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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Huron Expositor, 1961-12-28, Page 2Since 1860, Serving the Community First Published at SEAFORTH, ONTARIO, every Thursday morning by McLEAN BROS„ Publishers tI E D ANDREW Y. MCLEAN, Editor Member Canadian Weekly Newspapers Association i Ontario Weekly Newspapers Association •� n n o Audit Bureau of Circulations Subscription Rates: Canada (in advance) $2.50 a Year Outside Canada (in advance) $4.00 a Year U L Ate` SINGLE COPIES — 10 CENTS EACH Authorized as Second Class Mail, Post Office Department, Ottawa By REV. ROBERT H. HARPER SEAFORTH, ONTARIO, DECEMBER 28, 1961 Municipal Councils Get An increasing awareness of the small portion of the municipal tax dollar for which local councils are responsible was evident at area ratepayers' meetings this year. Typical were the comments of Mc- Killop councillors as they discussed township finances at the ratepayers' meeting which followed nominations on Friday. There was concern over the fact that while municipal taxes con- tinue to rise, there was nothing a local council could do to stop the trend. Singled out as demanding increasing shares of the tax dollar were schools and the county administration. Councillors are showing proper con- cern. To a great extent they are mere tax collectors for spending bodies over which they have no control. In McKil- lop, for instance, but 20% of a typical tax bill of $435.74, is spent by the coun- cil; $126.14 or 29%, is handed over to Little of Tax Dollar the county. Education demands $121.74 or 28% for public school and $98.92 or 23% for district high school. De- spite the proportionately small amount of the tax dollar which McKillop had to work on, the council this year was able to reduce the general rate by a fifth of a mill. The situation calls for an increased acceptance of responsibility by mem- bers of spending bodies to the end that only those projects which fill a proven public need are considered. No reason- able ratepayer will object to expendi- tures which provide an increased stan- dard of education or which make pos- sible improved standards of health or a more economically maintained road system in the county. But they should, and do, object to expenditures which come about through increased over- head and which fail to produce a serv- ice or facility of public benefit in return. Let's shake on that! We all want the best for each other and our country. Peace, progress and prosperity...we pledge ourselves to these goals. May they be achieved abundantly in 1962. SEASON'S GREETINGS from The Publishers and Stats of :41 ANDREW Y. McLEAN JOHN MALONEY LEO HAGAN R. JAMES WALLACE ROSS ALEXANDER THOMAS HALEY MRS. RONALD McALLISTER CAROLYN HAMMOND CARL BERGER JOAN ROBERTON EVELYN DICK NEW YEAR'S EVE January got its name from a two-faced god of myth who had a face to look backwards' also while he looked to the future. This fact has given birth to quite an institution known as New Year's Eve, an institution compounded of horns, whistles, and drums, and every conceiv- able thing to make a noise and add to general pandemonium. New Orleans was quite a city for such a "ringing out of the old year," as it is still. My mother told me that on her wed- ding trip she and my father took passage on the Jessie K. Bell that was some boat in her time. And New Orleans was quite a place for steamboats in those days. Old pictures show a solid line of steamboat prows along the levee at New Orleans, just as pictures now show ships for all the Seven Seas. On the trip of which I write the Jessie K. Bell reached her berth at New Orleans toward midnight on New Year's Eve. When every boat on the river turned loose a deep -toned whis- tle, it must have seemed like a concourse of all sounds al- most since the world began. My mother said she was startled. Well, that is one way to cele- brate New Year's Eve. An- other way we celebrated many years later in that old city of New Orleans as pastor and peo- ple of the First Methodist Church, just above Lee Circle, were kneeling at the altar at the stroke of midnight on New Year's Eve, while we sang "Rock of Ages, Cleft For Me." worker named, Ole. After be- ing hired he worked three weeks and then didn't show up for. five straight days. Finally, in desperation, the farm man- ager went through the country looking for Ole. Going past the insane asylum he saw Ole sit- ting on the lawn in the shade of a big elm tree. He stopped