February 1, 1930
Victoria Daily Times
Two Private Schools Draw Notice to Beautiful Area
Shawnigan Lake, about twenty-eight miles from Victoria on the E&N Railway and about thirty-seven miles on the CNR Railway from the Capital City, derives its name from an Indian Source. The lake is about three miles off the Island Highway from Cobble Hill and about the same distance in from Mill Bay and has good train service both ways. Several roads lead into the lake, one going about three-quarters the way around the lake.
Shawnigan Lake has long been known as a health resort the altitude is about 500 feet above sea level and this in conjunction with invigorating air from highland hills as the delightful tonic effect. The climate is equal with no cold winds and a maximum of sunshine. The lake is 7 miles long and has a coastline of over 21 miles dotted with islands and surrounded by hills shining in lake is one of the real beauty spots of the southern end of Vancouver Island.
The Walker wandered through this area 16 years ago it was as beautiful then as it is today but at that time it had little population beyond a small private School for Boys with about six or seven pupils, instructed by CW Lonsdale. Shawnigan Lake seemed a little too far out for such an enterprise, but those who were of that opinion were mistaken. Today on the same beautiful area has arisen a very fine school for boys with a total of 210 pupils and buildings erected valued at approximately $225,000. The area of the boys’ school holdings is about 150 acres, a sunken garden having been made out of the bog to beautify their surroundings.
Fire burned the old school to the ground on December 16, 1926. Anxious parents wired and phoned to know where their boys were to go, and Mr. Lonsdale took a short lease on the Cadboro Bay Hotel and school reopened as usual. Later at the old Shawnigan Lake site the ground was cleared and the main new building erected. Later a new wing the school building and a very fine Chapel were added.
Shawnigan is now recognized as an educational centre. The Lonsdale School and the Strathcona School for Girls have increased the population by approximately 400. The Lonsdale Boys’ School has 210 boys and a waiting list. The staff numbers 54, including 16 masters and two instructors. There are two pupils from Japan, one from Burma, some from Edmonton Calgary, and California.
Trained For Life
The policy of this well managed private school is to instill discipline into the boys that will give them no excuse when they go into the world's daily grind for not making a name for themselves. Long hours at mental training does not fit into the idea of the staff of the Lonsdale School. Equal training physically and mentally are believed by Mr. Lonsdale to be a sure way of boys likely to develop into real men instead of “mental freaks”.
The policy of the Shawnigan Lake School for Boys is recognized as being of great value to the public schools, so much so that the high school authorities who have visited this fine school have become so impressed that they are said to be considering bringing to the higher educational authorities the necessity for adoption of this policy.
Playing Field
The Lonsdale school has an 8 acre playing field and practically every kind of outdoor game is played including tennis cricket and football. The rugby team although only in existence a short time has made a splendid showing as very fortunate in having the services of an able rugby official Captain Livien. In the gymnasium, which is about 50 feet by 90 feet, badminton, indoor tennis, basketball and all forms of gymnastics are undertaken.
Rumors are current to the effect that another school of a preparatory nature is likely to be established at Shawnigan Lake soon.
Girls School
The school for girls at Strathcona also on the lake, and about two miles from the Lonsdale School, is administered by Miss Gildea and has made remarkable progress. Student body numbers 100, including one girl from Shanghai others from India and Alaska, and there are about 50 awaiting admittance. The staff totals 22, including nine teachers and three matrons. Many girls come from Edmonton, Calgary, Winnipeg and California. The majority are Canadian born. This school has about 15 acres ten of which are used for a playing field.
A training policy of the girls school is much along the same broad lines as those at Mr Lonsdale’s school. Judging by the appearance of both the boys and girls at these two Shawnigan Lake schools, both Mr Lonsdale of the boys’ school and Miss Gildea of the girls’ school are meeting with success. The surroundings are ideal for carrying out such a policy, as splendid training can be had on the many roads and trails up the mountainsides for walking and climbing. Also the lake water for rowing and swimming, and while I am writing this there are joyful looking groups of boys and girls skating on the lake.
Both the girls and the boys have a riding school under Major Curwin who takes them over many trails these horses are also used by tourists staying at the Forest Inn.
Grants for Schools
A few days ago an interesting editorial appeared in a BC daily newspaper suggesting that those who send in pay for their children going to private schools should be exempt from the provincial school tax. A reply to this matter brought forth the statement that it would cause confusion and gave very sound reasons why such a proposal would be of no use and would get little or no support.
However a suggestion has been brought forward that private schools properly conducted under the supervision of provincial governments should get provincial grants. It is pointed out that they have real value to the province and state both from an educational standpoint and as a factor in building up the country. In many Australian states, it pointed out most private schools, no matter of what religious denomination, receive yearly grants from the various governments.
It was thus be seen any suggestion of this kind well perhaps new in Canada would not be revolutionary.
The schools are not the only attraction on this beautiful lake. Many tourists visit from all over the world. The writer only recently looked on the register of that charming place known as the Forest Inn and noticed names from many parts of the globe. The Inn is owned and operated by Mr. and Mrs. Mason Hurley, formerly of Hong Kong, China, and their antiques from the Orient are well worth seeing. Residing at the Inn is Robert Rose, also from Hong Kong, who is Drawing Master for both schools.
Shawnigan Lake has always been a mecca for Victorians. The legal profession seem to have a great liking for the lake and during their holidays, Judges Lampman, Gregory and Martin are frequent visitors. The late Mr. Justice Hunter also had a cottage on the lake.
The residents are not lacking in their interests they have their Athletic Club Building and their badminton and basketball games in winter. in summer aquatic sports are held and the lake has been the scene of Pacific Coast championship regattas.
There is a very active old timer, over 82 years of age, who still rows a boat from one side of the lake to the other, according to the whim of the traveler wishing to catch a train either on the E&N Railway or the CNR Railway. The old timer takes great delight and telling how he was complemented on his rowing prowess by the Portland rowing team some two or three years ago.
Leaders of Shawnigan are members of the Malahat Board of Trade which is a very active body.
The BC Electric Light and Power Company has been very active in the Shawnigan Lake area and most of the residents are now supplied with electrical facilities.
Shawnigan Lake has very bright prospects, its nearness to Victoria making it a very desirable place for those on vacation, who seek a lake where boating and fishing can be enjoyed. It is one of the few places north of Colwood that can be reached by two railways, and this fact alone should make Shawnigan Lake a very popular educational district and summer resort.
A shortcut can be made on the CNR from Shawnigan to Cowichan Lake and to Sooke Lake, both very good hunting areas. By crossing to the West side of Shawnigan Lake one is able to catch a gas car every day on the CN Railway to either place. The same applies if one is on the west side of the lake. One can get a row boat across to the east side to either Shawnigan or Strathcona station and thence proceed to Victoria or up-island.
It was just a little South of Shawnigan that the last spike was driven on the Esquimalt and Nanaimo Railway by Sir John A MacDonald, premier of Canada. This event took place on August 13, 1886. Large crowds for those days assembled to witness the event. On August 14, the first train from Shawnigan left for Victoria, attracting people from many miles from the surrounding territory.
Years ago there was a hotel at Shawnigan known as Koenig But later this was sold and became known as the Kingsley, owned by Mrs. Kingsley. This was sold to a Mr. Findlay and later was burned to the ground.
No new hotel has been erected on this spot since though many have expressed a desire to do so. There can be no question as to the value of this site for hotel purposes. It was at the above mentioned hotels that those who are familiar with the regattas that were annually held at Shawnigan Lake used to stay, so that a popular landmark of this choice district has been destroyed.
