The “Act to Incorporate Brandon College” was assented to on June 1, 1900 and specified that the Board of Directors would consist of 21 members. The Board was to control all financial matters of the College, though all decisions had to meet the approval of the Baptist Convention.
The first officers of the Board were a Chairman, a Treasurer and a Secretary. The minutes also refer to a “President,” separate from the Principal, but does not define the President’s duties. The Principal was a member ex-officio of the Board. The first duty of the Board was to create an executive consisting of all Brandon members of the Board. The main function of the executive was the operation of the College and transaction of all business arising between Board meetings.
In pursuit of a separate university charter, the Board reorganized its affairs in 1910, appointing an investment committee, a Bursar and a Registrar. The Principal was renamed “President,” and was appointed Chairman of the Executive. The university charter was denied, leading the Board to seek affiliation with McMaster University. The Board of Directors during this time was forced to take a more active role in directing college affairs. In November 1910, the Board moved: ...that the officers of the Board be authorized to make such application for such amendments to the Charter as seem necessary and advisable.
This decision led the Board to draw up the Act to Amend An Act to Incorporate Brandon College which, by 1915, granted the Board authority over all College affairs, following the stated direction of the Baptist Convention.
On May 5, 1916 a nominating committee was struck to name the persons and mandate of all new committees.
During the existence of the Board prior to 1967 the following committees were created:
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
In 1918, the Board defined the functions of the Executive Committee as:
The Board of Brandon College shall at its organization meeting each year appoint from among its members an Executive of not less than seven in number. The Executive shall be responsible to the Board and shall exercise all the powers usually incidental to an Executive other than those delegated to the Finance Committee and Endowment Fund Committee, which two Committees shall also be responsible to the Board direct.
FINANCE COMMITTEE, 1918-1926
The Finance Committee was to consist of no fewer than seven members which:
...shall be responsible to the Board and shall under the Board have the general oversight and control of the financial policy of the College insofar as the raising of funds is concerned. The Finance Committee shall not have the power to make any expenditures except such as it may deem necessary to incur in connection with its efforts in raising funds. The Finance Committee shall report to the Board of the College at each meeting of the Board and for the purpose of keeping the Executive in close touch with its activities and of enabling the two committees to work in closest cooperation shall transmit to the Executive a copy of the minutes of each of its meetings to be read at the regular meetings of the Executive and shall give account of the progress made by the Finance Committee and generally of its plans for the future. Members of the Finance Committee shall not all necessarily be members of the Board.
ENDOWMENT FUND COMMITTEE, 1918-1926
The Endowment Fund Committee was created by the following resolution:
The Board of Brandon College shall at its Organization Meeting each year appoint an Endowment Fund Committee which shall under the Board manage the Endowment Fund and direct the re-investment of its principal. The Endowment Fund Committee shall consist of not less than three members who shall not all necessarily be members of the Board.
The creation of the latter two committees was significant because it was the first time that Brandon citizens, not necessarily Baptists, were brought into the administration.
HOUSE AND GROUNDS COMMITTEE, 1923-1926
NEW INSTRUCTORS COMMITTEE, 1923-1936
ADVERTISING COMMITTEE, 1923-1936
BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION AND ENDOWMENT COMMITTEE, 1926-1936
TEACHERS COMMITTEE, 1929-1936
GENERAL PUBLICITY COMMITTEE, 1930-1936
By 1936, however, all Committees were abandoned as Brandon College struggled for its financial survival. After the Baptist Convention withdrew all of its support in 1938, a Provisional Board was established through the Brandon Board of Trade to negotiate with the government for the transfer of Brandon College to the Government of Manitoba. The provisional board succeeded in gathering the needed support for government intervention, and resurrected the College under “An Act to Incorporate Brandon College Incorporated.”
The new Board of Directors was appointed October 11, 1939 during a general shareholders meeting. The officers of the Board were a Chairman, a Secretary and a Treasurer. There were also six new standing committees appointed, with mandates listed under clause 16 of by-law 1:
FINANCE COMMITTEE, 1939-1967
... whose duty it shall be to oversee the finances of the Corporation and make recommendations to the Board as to investments of Monies received for endowment or scholarship purposes, and to prepare and submit the annual budget.
PROPERTY COMMITTEE, 1939-1967
... who shall have general supervision of the real and personal property of the Corporation.
ENROLLMENT COMMITTEE, 1939-1967
... whose duty shall be to obtain a student body for the College, to co-operate with the President and Faculty for such purpose and report to the Board as may be required from time to time.
FACULTY COMMITTEE, 1939-1967
... whose duty shall be to make preliminary arrangements for the engagement of teachers and who shall make recommendations to the Board for consideration in the engagement of such teachers.
MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE, 1939-1967
... whose duty shall be to maintain the membership of the Corporation and see that proper records of the same are maintained.
ENDOWMENT COMMITTEE, 1939-1967
... whose duty shall be to obtain endowments for the future operation of the College and to obtain gifts for scholarship purposes.
In 1942 the Public Relations and Progress Committee was established and a Public Relations Officer was hired. A Consultant Committee was appointed in 1948 with the sole purpose of overseeing the transfer of McKenzie Seeds to the provincial government for financial support through the McKenzie Foundation.
Scope and Content
Series consists mainly of minutes of meetings and correspondence between various Board members and the College. It is a very detailed and descriptive compilation of the decision-making processes at a higher education institution. There are copies of minutes from the Executive Committee in amongst the general Board Minutes. Series also contains a copy of an appraisment of Brandon College Inc. by the General Appraisal Company Ltd. (Vancouver) completed in 1957.
Storage Location
RG 1 Brandon College fonds
Series 1: Board of Directors
Arrangement
Series has been divided into one sub-series: (1) Minutes of General Board Meetings.
