Unlike 12 months ago, the weather throughout the month of April was Springlike, even though, at times it was cool. For the most part the temperatures were up to a comfortable degree and employees who do part time farming had the opportunity of getting an earlier start than in previous years.

The Arctic ice-barrier which proved such an inconvenience to residents of Bell Island in previous years, did not enter Conception Bay this year and the ferry service between Bell Island and Portugal Cove operated without interruption.

News from employees on the sick list:

Pat KENNEDY, at the Grace hospital, St. John's doing as well as can be expected.

Roger BLACKMORE, received treatment at the General hospital, St. John's has returned home and reported to be feeling fine.

Ted GAUN, receiving treatment at the Orthopaedic hospital, St. John's, reported to be improving.

Pensioner Mike SWEENEY, receiving treatment at the Orthopaedic hospital, St. John's reported to be feeling better.

Former Bell Island, Tom FTIZPATRICK, who has been receiving treatment at the General Hospital, St. John's for the past several months, is reported to be showing improvement.

Herbert HARNEY, receiving treatment at the Grace hospital.

Gordon DROVER, entered hospital in St. John's, for an operation.

Peter HAMMOND, Lance Cove, Bell Island, home from hospital feeling fine.

Mac SHEPPARD who received treatment at the Grace Hospital, St. John's has returned home and is back on the job.

Allan HART, entered hospital at St. John's as the result of an injury received in a motor accident.

William BARTLETT, who has been on the sick list for several weeks, is feeling better.

Ray HARVEY has returned home from the Grace hospital and is feeling fine.

Mike FITZPATRICK is home from hospital at St. Johns' and is back on the job.

Cyril CAHILL, 13 years old, was treated for an injury received when he was hit in the face by a baseball bat wile getting in some early April practice. The injuries were not serious.

Winston, 7 year old son of Mr. and Mrs. Nat SMITH, was knocked down by a motor a vehicle, recently, but was not seriously injured.

Deepest sympathy is extended to the relatives of the following people, who died recently:
Mrs. Mary POWER, who passed away at the home of her son Thomas, The Green, Bell Island, on April 3^rd, in her 90^th year.
Elizabeth MURPHY, Mercer St., Bell Island, who passed away at a St. John's hospital on April 4^th, in her 8^th year.
David FITZPATRICK, West Mines, Bell Island, who was accidentally electrocuted on April 30^th, in his 16^th year.
James MURPHY, Mercer St., Bell Island who passed away at hospital in St. John's, on April 26^th, in his 30^th year.
Mrs. Theresa GRANT, who passed away at Sydney, Nova Scotia, on Mar. 25^th, in her 75^th year.

Congratulations to the following employees, on the occasion of their Wedding Anniversaries during March.
Mr. and Mrs. John YETMAN, 44 years married on the 24^th Mr. and Mrs. Richard IVANY, 37 years married on the 17^th Mr. and Mrs. Sam NOLAN, 9 years married on the 17^th.

Approximately four hundred Bell Island school children attended the Kiwanis Music Festival, which was held at St. John's, Nfld, during the month of April.

The Bell Island Minor League hockey finals were played at the Bartlett Memorial Arena earlier this month. Competition was keen in all three divisions.

In the Pee-Wee series, Leafs stopped Rangers, to take the hockey crown in that division, by a 2-0 score.

In the Bantam division, the Union and the Lions teams fought a stiff battle, the result of which was not sure until the gong sounded to end the game. The scoreboard showed a 3-2 win for the Union team.

In the Midget class Rangers went all out, to register a 4-1 win over Canadiens.

In the high School hockey series here this winter, only two teams competed - St. Kevin's school and St. Boniface Regional High School.

The series was keenly contested by both teams, with ST. KEVIN'S winning the championship by a 5-2 score, in the final game.

Eight Bell Island schools took part in the second annual ice meet at the Bartlett Memorial Arena on Saturday, March 29^th.

R.R. COSTIGAN addressed the gathering before declaring the meet open.

Mr. COSTIGAN told the skaters about sportsmanship. Win, lose or draw, he said, be good sports anyway. He praised coach Joe BYRNE for the excellent work he has done since coming to Bell Island to improve the skating ability of local children.

Both Immaculate Conception Convent and St. Kevin's Boys' School successfully defended the championship won last year.

The Dr. EGAN (this is the Dr. who delivered me) trophy for boys was won by St. Kevin's. The trophy was presented to the school Principal Kevin BARRY by Tom KENT.

The girls' trophy donated by the Sherbrook Woodcraft Products was won by the Immaculate Conception Academy and was presented to Sheila KING by Mr. KENT.

Jim FLYNN and Jim STONE acted as judges for the meet.

In girls relay race the Immaculate Conception team, Cecilia NOFTALL, Marie FITZGERALD and Sheila KING placed first, with the St. Boniface Regional High School taking second place. The Regional team members were Louise HARVEY, Kevin HAMMOND and ??? LUFFMAN.