and asked, "Ole, what in the world are you doing here?" Ole replied, "I'm insane. Try it sometime. It sure has farming beat." I hope you bad a nice Christ- mas. We did. We always do. We pile in on the grandparents each year, and it's always warm and cosy and pleasant at the farm. And the women talk six miles a minute as they get the dinner. And there are kids of all shapes, sizes and ages. And the men loaf shamelessly, diges- tive juices spurting into their cheeks as the scent of turkey and plum pudding waft in. I hope you had a good year in 1961. It's rather depressing to look back over the year, isn't it? All those muddy footprints marking what started as a clean sheet. I can't identify any par- ticular progress, moral, physi- cal or financial, as I peer back through my own 12 -month stint. * * • I did get to church more of- ten, but that was offset by var- ious other venalities. I didn't have any major illness, but I aged aboutr eight years during the 52 weeks. This happens every year, which now makes me about 104. And I ended 1961 just as I started it—up to my ears in debt. Happily, the rest of the fam- ily did show some progress. The kids did fairly well in school and with their music, grew a foot each, and beat me for a small increase in allowance.. On the debit side, they figured out numerous new ways of pushing their parents closer to the brink, and the cost of clothing and feeding them leapt astron- omically. * * * My wife had a good year, too. For some reason, she decided to stop pushing me, and began pulling me. I didn't move any faster, but we were both more comfortable in the harness. She also 'showed other signs of mel- lowing. Only twice, that I re- call, did she belt me a good one. This is a new low. I staggered through my first year of teaching school, , and found it challenging, frustrat- ing, exhausting and fascinating, UALFE4ACT TEBI YOU MEAN THAT'S' ALL THERE /S TO /T ? '1' MAikor4 ..y t lyp��,% e24,1 wie week,. "If you believe so strongly in these Chinese fortune cookies, why bother to come to trier SUGAR and SPICE By $ill -Smiley at various times. I think I'll be a reasonable teacher in another 12 years, if the boys in the white coats don't get me first. * • * We increased the complica- tions of our domestic life by ac- quiring a virginal -looking kit- ten who promptly went out and got herself in the family way, and a crazy cocker spaniel, who, at this moment, tied up in the basement, is yelping in piercing fashion, informing all and sun- dry that this is a hell of a way to treat one of the family. During the year, I learned to curl and my wife learned to play the organ. I found some new fishing holes. As a family, we explored the new district we'd moved to, and had some fine cook -outs, swims, picnics. We moved into big square house with lots of oak trees, closet space, black squirrels and a fire- place, all welcome additions. * * * Best party I was at all year was just 'before Christmas, when a gang of old fighter pil- ots got together in the city and had a real, old-time bash. Aus- tralians, Englishmen, Irishmen and Canadians, we re -flew our Spitfires, Mustangs and Ty- phoons with such gusto that the staid old club at which we ren- dezvoused was rocking on its mid-Victorian heels. Come to think of it, 1961 was kind to the Smileys, and I hope it was to you and yours. We had what might be called a typical human year: busy, quar- relling, being happy, working, getting nowhere in particular, but making a lot of fuss in the process. 5 5 * And here comes another one at us. This is a pretty rough one to face, with The Bomb sit- ting there like a great, obscene vulture. But I suspect that, like most Canadians, we'll go through 1962 much as we have other years: scrambling, worry- ing, enjoying, going three steps forward and two back. I, for one, have no intention of sitting around sweating about the blasted bomb. First thing on the agenda is to cock the usual defiant snoot at New Year's, and I think there's enough life in the old boy to do it once more, at least. * * * How are you on the New Year's resolutions? Are you a make -'em -and -break -'em type? If so, join the club. There's a big membership. I used to make a lot of resolutions about smok- ing, drinking, being lazy, argu- ing with my wife, and all my other sins. But I found that these resolutions gave the Old Girl too big an edge in our little talks. Now I make just one grand, sweeping resolution, rather than a lot of little ones. 