The Office of the President of Brandon College was established in 1899 under the title of Principal. The Principal was the head of the Academic Department and the Administrative body. In 1910, the position of Principal was changed to the position of President. There is no documented reason given for this change, but it was consistent with other universities and colleges at the time. When the institution was first organized in 1899, the role of the Principal was quite varied. It was the Principal who acted as both Registrar and Bursar, in addition to his duties as head of administration. The Principal also acted as a professor. It was the Principal who kept the college in contact with the Baptist Union. The Principal also acted as the liaison between the Board of Directors and the Senate, being an ex-officio member of both. In 1910, the roles of Registrar and Bursar were no longer the responsibility of the President. In the 1920’s the President became increasingly involved with fundraising and traveled extensively in search of financial support.
In 1938, following the “Act to Incorporate Brandon College Incorporated,” the Board of Directors, under by-law #1, assigned the President with “the internal management of the business of the Corporation insofar as it relates to the students, teaching and office staff shall be under the direct supervision of the President, subject to the order of the Board.” In 1965 the President’s Office was created, consisting of the President, Executive Assistant to the President (later Deputy to the President), and Secretary to the President who was also the Public Relations Assistant. From 1899 until 1967 the Office of the President was administered by six different men.
Scope and Content
Series consists of records generated and collected by various presidents. The series has been divided into six sub-series, including: (1) Dr. Archibald P. McDiarmid; (2) Dr. Howard Primrose Whidden; (3) Dr. Franklin W. Sweet; (4) Dr. David Bovington; (5) Dr. John Robert Charles Evans; and (6) Dr. John E. Robbins.
Storage Location
RG 1 Brandon College fonds
Series 2: Office of the Principal/President
The Office of the Bursar was created in 1910. As head of financial affairs, a Bursar was more compatible to the administrative framework of other universities in Canada. The initial duties of the Bursar were the collection of all fees, control of funds and disbursements, donations, purchasing, supervision of grounds, and progressive measures in the investment of funds and the enlargement of finances. By 1913, the Bursar was also in charge of the book department, boarding, grounds and gardens, buildings and heating plant.
By 1924, the Bursar had become so involved in the management of College affairs that the Board established a committee to examine the functions of the President and the Bursar “with a view to readjustment for efficiency.” The committee presented its report later that year, clearly defining nine functions of the Bursar. These functions were the keeping of books, banking, general handling of student fees and accounts, general handling of all trade accounts, handling of maintenance and extension movement pledge cards and receipts, general responsibility for the purchase of all supplies, supervision of fireman and janitor, supervision of buildings and grounds and the submission of a monthly report to the Secretary of the Executive. In 1929, the Bursar took on the role of Secretary to the Executive.
At several times during the history of Brandon College the Bursar and the Registrar were combined into one job.
BRANDON COLLEGE BURSARS:
R.J. KENNEDY (1910 - 1911)
No biographical information yet.
S.J. MCKEE (1911-1913, 1914-1915, 1919-1920)
Information about S.J. McKee can be found under the heading MG 1 Brandon College Teaching and Learning.
C.W. JACKSON (1913 - 1914)
No biographical information yet.
JOHN HARRIS MCKEE (1915 - 1918)
J.H. McKee was S.J. McKee’s son. He was born in Ingersoll, Ontario. He moved to Rapid City in 1881 with his family. In 1890 he moved to Brandon where his father opened McKee’s Academy. Harris attended Brandon College, graduating in 1914. When the war broke out he was not medically able to participate. He then took a position as Brandon College Bursar. In 1918, Harris resigned from his job to take up farming. He had several bouts of bad luck: drought, grasshoppers, frost, and other farming catastrophes, and was not too successful, having a list of 50 creditors at one point.
GEORGE H. ROSS (1918 - 1919)
Little is known so far about George Ross. He was a teacher before coming to Brandon College. He taught in Chatham, Ontario for a while, as well as at the Rider Moore College of Business in Trenton, NJ. From 1914-1919 Ross was also the Director of the Business Department at Brandon College.
S. EVERTON (1920 - 1923)
No biographical information yet.
E. SCOTT EATON (1923 - 1931)
E. Scott Eaton was born in Auburn. He graduated from Acadia University in 1903 and the Maritime Business College in 1904. Eaton then taught at the Maritime Business College and the Charlottetown Business College. For a time he was head of the Business Department at Alberta College. Eaton was the owner/manager of the Success Business College in Vancouver before coming to Brandon College. He occupied this position from 1923 until 1931. In 1931 he became purchasing agent and the superintendent of buildings and grounds at Acadia University. He became an accountant at H.T. Warne Ltd. in Digby, NS in 1940. Around 1953, Eaton became the Town Clerk of Digby. Eaton died at the age of 80 around 1962.
M.S. DONOVAN (1931 - 1936, 1939 - 1948)
No biographical information yet.
N. KEITH MCKINNON (1936 - 1939)
Keith McKinnon was born in Weyburn, Saskatchewan. After working in Weyburn he attended Brandon College, specializing in Political Economy. He was very active in all aspects of students affairs and was elected Senior Stick in his final year. He was appointed to the position of Registrar following his graduation from Brandon College.
D.R. MACKAY (1948 - Brandon University)
Information about D.R. MacKay can be found under the Office of the Registrar.
Scope and Content
The Bursar series revolves around the finances of the school. There are invoices from general accounts, letters from businesses, and receipts for payments. There are also numerous student accounts, wage lists and letters regarding teachers’ salaries. The Bursar did a lot of the correspondence regarding mortgages, estates, property, and other legal matters. The series is mainly correspondence to and from the Bursar regarding accounts, overdue accounts, pleas for financial support and numerous other matters. As well, there are financial statements, fundraising lists, and subscription lists. The series is not broken down by Bursar, but instead is grouped together chronologically.
Storage Location
RG 1 Brandon College fonds
Series 3: Office of the Bursar
Arrangement
Series has been divided into seven sub-series, including: (1) R.J. Kennedy; (2) S.J. McKee; (3) C.W. Jackson; (4) John Harris McKee; (5) George H. Ross; (6) S. Everton; and (7) E. Scott Eaton.
The Office of the Registrar was created in 1910. The person in the Registrar’s position was in charge of many aspects of administration. The Registrar was to be drawn from the united departments of Arts and Theology and had four main functions:
1. To have charge (in conference with the President) of all correspondence with prospective students and with previously registered students of the College, in respect to courses of study.
