(EXTRACT FROM AN ARTICLE IN THE "COMMUNITY MAGAZINE.")
A striking example of the benefits which can be conferred upon a small
town through the munificence of one of its citizens can be seen in the
little fishing port of Eastville, Nova Scotia. Eastville is probably
one of the most contented towns on the continent of America,
and it owes its many advantages as a community to a young
sailor-fisherman--Sir Donald Percival McKenzie, Bart.
Many years ago, Donald McKenzie came to Eastville as a poor sailor lad
in company with Captain Nickerson, who had befriended him at sea. He
afterwards sailed in Bank fishing schooners with Nickerson and learned
the business of a fisherman. In those days he had no knowledge of the
good fortune which was in store for him, but plied his hazardous
vocation until he commanded a vessel of his own at twenty-one. Through
a strange turn of fate, the Eastville fishing skipper fell heir to an
ancient Scottish baronetcy and a fortune estimated at four million
dollars.
Instead of returning to live on the ancestral estate in the Highlands
of Scotland, Sir Donald built a modern replica of Dunsany Castle on
Eastville Cape, and devoted his money and talents to the benefit of
his adopted town. As an experienced fisherman, he naturally turned his
attention to the fishing industry, and organized a company in which
practically all the citizens of Eastville are share-holders. This
thriving concern, known as the Eastville Community Fisheries, Ltd.,
own and operate a fine fleet of some fifty fishing schooners and West
India freighters, and the shore establishments consist of a cold
storage, fish cannery, sail lofts, blacksmith shop, shipyard, marine
railway, and large buildings and drying yards for the preparation of
dried salted fish.
Through his influence, Eastville was connected up with the main line
of railway with two trains daily, and he has endowed the town with a
cottage hospital, a public library, and a splendid building for
meetings and entertainments, known as the Alexander McKenzie Memorial
Hall--erected to the memory of Sir Donald's father, a sea-captain
drowned at sea. Many other instances could be cited of this young
man's regard for his adopted town, not the least of which is his
thoughtfulness in caring for former ship-mates. A sea cook, John
McGlashan--a boyhood chum--is in charge of a completely-stocked
grocery store and commissariat for outfitting the fleet; a fisherman,
Sanders, who lost a leg on a vessel Sir Donald commanded, is in charge
of the vessel gear stores, and the General Superintendent of the
fleets and plants and assistant manager, is the Captain Nickerson who
befriended him. The whole town is employed, directly or indirectly, in
the McKenzie enterprises, and there is ample evidence that all are
thriving and paying propositions.
It was the writer's privilege to visit Dunsany Castle and meet Sir
Donald and his charming wife. Built exactly to the dimensions and in
the style of the original Scottish castle, insofar as outside
appearance is concerned, the residence boasts a modern interior in
heating, lighting and other conveniences. The rooms are hung with
numerous tapestries and paintings--ancestral heirlooms removed from
Scotland, while many of the latter are the productions of Sir Donald
and his wife, both of whom are artists of no mean ability. From the
upper windows of the residence a magnificent view of the Atlantic is
obtained, and Sir Donald explained that as he could not remain
actively at sea, he had to have a place where he could at least look
upon it. The Laird of Dunsany, however, holds a master mariner's
certificate, and spends much time on the water in marine biological
work, and in winter months, he sails and navigates his own yacht on
southern cruises.
... In conversing with the townspeople, one is struck by the affection
and admiration which they all have for Sir Donald, Lady McKenzie and
Sir Donald's mother. All three have apparently bound themselves up in
the social life of the community and endeared themselves to all who
know them, and it is a distinct pleasure to meet fishermen who boast
of having either sailed under his command or as dory-mates or
ship-mates in fishing vessels. In this hectic age when most
capitalists are looked upon with dislike by the working people, it was
a treat to be able to visit a community where the head of it was held
in such genuine esteem.
For to see the successful operation of the community system to an
industry, at once romantic and hazardous, and for a living example of
a capitalist who knows the sea as only sailors know it, and whose life
is a record of adventure and daring deeds, I would have you journey to
the pleasant town of Eastville, Nova Scotia.
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Transcriber's note:
Archaic and inconsistent spelling and punctuation were retained.