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HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News-Record, 1953-11-19, Page 2RAO TWO INTON PEWS -RECORD lump" uOVl; l++rPP t9, 10.53 Cliftto News Record H cLINTON NEW EM First issue 14* -1 i,865 THE CLINTON NEWSr'RECORD (First isette (Karen N+sws•Record) eannary 188i1 Amalgamated 1924 '. An independent Newspaper devoted to the. Interests of the Town of Clinton and Surrounding District I'openation, 2,043,• Trading Area, 10,OQO; ,Retail Market, $2,000,000; Rate, 4.5c per line flat Sworn Circulation — 2,126 Home of Clinton, RCM Station and .Aclastra;Park (residential) MEMBER: Canadian Weekly Newspapers Association; Ontario -Quebec -Division, CW11A; Western Ontario Counties Press Association SUBSCRIPTION RATES; Payable in advance --Canada and Great Britain: $2.50 a year; United States and Foreign: $3.50; Single Copies Six Cents Delivered by carrier to RCAF Station and /Wastrel Park. -,45 .gents a itionth; seven cents a copy Authorized as second class mail, Post Office Department, Ottawa Published EVERY THURSDAY at CLINTON, Ontario, -Canada, in the Heart of Huron County Thur day, November 19, 1953 The Question 44 A RE YOU IN FAVOUR of the Town of -m Clinton retaining the old school building for Municipal Offices and renting the remaining available space?" When the electors of the Town of Clinton approach the polling booths on Tuesday, Decem- ber 1, they will be asked to answer either "Yes" or "No" to that question. If the majority of the votes cast are the affirmative "Yes", then the municipal offices will remain in the old public school where the town clerk, the assessor, and the police depart- ment now have their offices, There will be arrangements made for the building of a public works shed to house the new truck, the two fire engines, the snow plow, and all the other equipment which is used upon the town streets. The old school building will be renovated for the purpose of renting office space. Two class- rooms on the ground floor will presumably be made into one, in order to provide a larger council chamber. Other rooms in the building will be remodeled to provide office space for other town services, probably the Public Utilities Commission. The old town hall then will be The Case of TWICE NOW WE HAVE toured the old public school on Ontario Street, and viewed its defects with alarm, at the same time that .we became aware of its distinct possibilities, To deal first with the possibilities, we see them this way: It is a well-built brick building, •situated on a roomy lot. The space around the building could be used for parking area, for a green and lovely playground and park, or could be split up to allow for three residential build- ing lots, a public works shed and driveway, and fairly spacious lawn at the front of the building. Inside there is room for many small offices, rooms all ready for occupancy by the surplus enrolment at the fast-growing public school, plenty of space for public meetings, bazaars, baking sales, bingos, the municipal offices, the Public Utilities Commission administration of- fices and what have you. The furnace is good, and with attention certainly provides enough heat to keep the entire building warm. The basement is a good height; is comparatively dry, and would provide fair storage space. There, however, we feel that ..the advant- ages of the school end. On the other side of the case are these facts: First and foremost the building looks like a school. That is what it was built for, and it would take a good deal of remodelling to make it look anything else but a school. It does not look dignified and stately as a public building should look. The building there of a public works shed would place the innumerable articles of repair and fixing, shovels. wire, trucks, etc., right beside any proposed park area. A play- ground in that location would mean constant supervision so that no youngsters would harm or be harmed .by the equipment used by, the public works department. Inside, the plastering of the entire building Is in very bad state. Even an amateur would estimate that about three-quarters of the wall area would have to be re -plastered, All of the woodwork is now painted a cheerful green which lately has been the accustomed colour for classrooms and was quite suitable. However it is quite unsuitable for business offices of the type which our town should aspire to have. One wall of each classroom sports a blackboard, 0 permanently abandoned; a buyer for it will have to be found; the ,building will either be razed or remodeled to suit other purposes. If the majority of the votes cast are the negative "No", then it is understood that the town clerk, the assessor and the police depart- ment will be moved once more into the town hall on Albert Street, and the publicchool will be sold, Since there has already been one offer made to purchase the school building, then there should be Iittle difficulty in turning it into cash of which the town is in need. That is the situation in a nutshell. A "Yes" vote will mean that the school will become the Municipal Building, A "no" vote will mean a return to the town hall where municipal govern- ment has been carried on for nearly 80 years. the Public School The Case of t FOR THE FIRST TIME, last week, we visited the town hall on Albert Street, with the view to seeing just what was wrong with it, and to see if something cpuld not be done to re -instate it as the municipal building of Clinton. First we will mention some of the many defects easily seen or guessed at. The wood- work outside is almost devoid of paint. We understand that it was last painted during