'For example, you can resolve to be better in every way during the coming year. This is vague en- ough. It means that you can de- vote yourself to nebulous plans of character improvement, and still go on smoking, boozing, beating your wife, kicking dogs or whatever your forte is. Supermarket: A place where you travel farther than your money. RECALL EVENTS OF 1961 (Continued from Page 1) returned to open the building following the supper hour. Increasing demand for Gen- eral Mobile homes has resulted in a step-up•produetion at Gen- eral Coach Works, Hensall. An additional 40 men were called back to work following an early winter layoff. February 23 Mr. and Mrs. Harold Sprung, of the 10th concession, Hullett Township, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on Wed- nesday. Miss Sharon Burke, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Burke, RR 1, Staffa, was the junior girl winner in the annual public speaking contest, sponsored by the Mitchell branch of the Can- adian Legion. ms s__,, nn of end Mrs. Michael Williams, RR 4, Seaforth, who has been work- ing with the Dominion Life As- surance Co. in Vancouver as assistant manager, has been pro- moted as manager of his office in New Westminster, B.C. Alex McGregor was elected president of the Tuckersmith Federation of Agriculture at the annual meeting Wednesday evening. March 2 William Strong, RR 2, Dublin, was elected president of Huron County Junior Farmers at their annual meeting Wednesday night. Announcement has been made of the promotion of A. J. Eckert, son of Mr. and Mrs. J. M. Eckert, McKillop, as as- sistant vice-president of the Lin- coln National Life Insurance Co., Fort Wayne, Indiana. Members of the PUC were in Toronto this week attending the annual convention of the Ontario Municipal Electrical Association. March 9 Robert Fotheringham, RR 3, Seaforth, was one of the top winners at the 14th annual Huron County Seed Fair in Clinton last week when he was grand champion with his white beans, alfalfa and barley ex- hibits. Top honors in the McKillop Federation of Agriculture pub- lic speaking contest went to Bonnie Stewart, of SS 4, Mc- Killop, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Stewart, of Mc- Killop. A move to form a chamber of commerce in Dublin got un- der way Monday evening at a public meeting by the village trustees. March 16 Complete support for any move leading to the establish- ment of a technical training school in Seaforth, or the Sea - forth area, was promised by Seaforth council Monday eve- ning. There was a large attendance at the March meeting of Sea - forth Branch 156 Royal Cana- dian Legion Thursday , night, when 12 new members were initiated into the branch. Voters in Dublin School Area turned out Wednesday. almost 100 per cent to elect a new five - man board to operate the area school. The election was made necessary following a court rul- ing covering the section proce- dure. Appointment of Cecil Lemon as an xaminer for the Depart- ment of Transport was an- nounced this week. Mr. Lemon will undergo instruction in the London examining office for six months, after which he will be assigned to an examing cen- tre. March 23 Alterations and remodelling in the ready-to-wear depart- ment of Stewart Bros.' store, which have been in progress for some time, have been complet- ed and an opening is planned for Saturday. First Presbyterian Church, Seaforth, will be host in April for the meeting of the Synod' of Hamilton and London. About 150 representatives from con- gregations throughout Western Ontario are expected to attend the three-day event, which op- ens April 17. Robin Phillips, aged 11, who injured his eyes in an accident last week, was able to return home from Stratford Hospital. The lad was wiping a wire clothesline when the wire broke and snapped into his eyes. Sales of Seaforth Farmers -Co--operative increased $40,000, to $394,519 during 1960, it was reported at the annual meet- ing. March 30 The annual ice carnival, pre- sented by the Seaforth Figure Skating Club in Memorial Arena Thursday night, attract- ed a large audience. There was a large attendance• at St. James' school auditorium Wednesday when students took part in the second annual pub- lic speaking contest. Prizes were won by Mary Eckert, Catherine Phillips and John Rau. Sale of Baldwin Hardware to Irvin Trewartha was announced this week. The sale was effective March 27. Mr. Trewartha has been associated with the busi- ness since he moved t.. Sea - forth nearly two years