“The Lake Auburn Fish Protective Association was a pioneer in the work of artificial fish culture in this state, and in the creating of sentiment favorable to this enterprise. They formed an association of leading citizens, purchased land, erected a fish hatchery and engaged in the artificial propigation of fish for the purpose of stocking Lake Auburn and other lakes in that county.”

50 years ago, 1957

• More than 37 percent of Maine drivers renewed their licenses in the last week of 1956 and the first week of January, the legislative Transportation Committee was told. Stanton S. Weed, director of the state automobile licensing division, cited the “staggering statistics.” He urged approval of a bill that would authorize issuance of licenses on birthdays. Annual licenses now expire Dec. 31.

• “Most traffic accidents are the result of human failures.” This statement was made yesterday by the Governor’s Committee on Highway Safety as the group emphasized its special theme for March, “Know and Obey Traffic Laws.”

25 years ago, 1982

• Citizens will gather in 24 area towns to be heard and to make decisions affecting their towns as annual town meeting season rolls into high gear. Taxpayers will be asked to take action on appropriations, special articles and, in some cases, where the Australian ballot is employed, to elect municipal officials. Business scheduled for action in most towns appears to be routine.

• Unemployment jumped back to 8.8 percent in February, just shy of the postwar record, and more Americans than ever settled for part-time work, the government reported. The jobless rate returned to the level of December with more than 9.6 million people out of work. Another 5.6 million – the highest on record – were holding part-time jobs for lack of anything better.