54 - Wednesday, September 15, 1993 — North Shore News ards played role in Canada’s early economy WHY WAS a deck of playing cards worth a Jot of money in New France? By Marsha Boulton Contributing Writer {f you knew that the first Inten- dant of the colony, Jacques de Meulles, used playing cards as currency when coins were in scarce supply, you may also know that animal hides were an alternative form of legal tender. Although Europeans were using paper money backed by gold bullion in the 17th century, colo- nists in New France relied largely on the barter system. Such trading was formalized in September 1670, when a decree issued by the Sovereign Council set a standacd for measuring the value of beaver pelts, moose hides and other furs; one blanket could be purchased for eight’ wildcat pelts. Most of the settlers were sub- sistence farmers. They traded their goods and services for whatever necessities they required. Members of the garrison were paid coins which were sent from France, and in 1670 silver and copper coins were minted for specific use in New France. In the spring of 1684, the French government neglected to ship coins. This fett de Meulles in an uncomfortable position. Since the men under his command were kept busy with their mititary responsibilities, they did not have pelts to pay for their board and lodging. in desperation, de Meulles determined to issue paper money based on playing cards endorsed by him, which would be redeem- able the foliowing year when coins Composters hold open house FIND OUT what you can do with your fall leaves and get a start on your fall planting with a free packet of seeds. The Greater Vancouver Regional District is coordinating a speciai open house on Saturday, Sept. 18, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. al compost demonstration gardens throughout the Lower Mainland. Visit a Compost Demonstration Garden at: Park and Tilford THERE'S A COLD HEA THIEF IN YOUR HOMIE. Gardens, 333 Brooksbank, North Vancouver; and {5th and Argyle, West Vancouver. For more information contact the Compost Hotline at 736-2250. The region's goal is to reduce our solid waste stream by 50% by the year 2000. Composting plays a vital role in waste reduction and can reduce houschold solid waste by up to one-third. It’s lurking outside the back door. Or in the shadows of the basement. It's the humming, whirring, clicking, old second refrigerator. And it’s robbing you of cold cash — an old inefficient second fridge can cost y0u up to $100 a year to run. WE'LL COME AND GET IT AND GIVE YOU $20!" We can take the problem off your hands. We'll pick up your old operating fridge (10 cu. ft. ia 24 cu. ft. size) free of charge, dispose of it in an environmentally sale manner and send you a cool $30. To register in the Program, call the Refrigerator Buy-Back Hot Line toll-free 1-800-663-CASH (2274). In the Lower Mainiand., call 683-CASH (2274). RWER SMB would surely arrive. It was a bold gamble, bur one that paid off. Card playing was a popular ac- tivity in the barracks of Quebec City, where active games of ‘naw’ involved elaborately il- lustrated cards with names such as Tiddy, Gleek, Tup-tup and Towser. De Meulles collected decks of cards und cut each one into four Pieces, which he imarked and stamped as good for specific amounts of currency under his seal and signature. This imaginative solution to a shortage of coin worked quite well for many years and suffered vagaries typical of modern paper money, including a devaluation ta Giadys DeLuca did it. She lost 43 pounds in 12 months and half its face value in 1719. Thirty years fater, the King of France authorised the issue of card mianey to be increased from 720,000 to one million livres. The conclusion of the Seven Year’s War in 1763) saw an end to playing card currency in favor of British sterling. A hodgepodge of currency followed including Nova Scotia provincial money, Ameri- can dollars, Spanish dollars and U.S. gold coins, and army bills, which were used by the British to purchase supplies during the War of 1812, Paper money was introduced in 1792) by the Canada Banking Company, but it lacked a certain credibility. It was considered to be changed her tife on the Weight Watchers program. You can do it too. We'll teach you how. You'll do it eating i nurs about as valuable as a U.S. con- tinental dollar, which was virtually worthless at the time. In 1837, William Lyon Mackenzie signed the first $10 note issued by the provisional government of Upper Canada. Swindlers issuing bogus but col- orful) three-dollar notes were quick to follow. Bank notes which were not backed by gold did not become legal tender throughout Canada until Aug. 3, 1914, the day before Britain declared war on Germany. The rest is a crumpled history of bills folded in wallets at values dictated by global circumstance. In this nation, it all started with a deck of cards. your favorite food. Ail it takes to get started is a visit to one of our meetings. Come on. What are you waiting for? ke JOIN FOR $18 Offer Valid September 7th through September 25th, 199 REVELL ATEN: WEST VANCOUVER MASONIC HALL 1763 Bellevue Wednestuy 12:30 pm & 7:00 pm SRY CIN ORES a NORTH VANCOUVER MT. SEYMOUR PARKWAY - THE COACH HOUSE INN 700 Lillooet Rd. Open Seat. 13th, 1993 Monday — 7:00 pm WEIGHT WATCHERS CENTRE - 1222 Marine Dr. Meetings held Tuesday te Saturday CALL FOR DAYS AND TIMES 1-800-682-8011 This is Gladys’ experience. As people vary, se iloes individual weight loss, maintenance end results. Offer good from September 7th through September 25th, 1993. See receptionist for details. Oifer valid in AREA 68 British Columbia. Cannot be cambined with any other offer, OHer not available for AT WORK or COMMUNITY meetings. ©1993 WEIGHT WATCHERS INTERNATIONAL, INC., owner of the registered trademark. Alll rights reserved. | BChydre "B.C. Hydro reserves the ght to change or cancel the rebate offer at any time without prier notice.