the depression years of the 1930's. Inside, the walls are in fairly good condition, and plaster downstairs is in much better condition than at the school. Upstairs the auditorium looks as though it has not been painted nor cleaned, except the floors and windows, since the building was erected in 1880. The stage is a disgrace to any town in • this modern age when huge com- munity centres with all appointments, are the expected things in a great many areas. The ceiling there is much higher than is necessary, and the windows are so loose that heat is lost, and cold gained. The floors creak rather omin- ously when even one person walks across the room, and the idea of several hundreds dancing there would raise a worried look upon even the most thoughtless face. The basement must have been built for a race of pygmies, The floor of many levels, none of them far from the ceiling, is wet and dirty, The bricks taken out of some wall for a re- modelling process in the past are heaped in one section, while close beside is a great pile of ashes whichsome caretaker has been too lazy o earry outside. There is but one drain out of the big basement, and all the water which seeps in from below and around the windows, is ex -- p ctcd to find its way by ingenious little half inch paths in the cement, to that drain. Need- less to say, the water takes its own time get- ting there. Since the ceilings were so low, the men Who installed the furnace had to dig a hole in the floor and set the furnace down a good two feet below the rest of the basement floor. 'Already blessed with a basement equipped with inade- quate drainage, this extension of depth quite ob- v eusly increased thepossibility i t of Water oozing n g in from underneath, When we were there, al- though the two -foot deep well in which the furnace is resting had been completely cleaned out and dried the day before, several inches of which is of little or no use to any of the proposed offices, and therefore each of these walls. would have to be refinished. Granted the fact that there is an excellent supply of lighting fixtures, the fact is nonetheless true that these fixtures, with the exception of those in the clerk's office, and the proposed new coun- cil chamber, are next to useless for office rooms. The steam -heating system is good for the purpose for which it was installed, (that is, heating the complete building for a period of time, and then allowing the temperature to drop when no one was around).. The school, used for a municipal building and other offices, would be occupied during the day and perhaps one or two evenings in the week. Then with the ex- ception of the police department, the place is vacated. This would be the logical time for the heat to be lowered, and a saving in fuel could be obtained. But the constable on 'duty must have a heated office. This makes it necessary for the furnace to be kept running all night, heating the whole building uselessly, in order that one room be kept warm. The basement, though dry and spacious, is not •entirely satisfactory for the storing of sup- plies. It means carrying everything down nar- row stairways, and then reversing the procedure, A public works shed would, of course, eliminate this need, but then, of what good is the base- ment? Suggestion has been made that cells be built in the basement to house transients and prisoners. Again is raised the difficulty of shepherding resisting prisoners down the narrow stairs, and later, back up again. To us, also, it smacks of the old dungeon idea of prisoners' blocks below ground, ' Also, from the police department's point of view, is the remoteness of the school from the main business district. True, the school is only one long block from the main corner. But it is a long block. And anyone familiar with a small town knows that one block away from main street is about the same as six blocks away from it in a larger centre. In the end of course, remains the fact that the place looks like a school, not a public ad- ministration building, he Town Hall A Bit of 0 GRADUALLY ACCUMULATING upon our shelves is a tiny library of the 'nest de- lightful bits and pieces of Canadian writing we have discovered anywhere. Ortee every two Months thislittle goldmine Is increased by an- other tidy nstallment, and we are treasuring thene. against a time When We will have a few minutes to sit down and digest mere of their beauty, The Department of Lands and Forests in Cart silo is doing a tharvellous job iii the interest Of proved forest protection, forest land use, and fiah and wildlife eoirservatian in Ontario. This small magazineis printed on Moss paper that shows off equally well the eo our repro- ductions of Canadian scones painted by Canad. fait artists, and the exeelIent Week and white photographs of outdoor scenes. The Iitfle magazine, "Sylva", 15 available water bad collected. The effect of the water on the metal of the furnace was clearly visible. Though installed only eight years ago, the fur- nace is rusting away, Those are the main defects, and we will admit that they are not in any way minor defects. However, to offset them are these assets; Firstly, the town hall looks like one, and is laid out properly for the accommodation of the main offices connected with the town gov- ernment. It is in the proper and expected location for those offices, in the centre of the town's business district, and beside a beautiful little park designed with the service of the townspeople in view, The cells for the use of the police department in detaining prisoners, are already built, and are quite satisfactory. The fire -proof vault just off the clerk's office is aI- ready