2. To receive students from the Heads of the several Faculties, these Heads of Faculties having indicated by card the department and to register the student and furnish him with a card to the Bursar of the College indicating the fees called for by the course or courses of study, for which the student is registered.
3. To record the class standings of students from the reports furnished by the instructors.
4. To furnish the President with certified copies of such reports as are called for by the terms of affiliation with McMaster, or as he may otherwise require.
Along with these specific functions the Registrar was an officer of the Board of Directors, the Executive, an ex-officia member of the Senate and College Council. The Registrar also acted as the liaison between Brandon College and McMaster University. Following the “Act to Incorporate Brandon College Incorporated” in 1939, the Registrar became Secretary of the Senate and liaison between Brandon College and the University of Manitoba. From the period 1910 to 1967 there was no less than ten Registrars, many of them also taking on the task of Bursar.
BRANDON COLLEGE REGISTRARS:
S.J. MCKEE (1910-1920)
Information on S.J. McKee can be found under the heading MG 1 Brandon College Teaching and Learning.
S. EVERTON (1920-1923)
No biographical information yet.
L.S. JOHNSTON (1923-1924)
No biographical information yet.
CYRIL F. RICHARDS (1924-1935)
Cyril Fuller Richards was born in Dunedin, New Zeland. He came to America in 1905, taking his college prepatory work at the academy of Linfield College, McMinnville, Oregon. Richards spent seven years at Linfield College, four as he earned his B.Sc. and three as an instructor in biology. During that time he also became a naturalized American citizen and married Alice Louise Wood. Together they had one child, Margaret Ruth, who died in 1943.
After leaving Linfield College, Richards obtained his Bachelor of Divinity degree from Colgate-Rochester Divinity School. In 1924, he joined the faculty of Brandon College as Registrar and Professor of Psychology and Philosophy. Richards left the Registar position in 1935 to take over as College Dean. During his years at Brandon College, he also received his M.A. from the University of Manitoba (1935).
In 1937, Richards accepted the position of Dean of Men at Denison University in Granville, Ohio. Richards held this position until 1945, having been appointed Dean of the College there the preceding year. In 1950-1951, he served as acting President of Denison, becoming Vice-President following the appointment of the new president. Richards recieved an honorary doctor of humane letters degree from Linfield College in 1947.
Cyril Fuller Richards died in September 1954 at the age of 59 in Granville, Ohio.
M.S. DONOVAN (1935-1936)
No biographical information yet.
N. KEITH MCKINNON (1936-1938)
Information can be found under the heading Office of the Bursar.
H. STEWART PERDUE (1938-1948)
Information on Dr. Perdue can be found under the heading Office of the College Dean.
D.R. MACKAY (1948-1962)
D.R. MacKay was born in Weyburn, Saskatchewan. He graduated from Brandon College in 1939. MacKay served in the Canadian Army in Canada and Overseas from 1940 to 1947. He was appointed Registrar/Bursar in 1948. MacKay also served as Comptroller, Public Relations Officer, Director of Development and Secretary to the Board of Governors. He remained as Bursar until after Brandon College became Brandon University. He received the Alumni Award in 1974, and the Distinguished Service Award in 1981. MacKay retired in 1984, then served on the Brandon University Foundation Board of Directors. He died on April 1, 1990.
NORMA E. WALMSLEY (1962-1964)
Dr. Walmsley served in the Royal Canadian Air Force Women’s Division in World War II. At the time she became Registrar she was an Associate Professor of Political Science. In 1964, Walmsley resigned as Registrar to accept a position on the Research Branch of the Royal Commission on Bilingualism and Biculturalism.
L.F. PELTZ (1965-Brandon University)
No biographical information yet.
Scope and Content
This series is primarily correspondence between the Registrar of Brandon College and various other people. The letters deal with students, examinations, curriculum, scholarships, and tuition. The Registrar was the liaison between McMaster University and the University of Manitoba when dealing with subject matter during the time that Brandon College was affiliated with these schools. There is a great deal of correspondence between the Brandon College Registrars and the Registrars from these schools. The series also includes correspondence to students from the Registrar regarding room and board at the College. Student and class standings are also included in this collection. Most of the student records are arranged alphabetically by year.
Notes
History/Bio information on C.F. Richards taken from a Brandon Sun article (September 8, 1954).
Storage Location
RG 1 Brandon College fonds
Series 4: Office of the Registrar
Related Material
See RG 6, sub series 4.2 (Office of the Vice-President (Administration & Finance), RG 6, series 10 (Office of Development) and MG 3 1.9 Don MacKay for additional records related to D.R. MacKay.
Arrangement
Series has been divided into eleven sub-series, including: (1) S.J. McKee; (2) S. Everton; (3) L.S. Johnston; (4) Cyril F. Richards; (5) M.S. Donovan; (6) N. Keith McKinnon; (7) H. Stewart Perdue; (8) D.R. MacKay; (9) Norma E. Walmsley; (10) L.F. Peltz; and (11) Registration cards.
The Brandon College Dean was the head of the College in the absence of the President. It was created in 1925 after the sudden passing of Dr. Sweet. Dr. Harris MacNeill, who had been Dean in Arts up until that time assumed the position of College Dean. The duties of the College Dean were as follows:
1. In the absence of the President of the College he shall exercise the functions of the President in relation to all “inside” College matters; it being understood that frequently it may be necessary for him to exercise his personal judgment apart from anything that may be specified in this memorandum.
2. With respect to matters of special importance arising unexpectedly he shall consult with the Chairman of the Board, or by telegram with the President, or both.
3. All questions arising that have a direct connection with the “business” aspects of College affairs shall naturally be referred to the Chairman of the Board, or the President, or both.
4. In the absence of the President he shall preside at all Faculty meetings, Committee meetings of which the President is Chairman, and shall attend meetings of Committees of which the President is an ex-officio member.
5. In the President’s absence he shall preside at the regular Chapel Exercises and at special College gatherings in the Chapel at which the President would naturally be expected to preside.
