The Icelandic Canadian - 01.03.1954, Page 39

THE ICELANDIC CANADIAN
37
they have preserved their individual-
ism—indeed the only true basis of
civilization.
And now a word on the weather. In
November, when I arrived from Ice-
land, it was good. Of late, according
to reports, it has become a typica
Manitoba winter. The weatherman has
reported on several occasions that the
frost reached 25-30 degrees below zero.
So far I have not found it nearly as cold
as in Iceland, where ten below with a
hurricane of wet salt-filled air really
gets into the marrow of your bones.
Perhaps my blood will thin in time,
but I shall try to keep the temperature
of my house at least ten degrees cold-
er than that of most houses here. As
in Reykjavik, the houses here are far
too warm, a bad thing for the health.
To my mind the hot-water heating
systems of Iceland are superior to those
extant. Even in the far-off Arctic
Parish of Grimsey I had modern heat-
ing from crude oil, no coal, no dust
and no ashes.
Obviously my first impressions are
varied. After a year, when they have
crystallized, my story will certainly be
a different one.
REV. ROBERT JACK, born August 5, 1913
in Glasgow, Scotland. Son of John Jack, build-
ing contractor. Mother, Mary, and M.D.B.A.
degree at the University of Glasgow, 1936. En-
gaged by Icelandic Athletic Association as
football coach to travel around Iceland. En-
rolled in the Department of Theology, Uni-
versity of Iceland, 1937. Graduated in 1944.
Ordained June 18th, 1944. First parish at Ey-
dalir in eastern Iceland. Appointed minister
at Grimsey where he remained until departure
for Canada, 1953. Arrived in November, 1953
to become Lutheran minister at Arborg, Mani-
toba. Married. Three sons.
—Editor’s Note: The Icelandic Canadian wel-
comes Rev. Robert Jack and his family to
Canada. We trust that this country will treat
them well, and that they will be happy
amongst us. We appreciate his honest ap-
praisal of this part of Canada as contrasted
with Iceland and Scotland. In the words of
the immortal Robbie, his countryman:
“Oh, would some power the giftie gie us
to see oursel’s as ithers see us”.
Awarded Scholarship
Victor J. MacCosham
Victor J. MacCoshman, 25, was rec-
ently awarded the Shell Oil Fellowship
of $900.00 and tuition at the Univer-
sity of Wisconsin, Madison. Already a
Bachelor and Master of Science, Mr.
MacCosham graduated with honors in
chemistry at the University of Mani-
toba. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. E.
J. MacCosham, Edmonton, Alta. His
mother is the former Anna Hannesson,
daughter of Hannes and Gudrun Han-
nesson, formerly of Gimli.
★
Carleton College, Ottawa, confer-
red an honorary degree of Doctor of
Law (LL.D.) upon Dag Hammarskjold,
Secretary General of the U. N., at a
special convocation held in St. James
United Church, Ottawa, February 26.
This will be the first honorary degree
awarded by Carleton College.