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- 208 REMINISCENCES OF OLD VICTORIA
considerable discussion among old-time residents. Yesterday Edgar Fawcett, who first broached the subject, gave the Colonist the following further argument on the question :
"As my friend Mr. Higgins joins issue with me on my account of the closing of View Street in 1858, I am going to give him some further evidence. I would not for a moment match my memory or knowledge of events of the early history of Victoria with Mr. Higgins, who arrived months before I did, and from his position as a newspaper man had far better opportunities of getting knowledge of passing events. But Mr. Higgins did not arrive early enough, if the evidence in the Victoria Gazette is worth anything. I had the opportunity of re-viewing the first year's numbers, and jotted down all items I thought of interest. This I gave to the Colonist readers some years ago, and the items regarding View Street were some of them. I think Mr. Higgins will forgive me if I say that the Gazette's evidence is likely to be more correct than mere memory. I am glad of the opportunity to correct an error I made in copying from my former article; that of substituting the name of Southgate for Stamp. Southgate's name occurred several times in items, and I find by referring to my former article, that I have Captain Stamp's name all right. Now for the further evidence. I would ask if it is likely that any one would build a wharf on Broad Street, say at the office of the Daily Times, Ltd., which is now at the foot of View Street? I ask this because in the Gazette it is announced that Rousette is building a wharf at the foot of View Street, which meant next to the Hudson's Bay Company's warehouse on Wharf Street. Further, I produce from Mallandaine's
THE CLOSING OF VIEW STREET 209
First Directory, compiled in 1859, two advertisements which will show that View Street ended on Wharf Street opposite the Hudson's Bay Company's store :
F. J. St. Ours
Wharf Street, near View
Kaindler's wharf?Victoria, V. I.
Commission Merchant
Storage
Etc., Etc., Etc.
Reid & Macdonald
Commission and General Merchants
Warehousemen
Wharf Street,
Corner of View Street
Victoria, V. I.
" NEITHER BASTION NOR VIEW.
"To the Editor :?Having read with great interest Mr. Edgar Fawcett's letter re the query as to the permanent term for the street now named as View and Bastion, may I make a suggestion that in the event of a re-naming that the thoroughfare be known as Fawcett Street? Many old residents are perpetuated in street names, and I feel sure, after the indefatigable efforts put forward by Mr. Fawcett in all issues connected with archaic research in Victoria and its immediate environs, that it would be a fitting tribute on the part of the city fathers to perpetuate the name of such a zealous citizen.
"WELL WISHER.
"Victoria, B.C., Nov. 8th, 1910."
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