6. He shall also keep in touch with the work of the several departments of the College and shall consult frequently with the Heads of such departments.
7. While the Lady Principal and the Resident Master are responsible for the detailed administration and discipline of the College life and activities of Clark Hall and Brandon College respectively, the College Dean shall have the absent President’s responsibility for the general discipline of the College in respect of the students’ relation to Courses of Study, Corridor, Campus, etc.
8. That the President when absent may be kept in touch with the work of the Institution it is desirable that the College Dean keep him informed of the more important happenings and problems with College life.
9. Throughout the Session the College Dean shall be Registering Head of the Arts Department.
The position of College Dean continued until 1952. In 1952 the position became known as the Dean of Arts and Science. In 1963, another change occurred, with the two departments going separate ways. From that time on there was both a Dean of Arts and a Dean of Science.
BRANDON COLLEGE DEANS:
HARRIS LACHLAN MACNEILL (1925, 1926-1928)
Dr. MacNeill was born in Paisley, ON on November 29 or 30, 1871, the son of Rev. Donald and Amanda (Hemenway) MacNeill. He received his B.A. from McMaster University in 1894. He was also educated at the Ontario College of Pedagogy and the University of Toronto. From 1895 until 1898 he was a teacher at Woodstock College. In 1899 he married Anne Hatch. From 1899 until 1903 he was a professor of Latin at Washburn College in Topeka, Kansas. In 1903 he accepted an offer to teach Latin and German at Brandon College. In 1909 he was a Professor of the New Testament, Language and Literature, as well as Resident Master. Dr. MacNeill was the Academy Principal for two years. He then received his Ph.D. from the University of Chicago in 1911. MacNeill acted as the Dean of Arts from 1912 until 1930. Dr. MacNeill was the central figure in the scandal involving Brandon College in the early 1920’s. The Fundamentalist Baptists accused Brandon College, and Dr. MacNeill especially, of teaching Modernist views. He was absolved of any charges at the 1924 Baptist Convention in Chicago.
Dr. MacNeill was Acting President of Brandon College after Dr. Sweet died for the period from January 1925 until Dr. Bovington was hired in August 1925. After Dr. Bovington resigned in May of 1926, Dr. MacNeill again accepted the position of Acting President from May 1926 until April 3, 1928, when he retired as College Dean. Dr. MacNeill taught Latin and Greek for two more years then retired from Brandon College in 1930. He accepted a position at Fairview Church in Vancouver, B.C. where he remained until 1932. In 1932 he was offered a teaching position at McMaster University. He married his second wife, Vera Leech, in 1939. He remained at McMaster teaching New Testament Interpretation until 1943 when he retired. Dr. MacNeill was the first person to receive an honorary degree from Brandon University in 1967. He continued to do religious research until his eyesight failed at age 97. On January 15, 1974, Dr. MacNeill died at the Chedoke Hospital at the age of 102.
JOHN ROBERT CHARLES EVANS (1928)
Information on J.R.C. Evans can be found under the heading Office of the President.
W. BURTON HURD (1929-1935)
No biographical information yet.
C.F. RICHARDS (1935-1937)
Information on C.F. Richards can be found under the heading Office of the Registrar.
REV. EVAN M. WHIDDEN (1937-1938)
See MG 1 Brandon College Teaching and Administration, 1.8 Evan McDonald Whidden fonds for biographical information and additional records related to Rev. Evan M. Whidden.
A. HAYWARD FOSTER (1938-1939)
No biographical information yet.
F.J. WESTCOTT (1939-1945)
Frederick James Westcott was born in Douglas, Manitoba. He began taking classes in the Academy at Brandon College in 1918. He entered the Arts course in 1921 and specialized in Political Economy. He received the Special Political Economy Medal in his final year. He was very active on committees and associations, as well as sports. Westcott served as the Senior Stick during the school term 1924-1925. He graduated with his B.A. from Brandon College in 1925.
Westcott received the position of Student Assistant in the Academy the following year. He left soon after to pursue post-graduate work. He received his M.A. in economics from Harvard and spent two years at the University of Toronto on a teaching scholarship in economics, completing the course work leading to the Ph.D. degree. In 1929, he returned to Brandon College and took up the position of Associate Professor of Political Economy. It was also in 1929, that Westcott married Rose Vasey, a 1926 Brandon College graduate. The following year, Westcott was the Resident Master of Brandon College, as well as being an Instructor in Political Economy and Sociology. The Resident Master position only lasted the one school year. He accepted the post of Acting Dean of Arts and Science in 1939. From 1942 until 1945 he was away on military leave with the National War Finance Committee. He resigned from the position of College Dean in 1945. From 1945 on Westcott and his family resided in Toronto. He died suddenly in 1961.
HENRY STEWART PERDUE (1947-1952)
Dr. Perdue was born in 1904 near Souris. He graduated from the Souris Collegiate in 1920. After working several odd jobs, Dr. Perdue entered Brandon College in 1924. He graduated with his B.A. in 1928. After graduation, Dr. Perdue was hired as a teacher in the Academic Department. He received his M.A. in 1930, and went on to receive his Ph.D. in Geology from the University of Chicago. In 1930, Dr. Perdue became the Director of the Matriculation Department as well as an Instructor in Geology. In 1931, he took over the position of Resident Master. In 1937, he married Ella May Higgens, who was the Resident Nurse. From 1938 until 1948, Dr. Perdue acted as Registrar of Brandon College.
In 1947, Dr. Perdue accepted the position of College Dean. This position ran until 1952, when it was changed to the position of Dean of Arts and Science. Dr. Perdue also held this position until 1962, when the office separated into the Dean of Arts and the Dean of Science. Dr. Perdue continued in the position of Dean of Science until 1967. After Dr. Evans death in July of 1959, Dr. Perdue became Acting President. He held this position from August 1959 until August 1960, when Dr. Robbins was appointed President. Dr. Perdue retired from teaching Geology in 1973. He died on December 22, 1979 at the age of 75.
DEAN OF ARTS AND SCIENCE:
H.S. PERDUE (1952-1963)
Information on H.S. Perdue can be found under the heading College Dean.