built, and it, too, is quite satisfactory. The clerk's office and the board room were both painted last year. The auditorium provides a public hall com- plete with stage, and dressing room space. The fire -hall is already in existence, and with some widening of the doors there, the accommodation would be quite adequate. If a public works shed must be built, (and that, too, is an ac- cepted need,) then there is plenty of space for one behind the town hall, where the inevitable untidiness 'which goes with such a shed,' would be away from any eyes except of those people who park their cars at the rear of the hall, • Another advantage to the use of the town hall rather than the school (as a municipal build- ing) is the fact that a buyer for the school has already been heard from, whereas no reasonable offer has been received for the town hall. Any- one who bought the town hall would have to clear the area before he could rebuild, while there are several vacant lots which would be available for any proposed building, for less cost than a buyer would be put to if lie should consider levelling the town hall, Meanwhile the school property could be disposed of as is, or with several building lots sold separately for residential building. Strangely enough, although Ith0 f urnate is quite visibly in desperately bad repair, it works. It will be in use on nomination night, and will probably heat the auditorium as well as that room ever was heated, utdoors for only $1,50 :tirade payable to the Provincial Treasurer and addressed to the. Ontario Depart- ment of Lands and Forests, Parliament Hulld. ings, Toronto. We would suggest that for a Christmas present to an adult or child friend, a good choice would ba a subscription to this sylvan glossary of Ontario`s outdoors, Fantasia TARS are theead•hutrg, high toned bells, The Wind laughs anion therm at night And blows the sound of their ringing tate deep valleys, Where the brooks Well it ort their lips And splash it Duet' silent reeks, tins Stearns Would This :School Be a Suitable Municipa Centre? WARS TNe EDITOR This is an outside view of the old public school at the corner of William and Ontario Streets, where it is proposed that the municipal offices of the town of Clinton should be located, rather than in the town hall. The school was built in 1869-70, and until this spring was the headquarters of primary education in • the town. At the time it was built it cost $8,000, and in 1920, con- siderable expense was put into two small additions, one on either side of the front door. At the present time the clerk's office is located in the south corner of the building. The po- lice office is in the small room (until recently used as a teach- ers' room), to the left of the main entrance. The assessor's office is in another small room, to the right of the main ent- rance. Council has been meeting in one of the downstairs class- rooms, and magistrate's court (held yesterday for the first time in many years in Clinton) was held in another downstairs classroom, It is proposed that by re- modelling this old school' build- ing accommodation for other of- fices could be had. Suggestion has been made that the Public Utilities Commission, the agri- cultural representative's offices, possibly the county health unit offices, etc„ could be accom- modated here. The problem seems to be; Would the expense necessary to renovate and remodel the school building satisfactorily, be just- ified? The building is away from the main business district. The town hall if abandoned on Al- bert Street, would prove a prob- lem for disposal. The town hall, meanwhile, is repairable. It will no doubt be standing long after many of us have ceased to care where the Municipal Offices are, Would not the expense more properly be made towards fixing the old town hall? 1 From Our Early Files 40 YEARS AGO The Clinton News Record Thursday, November 20, 1913 James Finch, Sr., has bought Dan Livermore's house and lot on Bond Street. He made the deal 1 " on spec." ase he does not propose leaving the more convenient loca- tion where he has lived for several years, Messrs A. J. Grigg and Will Hamblyn are exhibiting some of their fancy chickens at the big show in Toronto this week. Messrs Will' Moffatt and Newton Davis are going into chicken raising and are having erected an up-to-date chicken house. The new rink is up and roofed and presents quite an imposing ap- pearance, - Charles F. Libby, who was for a number of years associated with the Shaw Hosiery Company at Lowell, Mass., has taken over the management of the Clinton Knit- ting Mill. Little `Miss Marion Andrews, young daughter of Magistrate and Mrs. Andrews, met with an acci- dent recently. She was running a - Quick Canadian Facts... 1. Which province had the great- est percentage gain in popula- tion from 1941, to 1951? 2. Which is our fastest -running wild animal? 3. In 1939, 658,114 Canadians were employed in manufactur- ing. What is today's total? 4, The cities of Fredericton, N.B., Regina, Sask., and Victoria, B.C., have what in common? 5. Federal government tax reven- ue was $45 per capita in 1939. In 1952 was it $76, $192, $284? ANSWERS; 5. $284 per capita in 1952. 3. Almost exactly twice the 1939 total, 1. British Columbia, a gain of 42 per cent. 4. Each is capital of its provinee. 