross Commissioner for Newfoundland, David G. DECKER, present. Election of officers for 1956 was held. The following were elected:
Addison BROWN President
Mrs. A.R. PROUDFOOT Vice President
Mrs. H.P. DICKEY 2^nd Vice President
Mrs. Bert STARES 3^rd Vice President
Mrs. F.J. NEWHOOK Secretary
Mrs. Mary POWER Treasurer

The report for the past year was read by outgoing President, Mrs. Mary POWER. A very successful year was experienced by the Branch.

The annual campaign for funds in 1955 proved a success. The proceeds totaled $2,683.50

The usual activities of Red Cross were successfully carried out and a new activity added – Swimming and Water Safety. A qualified swimming instructor was engaged by the Bell Island Kiwanis Club, on the recommendation of Commissioner DECKER. The Instructor took charge of the Kiwanis Swimming Pool for two months last summer and conducted classes in Swimming and Water Safety. A number of local boys and girls received the course of instructions. Forty-five Red Cross diplomas were presented to children who successfully passed the tests.

We are pleased to receive a Christmas Card from Constable "Hap" MACDONALD, RCMP. "Hap" was a member of the local detachment of the RCMP during the past 5 years and is now stationed at Saint John, N.B. He was an outstanding member of the Bell Island Senior All Star hockey team. He starred as a right-winger with the team in 1954-55. The Island team won the All Newfoundland Championship in 1954 in the Section "B" Division and successfully defended it in 1955. "Hap" expressed himself as pleased to receive a copy of the "Submarine Miner" every month.

Greetings to the following Pensioners, on the occasion of their birthdays in January:
Richard PARSONS, 87 on Jan 22^nd
Alfred WHITE, 82 on Jan 31^st
James FOWLER, 77 on Jan 20^th
William HEALEY, 74 on Jan 1^st
James COLE, 72 on Jan 26^th
Charles NORMORE, 71 on Jan 19^th
Ambrose DROVER, 69 on Jan 3^rd
Michael McLEAN, 68 on Jan 6^th

Neill AMADIO arrived on Bell Island in January to take over hockey coaching duties at the Bell Island Arena. Since coming here he has been busy getting the Bell Island All Stars in shape for the All Newfoundland Section "B" championship playoffs. Neill was a member of the Grand Falls Senior "A" hockey team last Winter. He received the most valuable player award in 1955.

Deepest sympathy is expressed to the bereaved relatives of the following employee, who died recently: -
Thomas Joy, Pensioner, who passed away on January 5^th, at Bell Island, in his eighty-first year. Previous to retiring on pension, he was employed as road foreman, Underground.