DEAN OF ARTS
R.F.B. KING (1963 - Brandon University)
Information on R.F.B. King can be found under RG 6 Brandon University fonds, sub-sub series 7.1.1 Dean of Arts.
DEAN OF SCIENCE:
H.S. PERDUE (1963-1967)
Information of H.S. Perdue can be found under the heading College Dean.
Scope and Content
The series consists of records from MacNeill's term as College Dean (1921-1928). It also includes correspondence during the time that MacNeill was Acting President. It contains letters to and from MacNeill regarding examinations, students, business, and finances. Some earlier letters also include correspondence regarding the controversy MacNeill was in during the Baptist Fundamentalist/Modernist Debate in the early 1920’s.
Records from Evans' term as Acting Dean have been included in his Presidents' files. There are no records from the terms of the other College Deans, except R.F.B. King; his records have been encorporated into RG 6 (Brandon University fonds), 7.1.1 (Dean of Arts).
Storage Location
RG 1 Brandon College fonds
Series 6: Office of the College Dean
Related Material
RG 6, sub sub series 7.1.1 (Dean of Arts) for additional Dean's records and RG 6, series 9 (Department of Extension) for additional records related to H.S. Perdue.
These files were created from 1899-1967. They include almost all of the financial records from this time. Before the creation of the Bursar position in 1910, the files were probably created by Dr. McDiarmid and Dr. McKee. After 1910, it is assumed that it was primarily the Bursar’s responsibility to update the ledgers. As well, various committees were involved in the creation of these ledgers, such as the Refund Committee and the Library Committee.
Scope and Content
Many of the Ledgers in this collection contain clear information about how Brandon College raised and spent its money. There are General Accounts Ledgers that give an overall view of the College’s finances, as well as Financial Reports from 1910 through to 1969. There are several ledgers entitled Cash Receipts and Disbursements and Petty Cash.
Some interesting files from a researcher’s point of view are the Student Accounts Ledgers. Dating from 1899, these ledgers contain information regarding each student that attended Brandon College. The ledgers record the tuition, board and other students expenses, how it was paid and who it was for. There are also Book Accounts. These two books describe the books students had to buy for their classes. There is a book of room deposits, as well as a list of students by their hometown and denomination.
The Miscellaneous file is probably the most interesting one in the collection. There is a ledger created by Sadie Northam in 1898. The book contains expenses from what was possibly the Dining Room, as the purchases are mainly large amounts of groceries. The collection also includes the minute book from the Refunds Committee from 1914 to 1923. This committee heard appeals from students who desired some or all of their money back from the College. A very intriguing article in the miscellaneous file is that of the COTC Day Sheets. This ledger runs from March through April of an unknown year, although it most likely was 1915 or 1916. It has a list of students that were in the COTC and has columns for each day that they had drill practice. They COTC drilled twice a day, and the Day Sheets mark if the student was present for drill, and if he was not, what his reason for being absent was. It also contains a list of duties for the duty officer, as well as some memorandums.
There are two books in this series that record the Staff salaries from 1918 to 1921 and 1926 to 1928. There is also a ledger from the Brandon College Institute, Session 08. There is no date on this ledger, and it is not quite certain what the Institute was, as there is no other mention of it. Although the collection has been divided under various headings, it must be noted that there is considerable overlap, especially between the General Accounts, Cash Receipts and Disbursements, and the Student Accounts Ledgers.
The series has been divided into six sub-series, including: (1) General accounts ledgers; (2) Financial reports; (3) Cash receipts and disbursments ledgers; (4) Petty cash ledgers; (5) Student accounts ledgers; and (6) Miscellaneous ledgers and minute books.
Storage Location
RG 1 Brandon College fonds
Series 13: Brandon College Ledger and Minute books
Series contains private papers from various professors and administrators at Brandon College.
It has been divided into the following sub-series:
MG 1 1.1 Rev. Dr. Samuel James McKee
MG 1 1.2 Rev. Dr. Franklin W. Sweet
MG 1 1.3 Mrs. Olive Wilkins
MG 1 1.4 Thomas Russell Wilkins
MG 1 1.5 Esther Magdalene Moore
MG 1 1.6 Thomas Hector McLeod
MG 1 1.7 Albert Edward McKenzie
MG 1 1.8 Evan McDonald Whidden
MG 1 1.9 Sarah Persis Darrach
MG 1 1.10 J.R.C. Evans
MG 1 1.11 Martin Johns
MG 1 1.12 Wilfred McCutcheon
The A. E. McKenzie Seed Co. Ltd. has had a Board of Directors since its incorporation in 1906. The first Board consisted of A. E. McKenzie, S. A. Bedford, the director of the Experimental Farm, H. L. Patmore and W. A. McCracken. Following A.E. McKenzie’s death, the government of Manitoba appointed the members of the Board under the arrangements made with the establishment of the A.E. Mckenzie Foundation.
According to the general by-laws (c. 1960) of A. E. McKenzie Seed Co. Ltd., the Board of Directors annually, or more often if required, elected from among themselves a President, a Vice-President and a General Manager. They were also responsible for appointing an Assistant General Manager, and a Secretary and a Treasurer. If needed, they would also appoint an Assistant Secretary and an Assistant Treasurer. A majority vote of the Board was required for the election or appointment of the above officers. Those individuals elected or appointed to their offices by the Board could be removed at the pleasure of the Board. The Board also had the power to fix the salaries of all of the officers of the Company. By resolution, it could pass this responsibility to the General Manager.
Custodial History
See fonds level description of custodial history of A. E. McKenzie Seed Co. Ltd.
Scope and Content
This series consists of Board minutes/meetings, management consultant reports, financial records, documents and miscellaneous records.
It has been divided into five sub-series, including: (1) Documents; (2) Minutes/Meetings; (3) Management Consultant Reports; (4) Miscellaneous; and (5) Financial Records.
Storage Location
RG 3 A.E. McKenzie Company fonds
McS 1 Board of Directors
The offices of the President and General Manager were established in 1896 with the creation of A. E. McKenzie Seed Co. Ltd. These positions were held jointly by the one officer of company until 1975, when the Board of Directors of the Company divided the two positions, thereby relieving the President from management of plant operations.
