The Past

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Museum page

At the end of August. 1904, and continuing for several weeks afterward, the Edenograph printed a short note: " Graham Rosoman, who was for many years Accountant to the Columbia Flouring Mills Co. in Enderby, has resigned his position with that firm and is now seeking employment for part of his time."

There were three gentlemen applying for the position of City Clerk. Each one had written a short letter stating his expected salary: Rosoman would tender his services for a salary of $200 per year. Hugh H. Worthington wanted $150 for the balance of the year, and W.T. Broderick would have worked for $10 per month. On March 23, 1905, the day after the first council was elected, Rosoman wrote a full page application saying that he had held a similar position in London, England for 14 years and was: "well acquainted with bookkeeping and accountancy, official correspondence, preparation and attendance on public committees and councils, keeping of minutes, records, etc., and in fact with the whole routine of official business".

Graham Rosoman was hired and took an oath of office before Fred H. Barnes. J.P. on March 31, 1905. On April 5, 1905, the Edenograph stated: 'The selection of Graham Rosoman as clerk in Enderby is most fortunate. He is a man in whom all classes have explicit confidence, and has the ability to do the business as only a few men could."

At the time of the Great Depression when the city ran into financial difficulties, Rosoman gave many months of his salary to the city. In addition, Rosoman often worked both day and night. In the 1920's Rosoman brought in his daughter, Hazel, as his assistant. When he retired, Hazel Rosoman took over the responsibility of City Clerk from her father. The Rosomans served as clerks for Enderby for the first fifty years after the city's incorporation.

Upon Graham Rosoman's retirement as city clerk, he was given the freedom of the city. The following is Graham Rosoman's acceptance speech upon receiving the Freedom of the City.

"Your Worship and Gentlemen: I thank you indeed for the very great honor you have given me-by conferring upon me the Freedom of the City. The service of our City has been my lifework for almost fifty years, and words fail me to express my appreciation of the honor you have now accorded me.

"At such a time it is natural to look back and perhaps I may be permitted to mention some of the things that come to my memory vividly at this time. It is now just over 47 years ago when, at a meeting of our newly elected first City Council. held in a small wooden building on the river bank which was dignified by the name of "The Court House', because it was owned by the Provincial Government and was used for all Provincial Police and Court purposes, I was given my first duties as Clerk of our City. This meeting was held at 7:30 in the evening, on March 30th, year 1905. We had our Certificate of Incorporation at that time and nothing else.

"At this meeting we received the Returns of our first election from Dr. R. Irvine Bentley, who was Enderby's first resident Physician, and who had acted as Returning Officer for this, our first election. Our first Mayor, Mr. George Bell, whose photograph you have seen all through the years in a place of honor above the window at the head of our Council Table, presided at the meeting, and the Aldermen were Mr. R.P. Bradley, Mr. Joseph Evans, Mr. N.H. Kenny, Mr. George R. Sharpe and Mr. Edward T. Smith. They gave me a book to keep the minutes in, a pencil and pen and ink-and told me to 'go to it'.

"At another meeting held one week later. a Finance Committee and Works Committee were appointed. and we decided to inquire from a certain Mr. Cummings. of Ashcroft, whether he could supply us with a secondhand safe. At that time the City's water supply was hauled from the river by a water-cart. owned and operated by Alderman Smith. the water being stored in barrels on the premises of each consumer. who paid Alderman Smith a small sum for the hauling. And at that time there were no electric lights - either street lights or lights in stores or dwellings - we had to use coal oil lamps. From such beginnings our City of Enderby as we now know it has come - in 47 years.                

"Our good first Mayor and all the Alderman who sat with him on our first Council have long since 'passed to Higher Service'. In those far off days they had great visions of the Enderby that was to be, and looking back on our progress through the years, I think that perhaps, after all the 'ups and downs' which we have weathered, had they still been with us they would not be disappointed.

"On coming to Canada from England 59 years ago, Enderby was the place which I decided should be my home. When the town was incorporated, in year 1905, and the opportunity for public service was given me, I felt that this was my privilege and my life-work, and in spite of many larger opportunities from the point of view of worldly gain, it was my choice to stay in Enderby. During all the 47 years of my service, the City of Enderby's progress through all the varying conditions of difficulty or success had been a part of my life. And when I remember how little there was here 47 years ago, and then take a walk down our main street - especially on a Saturday night when all our fine stores are brilliantly lighted and our street lights are fully on, I have a feeling of great satisfaction - this Enderby of ours is a good place in which to live.

"Again I thank you most sincerely for bestowing upon me the Freedom of this, our City. As a Freeman of the City of Enderby, my first thought, as always in all the years past. will be to do anything in my power for Enderby's good. "

Yours very truly,

Graham Rosoman, City Supervisor
Enderby. B.C. May 12th. 1952

Malorie Nobbs
ALF School, 1989