ago. D'Orlean Sills, of G. A. Sills & Sons, and John Michels, of Frank Kling Ltd., have been is- sued licenses covering the in- stallation and servicing of com- mercial gas units. April 6 Ilon. L. B. Pearson, leader of the Liberal party, will be the speaker at the annual dinner meeting of the Huron Liberal Association, being held in the Legion Hall, Clinton, 'Thursday evening, May 4. A rink representing Seaforth Branch 156 of the Canadian Le- gion, skipped by Carm Row- cliffe, won top honors at a Le- gion bonspiel in Wingham on Wednesday. Rinks representing Legion branches throughout Western Ontario took part in the spiel. No decision has been taken as yet concerning a meeting of merchants to consider Seaforth store hours, according to Mrs. Jean. Hildebrand, who heads a special committe which has been conducting a survey of Seaforth area shoppers. Seaforth Boy Scouts enjoyed a hike on Good Friday to a camp site near Hanna's bridge, near the McLeod farm in Tuck- ersmith. A demonstration of fire -lighting without matches was featured. April 13 Seaforth water has been giv- en fpll marks as to purity and composition, according to a re- port received by the Public Utility Commission at its meet- ing Thursday. The election of Charles B. Stewart as a director of Simp- sons Limited has been announc- ed by E. G. Burton, chairman and president. Associated with Supertest Petroleum Corporation in va- rious capacities since 1923, Scott Habkirk was honored Wednes- day evening at a ceremony in the Legion Hall, Clinton. The company presented him with a (Continued on Page 5) IN THE YEARS AGONE Interesting items gleaned from The Expositor of 25, 50 and 75 years ago. From The Huron Expositor December 25, 1936 Negotiations culminated this week in the purchase of the Canada Furniture Manufactur- er's factory by Mr. E. L. Box. Mr. Harry Addicott, of Win- throp, has had the Hydro in- stalled and has treated himself to an electric radio. Mr. W. E. Chapman, who was recently in an accident near Guelph, and had his arm frac- tured, is still in Guelph Hospi- tal, suffering from an attack of pleurisy. Mr. Frank Coates, of town, has been appointed principal of the Pickering Public School, and will assume his new duties after the holidays. In the list of King's Counsel appointed this week appears the name of R. M. Best, Brace - bridge lawyer, who is the son of Mr. and Mrs. J. M. Best, of Seaforth. William P. Grieve, son of Dr. John G. Grieve, V.S., has re- cently been made vice-president and sales manager in charge of the Packard car division of Packard, Buffalo, Inc. • ** From The Huron Expositor December 29, 1911 Mr. Richard Hicks, of Eg- mondville, has a notable record of being treasurer of the ..Pres- byterian Church there for over 28 years, and has been treasur- er of the Public School Board for 15 years. The pupils of SS No. 4, Mc- Killop, presented their teacher, Mr. F. J. Fowler, with a small piece of gold, as a token of their appreciation toward his kindness to them as their teach- er for a Christmas gift. At the concluding meeting of the Town Council for this year, held on Thursday evening of last week, the members pres- ented Mayor D. J. McCallum with a handsome gold -headed cane, as a mark of their ap- preciation of his services while presiding over council and as a magistrate of the town. For Christmas, Saturday was a record breaker, insofar as crowd was concerned. From early in the forenoon until late at night, Main Street was pack- ed from end to end, while the hotel stables and yards were crowded with horses and ve- hicles. Mr. James Gemmell, who has been secretary and treasurer of the Tuckersmith Telephone Sys- tem for the past three years, ever since its inception, has tendered his resignation to the council. * * * From The Huron Expositor December 31, 1886 The nominations for mayor and reeve took place in town on Monday. Mr. James Beattie was named Mayor, and Mr. Wilson was elected Reeve. Deer were much less plenti- ful this season than usual, but Mr. Campbell got eleven and Mr. McEwen, thirteen. Our genial friend, Mr. T. Murdoch, proprietor of the Hen- sall Livery, has recently pur- chased from Mr. P. McGregor, of Brucefield, the celebrated trotting horse, "Joe Gales," for- merly known as "West Liber- ty." TILE WitIV rrm r itrn DIIITIMPAM JUNIOR'S PLAN FOR'HtS •LACED WASTEBASKET - Cur SIMS s FROMV PLYWOOD. BOTTOM 15 15." STOCK .tsemmo TODRAT: HOLES FOR LACING WITH WOG LACES OR LEATHER t3Attor+t • • • r • 1 • • • s • 4 1 s • r • 4 1 1