Under the General By-Laws of the Company, the President, when present, presided over all Board of Directors meetings. He also signed all documents that may have required his signature and performed any other duties assigned to him by the board. The President exercised general supervision and control over the business of the Company and performed such duties as are usually associated with the office of President of Chief Executive officer of a company.
The General Manager had full power and authority to manage and direct the business and affairs of the Company. He was also responsible for employing and discharging agents and employees of the Company. After A.E. McKenzie gifted the majority of his company shares to the Government of Manitoba in 1945, the General Manager remained responsible for all operations of the Company. However, the General Manager found himself accountable to a Board of Directors comprised mainly of government appointees.
A. E. McKenzie held the offices of President/General Manager from 1896 until his death in 1964, at which time J. Lasby Lowes succeeded him. Following Lowes' retirement in 1968, A.R. Swanson was appointed by the government to fill the positions. Anthony J. Maruca became President of A.E. McKenzie Co. Ltd. in 1972. In 1975, the Board of Directors appointed William Moore the first individual to hold the position of General Manager without also occupying the President's office. At the same time, Mr. Pat Kelleher was named the new interim President. Following Kelleher's resignation, Moore was appointed President of the company. Keith Guelpa became President around 1984 following Moore's departure from the company to face criminal charges arising from his activities as an officer of the company. Raymond West assumed the position after Guelpa’s departure.
Custodial History
See fonds level description of custodial history of A. E. McKenzie Seed Co. Ltd.
Scope and Content
Series consists almost entirely of records and documents generated by the first two President/General Managers of A.E. McKenzie Seed Co. Ltd. In addition to the records created by A.E. McKenzie and J. Lasby Lowes in their capacity as President/General Manager, records pertaining to the various properties owned by the Company are also included. The series also contains marketing documents, including catalogues and sales literature, as well as a reference library comprised of twenty titles dealing with business and the seed industry and some records dealing with the President/General Managers following Lowes' retirement.
The series has been divided into seven sub-series, including: (1) A.E. McKenzie; (2) J. Lasby Lowes; (3) Comptroller; (4) Properites; (5) Marketing; (6) Reference Library; and (7) Miscellaneous Publications/Correspondence.
Storage Location
RG 3 A.E. McKenzie Company fonds
McS 2 Office of the President/General Manager
The Seed Marketing Company Ltd. was located at P. O. Drawer 1885, Winnipeg, Manitoba, and, later, at 382 Maryland Street, Winnipeg. Created by the A. E. McKenzie Co. Ltd., this company was incorporated under Dominion Charter by Federal Letters Patent, dated March 18, 1930. As well, the company was registered only in Manitoba under the provisions of the Manitoba Companies Act.
A. E. McKenzie made the application for the charter under the name A. E. McKenzie Co. Ltd. and, from 1933, the Board of Directors was made up of employees of A. E. McKenzie Co. Ltd. Although the authorized capital stock of the company was 500 no par value shares, only 50 of these were issued and allotted at a price of $10 per share.
According to a letter written by A. E. McKenzie to the Acting Director, Department of the Secretary of State, Companies Division, Ottawa, Ontario, the company was created with a specific purpose in mind. During the years 1930-1933, A. E. McKenzie Co. Ltd. accumulated a large quantity of oats for seeding purposes, at a time when crops were generally poor due to extended drought. These seeds, as well as wheat, barley and flax were supplied to farmers on a signed order in the name of Seed Marketing Co. Ltd. Parties, either individuals or municipalities, took a "Seed Grain Mortgage" from the Seed Marketing Co. as a method of payment. This enabled the farmers, who had little or no money, to plant crops. Presumably following harvest the mortgage was paid off.
On the whole the idea of supplying distressed farmers with seed through a Seed Grain Mortgage was fairly successful. In addition to selling the seed directly to the farmers, seed was also sold to rural municipalities, from whom payments were assured. The municipalities, in turn, assumed responsibility for payment from the farmers to whom they had supplied the seed purchased from the Seed Marketing Company.
The original Board of Directors was as follows: A. B. Downing, J. L. Lowes, F. B. Roberts, F. C. Thompson, and J.A. Young. Each received 1 share each in the company. H. J. Morden, a former member of the Corporation, held the other 45 shares from Winnipeg.
From 1933-1936, J. A. Young was President of the company. Following his death in 1936, the position was given to A. B. Downing, who acted as President of the Seed Marketing Company until illness forced him to step down in 1959. In 1960, J. L. Lowes became President, and the following members of A. E. McKenzie Co. Ltd. became Directors: R. R. West, Miss E. A. Yeo and J. R. McPhail.
The Seed Marketing Company had been kept alive under its original charter in case A. E. McKenzie Co. Ltd. might have cause to use it for some other purpose. Eventually, the company was considered in default by the federal government for neglecting to fill Annual Returns for the year 1962. At that time, the company was informed that it was no longer considered a subsisting corporation, and, as such, was no longer entitled to the sole use of its corporate name. That same year, A.E. McKenzie Co. Ltd. relinquished interest in the Seed Marketing Company Ltd., and the remaining Directors resigned their positions.
The name "Seed Marketing Co. Ltd." was also used by A. E. McKenzie Co. Ltd. on two other occasions. Around 1948, the name was used in Ontario under authority of an Extra Provincial License from the Province of Ontario, especially in labeling cartons of a Lawn Grass mixture to meet price competition in Quebec, the Maritimes and Towers Discount Department Stores.
Prior to 1948 the name was used to in the purchase of Forage Crop Seeds in northern Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta.
Custodial History
See fonds level description of custodial history of A. E. McKenzie Seed Co. Ltd.
Scope and Content
This series includes minutes from meetings of the Board of Directors and shareholders of the company. It also includes correspondence between McKenzie, Lowes, Wm. Johnson, the Department of the Secretary of State, W.E. Chiswell - Comptroller for McKenzie Seeds, Robert Steen and various other individuals dealing with the incorporation of the company, its charter and letters of patent. Some of the records deal with the failure of the company to file annual returns for the years 1963 and 1964. The series also contains financial records including annual summaries/reports, corporation income tax returns, and return of information and particulars under the Manitoba Companies Act.
