Peter L. Liedmeier to J. A. Motherwell, 08 April 1942

Peter L. Liedmeier to J. A. Motherwell, 08 April 1942

Surge Narrows, B.C., April 8th, 1942.
Chief Inspector of Fisheries,
Winch Building,
Vancouver, B.C.
Dear Mr. Motherwell:
After being all set to get one of the Jap fishing boats this spring we happened to run in what was for us a disaster.
Our house on White Rock Pass burned up with all its contents and we found ourselves on the beach with no more than the clothes we had on.
Whatever we carried out on the beach got burned by flying burning shingles and for the time being we are on the rocks and have to start all over again.
All I have is a little rowboat not fit to put a little engine in and I don’t know how to get a little one say 18 ft. boat with a little engine in it.
Mrs. Algar’s household has to be started all over again with stoves linen cooking utensils, etc. etc.
A couple of hundred dollars is nothing. Except for an old saw all carpenter tools burned up too and fishing tackle galore stored in attic of house.
Well, Major, it is sad and all that but as long as there is life there is hope.
I wonder if Mrs. Algar’s boy could get a trolling license as he may soon be able to get a few bluebacks and I wonder too if we could perhaps get one of these small Jap boats (there must be some) on a pay as go basis, say on 1/3 of the catch or so.
You see we are going to build a house of small logs on White Rock Bay and then the lad could fish in the morning and help some around the place in the afternoon and after all it is quite a row to the fishing on Drew Pass, Fanny and Redonda Bay.
Could you perhaps find out something like that for me by phoning that boat commission. We are so far from everything and writing takes a lot of time.
But above all can the lad take out a license.
This time I am somewhat hard hit, but anyway we have to carry on.
Kindly excuse me for asking you to do this for me but under the circumstances I am somewhat forced to do things which otherwise I wouldn’t think of.
I hope you are still getting good news from your sons at the fighting front.
Accept my best wishes.
Most sincerely,
Peter L. Liedmeier
Surge Narrows, B.C.

Metadata

Title

Peter L. Liedmeier to J. A. Motherwell, 08 April 1942

Credits

Transcriber: Lindsey Jacobson
Encoder: Gord Lyall
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Terminology

Readers of these historical materials will encounter derogatory references to Japanese Canadians and euphemisms used to obscure the intent and impacts of the internment and dispossession. While these are important realities of the history, the Landscapes of Injustice Research Collective urges users to carefully consider their own terminological choices in writing and speaking about this topic today as we confront past injustice. See our statement on terminology, and related sources here.