Battling Premier of This Great Land (#4 of Series)
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The start of the three caches that make up the pride of the
series: find the birthplace of a premier, and find the beginning of
your own unique adventure here in the series just outside of
Inverness!
"Nar laga Dia do lahm" Series
Cache #4
Today, after delaying on it from yesterday and having a Sunday
vacant of possibilities after a cramped long weekend, I decided to
hide some geocaches. Part of the "Nar laga Dia do lahm" series,
these caches extend a short distance outside of Inverness, although
are still richly connected to our village's history and the
absolute beauty which our nook of the Island hides for all of those
willing enough to find it to take it into their lives.
I will say that when I left to hide these three caches today,
numbers four, five, and six, it was a cold October 30th, 2005. As I
made my venture out of town for a couple of hours to hide these, I
experienced the true ideals of the sport of geocaching: to enrich
the mind, the body, and the soul. Hiding these three caches was the
single most humble moment I have held to my heart in my short
geocaching time, and I am convinced, without a shadow of doubt in
my mind, that caches four, five, and six of the "Nar laga Dia do
lahm" series present the most fascinating opportunities to further
your mind, body, and soul in life of the entire series to date:
opportunities that my words cannot begin to describe.
Let me first enrich your mind by inviting you to travel to the
birthplace of Angus L. MacDonald, a former World War I veteran and
premier of Nova Scotia who was vital to the creation of our Canso
Causeway, the Department of Education, the Royal Canadian Navy, and
the Nova Scotia that we know today, with a bridge connecting
Halifax and Dartmouth that bears his name.
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Angus L. MacDonald was a veteran of the First World War, and a
university professor with a doctorate from Harvard Law School.
Angus L won the leadership of the Liberal Party in Nova Scotia in
1930, and his government went into power for Nova Scotia in 1933.
MacDonald's first move as premier was to fulfil a campaign promise
and put into force the federal Old Age Pension Act. MacDonald also
took steps to help those affected most by the depression by finding
new markets for the farmer's produce and by passing the first trade
Union Act which declared that workers had the right to form trade
unions and to collective bargaining.
MacDonald also supported a shorter workday, and built new highways
across the province. At the same time, MacDonald was popular with
business interests because of his efforts to reduce overall
government expenditures. With the depression easing and the economy
recovering, MacDonald's Liberals won re-election in 1937 with an
increased majority.
However, after World War II broke out in 1939 MacDonald was
persuaded to move to the national scene to help with the war
effort. He resigned as premier and recommended his right-hand man,
Alexander MacMillan, as his successor. On July 12, 1940, MacDonald
was named minister of national defence for naval services. He
remained at that post until the war ended in 1945. When MacDonald
returned to Nova Scotia, Premier MacMillan was ready to step down.
Angus L. was selected as Party leader once more, and the Liberals
swept back into office with the largest mandate in the history of
the province. The Conservatives did not elect a single member, and
the opposition consisted of only two CCF members. The government
continued to move forward. The first education department was
created, and new projects such as the bridge between Halifax and
Dartmouth and the Canso causeway to link Cape Breton to the
mainland were undertaken.
In the 1953 election the Conservatives made more gains, but Angus
L. was still firmly in control. By this time, however, his health
was deteriorating. MacDonald was admitted to hospital on the
evening of April 11, 1954, after apparently suffering a heart
attack. At 1:50am, April 13, Angus L. MacDonald passed away at the
age of 63.
The emotional impact of his death was tremendous. Newspapers
described him as the most beloved Nova Scotia statesman and scholar
since Joseph Howe. A state funeral from St. Mary's Basilica in
Halifax was followed by a funeral procession through city streets
while an estimated 100,000 people looked on. Prior to that, as his
body lay in state at province House, some 85,000 mourners walked
past the casket to pay their final respects.
Angus L. MacDonald was the pride of Nova Scotia, born right here at
home.
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To travel to the monument of his birthplace where the cache is
located, cross the Canso Causeway and follow Trunk 19 to Inverness.
Drive through Inverness to Dunvegan, and after a sharp turn, you
will come to an intersection. Turn left where the blue sign points
to the birthplace of Angus L. MacDonald, down Shore Road, and there
is ample parking space at the monument marking his birth place,
which is the second monument dedicated to him a very short drive
down the road. Parking is more than available, and the cache can be
found in the area! It may be a bit difficult of a find, and don't
mind if the terrain is a bit wet after a rain!
Enrich your mind with the history of one of Nova Scotia's finest
citizens in the history of this great land, and take in the
fascination that I hope the series adds to your life! Make sure
to bring your own writing stick!
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Pnvea, creuncf?