Also included within the series is a book (27.5 x 38 x 3 cm) containing the letters of patent incorporating the Seed Marketing Co., the general by-laws of the company, and minutes from meetings of its Board of Directors.
Information regarding the Seed Marketing Co. is located in Series 2 (Office of the President/GM), sub-series 2 (J. Lasby Lowes), Historical Topics file 23 of the A.E. McKenzie Seed Co. Ltd. fonds.
The minutes were created by the summer fair Board of Directors and the various committees and sub-committees associated with the Board.
There is ample evidence in the minutes of the Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba that the administrative structure was largely one by committee. By 1903, there were at least nine separate committees. These committees were Grounds and Buildings, Sports and Attractions, Public Comfort, Advertising and Printing, Privileges, Gates, Finance, Excursion and Transportation, and Prize List. Of these committees only Public Comfort, Privileges, and Excursion and Transportation were comparatively short-lived. These committees are not mentioned after 1903, 1920, and 1925, respectively. The remaining six committees all survive in various forms to this day.
In 1908 there is mention of a Speed committee, which dealt with the racetrack at the fairgrounds. This committee was in existence until the early 1970s, when racing, along with the condemned grandstand, was discontinued. By 1915 there is mention of a Reception committee that continues on until the mid-1970s.
In the 1920 minutes several committees are mentioned. The committees included Concessions, Grandstand, Accommodation, Police/Security, and Wild Birds and Animals. The Wild Birds and Animals is not mentioned in further minutes, but Grandstand and Accommodation are mentioned into the mid 1950s. Both the Concessions and Police/Security are mentioned until the late 1970s.
In 1925, there are several new committees mentioned. They include Heavy Horse, Light Horse, Beef Cattle, Dairy Cattle, Sheep, Swine, Farm Boy’s Camp, Poultry, Grains and Grasses, Horticulture, Dairy Competition, Machinery Row, Natural History, Fine Arts and School Exhibits, and Livestock Parade. The enormous expansion of committees is a reflection of the expansion of the exhibition. Almost all aspects of farming now had its own committee, and an effort to help young people continue in farming was made with the forming of camps for farm boys. All of these committees were long lived, although not necessarily with the original title. From approximately 1930 to 1940, all of the Cattle were lumped together, but by 1950 a Commercial Cattle committee was mentioned, and by 1974 there was also a Special Agriculture Display and Exotic Breeds. By 1979 there were Steer Show and Bull Sale committees. Around 1930, a Calf and Colt Competition committee was also added.
In 1930 there is mention of a Dining Room committee, but it is not mentioned again. In response to changing society, a Car Parking committee was created around 1935. This committee remained under various titles through to today. Another short-lived committee, Grandstand Gates, is mentioned from about 1935 to 1940. For some time there was also a Band Competition committee. It is mentioned from 1940 to 1945, and then not again until 1979.
In 1950 there was a Dogs committee, but no further mention is made of this committee. From 1955 to 1960 there was a separate Fire committee, until it was amalgamated with Police/Security. In 1955 two new committees are mentioned. These are the Trade Fair and Homecraft committees. While the Trade Fair is not mentioned after about 1960, the Homecraft committee seems to have been in existence until the mid 1970s.
A 4-H and Junior Activities committee was formed around 1960 to take the place of the Farm Boy’s Camp. This committee continued the exhibition’s attempts to keep young rural people interested in farming.
In the minutes for 1970, two more committees are mentioned. They are the Food and Beverage and the Bees and Honey committees. While one would suppose that the Food and Beverage Services committee was a new title for the Concessions committee, the Concessions committee is also mentioned. The Bees and Honey committee is mentioned until about 1974 in committee minutes.
By 1974 three more committees are mentioned in the minutes. They were the Baby Fair committee, which was a petting zoo, the Expansion, Project and Grants committee and the Midway committee. While the Midway and Baby Fair committees lasted until at least the late 1970s, the Expansion, Projects and Grants committee is not mentioned past the mid 1970s. Also mentioned in 1979 are the Pork Congress, Family Fair, Entertainment, and Exhibitor’s Lounge committees.
Custodial History
See sous-fonds RG2SF1 for custodial history.
Scope and Content
The records consist of minutes created by the Board of Directors, Shareholders, and various committees and subcommittees of the Provincial Exhibition. It should be noted that while the minutes are extensive, they are not organized according to committee. Rather, they are organized by the year in which they were created.
Notes
Inventory of documents in the series is available in the printed finding aid.
Storage Location
RG 2 Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba Association fonds
RG2SF1 Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba
These minutes were created by the Board of Directors and the Shareholders at the meetings that they held from 1908 to 1932. The Board of Directors was created in 1908. While the collection currently houses minutes from 1908 to 1932, it is evident from Prize Lists and Programs that the Board of Directors structure evolved in the following way.
The structure of the winter fair was quite different from the summer fair. Instead of having a committee structure, the winter fair had both committees and representatives from various agricultural associations. The representatives were part of the Board of Directors. In 1908 these representatives included men from the Horse Breeders’ Association, the Cattle Breeders’ Association, the Sheep Breeders’ Association, the Swine Breeders’ Association, the Poultry Breeders’ Association, the Brandon Winter Fair and Fat Stock Association, and the Manitoba Agricultural College. With the addition of representatives from the Manitoba Clydesdale Association, and the Manitoba Seed Growers’ Association, these committees continued virtually without change until 1930.
By the 1930s, several more representatives joined the Board of Directors including the Winnipeg Livestock Exchange, the Manitoba Percheron Association, the Canadian Shorthorn Association, and the Hereford Association. By 1935 there were also representatives from the Prairie Thoroughbred and Racing Association, the Manitoba Boards of Trade, the Western Manitoba Board of Trade, the Aberdeen Angus Association, and the Canadian Percheron Association. The Canadian Clydesdale Association joined the Board by 1940.
