Dawn Ostrem
Northern News Services

Paulatuuq (Aug 20/01) - It was Christmas in August for the community of Paulatuuq when a barge carrying houses, a tractor and truck floated up to its dock last week.

It approached around midnight on Aug. 10 in a drizzling rain but that didn't stop about 20 people from rushing to the shore to see it in.

That is the big event here," explained Keith Dodge, mayor of the tiny 300-person hamlet.

"Especially for the school children."

Angik School is reaping the advantages of this year's sea-transported supply of goods.

The addition of four new houses in the community follows the recruiting of badly needed teachers for the kindergarten to Grade 12 school.

Last year, a housing shortage made luring teachers to the hamlet almost impossible because they had nowhere to live.

"It was a nightmare," said acting principal and teacher Bruce Chadwick.

Although school started in early August, the school is still three teachers short.

Two are expected to arrive this week and one more still needs to be hired.

"It's helped," Chadwick said about the additional housing. "It has been chaotic but give us a couple more months and everything will be fine."

The office that was used for health and social services has also been converted into two one-bedroom apartments for teachers and the department has moved into the school.

Throughout the weekend residents strolled to the dock area, taking time out from the annual jamboree, to unload personal supplies they had ordered.

Also unloaded was a new tractor for the hamlet and a police truck for the local one-person RCMP detachment.

The barge crew joined in the community festival, danced and ate, then quickly climbed back aboard on Aug. 12 to float out of Darnley Bay.

"It was a quick barge," said Chadwick.