By 1950, several more agricultural associations had joined the Board of Directors. They included the Brandon Light Horse Society, the Brandon Chamber of Commerce, the Manitoba Veterinary Association, the Minister of Agriculture, the Deputy Minister of Agriculture, and the Canadian Red Poll Association. By 1955, a representative from the City of Brandon rounded out the representatives on the Board of Directors.
The first committees of the Board of Directors began in 1908 with the formation of the Brandon Winter Fair and Fat Stock Association. The committees included an Executive, Horse, Livestock, Cattle, Sheep, Swine, Poultry and Seed. By 1915 there were also Program, Prize/Accounts, Carcass, Exhibits/Public Comfort, Building, and Provincial Government committees. Most of these later committees were not long lived, or were not mentioned much past 1915. A Judging Competition Committee was added in 1925 and lasted until sometime in the 1940s. In 1950 an official Finance committee was formed, as well as a Gates/Tickets committee. By 1955, three more committees had been added including 4-H/Junior Activities, Light Horse and Heavy Horse.
By the 1960s, a Publicity committee was also added. In 1965 there were several committees formed including Police/Traffic/Parking, Concessions, Calf/Pig Scrambles, Baby Fair, Flower Show and the Fall Feeder Show and Sale. A Fashion Show committee was added by 1970. In 1975 a Property committee is also mentioned.
The 1980s appear to have been a time of great growth for the winter fair, as there was a large increase in the number of committees. By 1985 the following committees had been formed: Dance, Hitching Ring, Steer Show, Bull Sale, Western Breakfast, Egg Show, Entertainment, Exhibitor’s Lounge, VIP, Cattle Parade, Calcutta, Winter Fair Sponsors, Casino and Royal Manitoba Winter Fair. These committees continued for the most part through into the 1990s.
Custodial History
See sous-fonds RG2SF2 for custodial history.
Scope and Content
The series includes the minutes from meetings held from 1908 to 1932. An interesting aspect to these records is that they include the first meetings held by the newly formed winter fair Board of Directors. The early minutes are an interesting look into the formation of an organization.
Notes
Inventory of the documents in the series is available in the printed finding aid.
Storage Location
RG 2 Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba Association fonds
RG2SF2 Manitoba Winter Fair
The minutes were created by a committee formed by the Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba Association on the occasion of the opening of the Keystone Centre in 1973.
Custodial History
The records were held by the MEA until c1986 when they were transferred to the S.J. McKee Archives located at Brandon University.
Scope and Content
The minutes include a meeting of the Keystone Centre Opening Committee on 24 Jan 1973.
Notes
Part of RG2SF4. Inventory of documents in the series is available in the printed finding aid.
Storage Location
RG 2 Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba Association fonds
RG2SF4 Miscellaneous
Series A is comprised of the records of the local co-operative elevator association as established in the period 1925 - 1968 under the Co-operative Associations Act. Until 1968 the local associations were the main administrative unit of Manitoba Pool Elevators. Subsequent to 1968 Pool Elevators became a direct membership top down organization. The central office was at the top, and the province was divided into seven administrative districts, which were in turn each divided into six sub-districts. Each sub-district would usually contain approximately five "locals". Please note that local associations were not obliged to become part of the new structure of Manitoba Pool Elevators, and as late as 1975 there were still 29 locals that did not belong to a sub-district. The records of each local within the Series may, but do not necessarily, contain the following: organizational papers, minutes of executive board, minutes of shareholders annual meeting, financial statements, correspondence, membership lists, miscellaneous. Series has been divided into 233 sub-series.
Notes
This series contains records for both local associations and for sub-districts. Item number does not correspond to sub-district number, so an item number and sub-district number may be the same and correspond to two seperate records.
The structure of the Manitoba Pool Elevators from its beginning in 1925 until its restructuring in 1968 placed importance in the principle of democracy. The company was run from the local associations, the central office acting as a hub that facilitated communication between all the locals and between the locals and the selling agencies. The central office was not powerless, but important decisions or by-laws could not be made with out the consent of the majority of the locals.
After the restructuring of MPE in 1968 the central office took on more responsibilities. It became the top of the administrative structure and instead of members belonging to their local elevator, they were now direct members of MPE. This administrative structure continued until the 1998 merger with the Alberta Wheat Pool to form Agricore.
Scope and Content
Series B consists of an artificially assembled collection of Central Office records. It has been divided into the following sub-series: (1) Central Office minute books; (2) Documents; (3) Local Association Minutes; (4) Local association finacial statements; (5) District and Sub-district records; (6) Circulars; (7) Annual reports; (8) Speeches & Addresses; (9) Correspondence; (10) Broadcasts; (11) General Reports; (12) Indexes; (13) Summary of Association Operations; (14) Acquisitions; (15) Inter-provincial Committees; (16) Historical Topics.
Box contains bound volumes of Manitoba Wheat Pool and Manitoba Pool Elevators central office meeting minutes. Volumes in this box include:
Manitoba Wheat Co-operative Producers, Ltd. July 1923 – May 1929; Manitoba Wheat Pool June 1929 – June 1934
MPE Minute Book May 1925 – July 1937
MPE Minute Book Sept 1953 – July 1959
MPE Minute Book August 1946 – July 1953
Box contains bound volumes of Manitoba Pool Elevators central office meeting minutes. Volumes in this box include:
MPE Minute Book Sept 1953 – July 1959
MPE Minute Book Oct 1959 – July 1964
MPE Minute Book Oct 1964 – Oct 1968
MPE Minute Book Oct 1968 – July 1971
Box contains unbound Manitoba Pool Elevators central office meeting minutes. Folders in this box include: unbound minutes of MPE Annual and Special Meetings 1976-98; Prospectus Nov 28 1997; MPE Annual Meeting Minutes 1990 and 1991; MPE Delegates Meetings 1989-1998; MPE Board of Directors Meetings July 16 1997 – May 19 1998; MPE Board of Directors Meetings August 20 1996 - June 18 1997; Agricore / AWP / MPE Board of Directors Meetings June 12 1998 – Oct 30 1998.