2. The pronghorn antelope. Material supplied by the editors of Quick Canadian Facts, the hand book of facts about Canada, THE VOICE OF�yv TEMPERANCE This "Voice" has been silent for some time past. But The Voice of Temperance for Ontario has been very vocal in a practical way. There has just come to hand a summary of the results of all the Local Option votes for the years 1947 to 1952, inclusive, and it makes good reading, This sum- mary lists all the different ques- tions on which a vote was record- ed, such as beverage rooms, cock- tail lounges, brewers' stores, etc. In some cases It was only one, in one case all eight possible ques- tions were submitted. Incidentally the vote on that occasion went solidly more than 75% dry on every question, The Ontario sum- mary shows that 92% of the votes held went against liquor and four for liquor, This fact should be not- ed too. The Trade is Choosing its ground for contests much more carefullynow than formerly, O rI y where they it they have a good chance of winning do they join issue, This advertisement is inserted by the Huron County Temperance Federation, 45 -le 1 bout the school yard and suddenly turning a corner she collided with another little girl. An arm was quickly thrown out and the force of the impact was so great that the arni, while not 'being broken, was badly "bent" as it were, neces- sitating the use of a bandage and a sling. The little patient is now recovering nicely however. The Clinton New Era Thursday, November 20, 1913 On Wednesday evening, Decem- ber 3, His Lordship Bishop Wil- liams of the Huron Diocese will dedicate the Owen Memorial Hall of St. Paul's Church. Mrs, T. Beacom moved on Mon- day to the cottage which she pur- chased from Mr. F. Hill. Von Rohl moved to "The Maples" this week, Mrs. French has taken up house- keeping. again at her home on Townsend Street. An accident happened to little Gordon Campbell, son of Mr. and Mrs. W. G. Campbell while at school on Friday, November 7,. The classes had been dismissed and in his hurry to get downstairs and out, Gordon slid down the ban- nister, but in coming downlost his balance and fell to the hall floor below. He was severely jar- red and his arm fractured in two places. 25 YEARS AGO The Clinton News -Record Thursday, November 15, 1928• Owing, it is thought, to over- heating of an engine, a small fire was caused in Murdock's grist mill on Saturday evening, The alarm was sounded and the firemen ar- rived but their services were not needed as a few well -directed pails of water extinguished the fire without damage being done, R. W, Marlowe, who has been looking for a suitable residence to buy, has taken the furnished cot- tage of E. W. Rodaway, Princess Street, for the winter and gets possession today. Misses Helena and Jean Middle- ton and Robert Middleton motored up from Toronto and spent the thanksgiving weekend at the home of their parents, Sheriff C. G. and Mrs. Middleton. Messrs T. G. Scribbins, r. T. ;race son, H, C. Cox, W. J. Plum - steel, G. E. hall, A. E. Fines, G. H. Jefferson, Elton Revell, P. Flunasteel, H. Clark, G. R. Pater- son, Dr, F. 0. Thompson attended a special gathering of Masons hi St. Marys on Thursday last. Miss Ruby Irwin was with her sister in Fullerton on Thanksgiv- : rig Day, 10 YEARS AGO Clinton News -Record Thursday, November 18, 1943 Don Pickard of town and Bob Harris of p'orter's Hill have re- turned home from the West where they assisted with the harvesting. Firemen answered the call of the siren last Monday morning mils. and went to the home of Mrs. Gordon Roy, King Street, where the chimney had caught on fire. It was quickly put out and no harm done. ne . Rumour has it that Councillor M. J. Agnew, who has held a seat on the council for the ,past five years, and who Beaded the polls last January, is Doming out for mayor. "Sate in Gibraltar" were the words contained in a cable to Mr. and Mrs. W. J. Cook on Monday, from their only son, Flying Offic- er William (Blondie) Cook, re- ported a while ago to be missing while flying over France. No other information was given, except that he was well and that a letter would follow. Yesterday, Mr. and Mrs. Cook received word from RCAF headquarters in the United Kingdom, stating that their son had landed safely there, Louis Dutot, Brucefield, is a re- cent enlistment in the Canadian Army at London. Kenneth Miller, son of Mr. and Mrs. Norman Miller, has enlisted in the Navy and reported for duty in Toronto on Monday to take a radio artificer course. George F. Elliott, King Street, has been awarded the contract of supplying and operating a truck with sufficient power to operate the town'ssnoW plow, to clear the snow from the streets this winter. Only two tenders were received at a special meeting of town council Monday evening and Mr. Elliott was awarded the contract, W?ifA' WILL TI EY' DO? The Editor Clinton News -Record DEAR EDITOR: I am sorry I haven't renewed my Subscription to your paper as we stilt enjoy getting it very much. We were in Clinton this summer and noted many changes. We have beep laving away from Chil- ton for two years, It will be interesting to know just what they are going to do with the old school, You will be hearing from me soon. Sincerely, SGT. CYRIIL W. $ RTRA'ND RCAF Station, Claresholm, Alberta November 10, 1953 slDllr SIVil'J@I The Editor Clinton News -Record Clinton, Ontario DEAR SIR; Your cut of the Clinton fountain in ,your latest issue reminds me that some tune ago you asked whether anyone remembered the late Sydney Smith, in whose mem- ory the fountain was established. In case no one gave you this in- formation, may I go back to mem- ories of years ago? Sydney Smith was one of the biggest cattle dealers in Huron in a day when many farmers "finr fished" steers for the British mars ket and drove the elephantine animals to town for shipment by rail, This was long before trucks were invented and the huge anim- als could not travel more than I should guess two or three miles an hour. The weight Iost in tran- sit from stall to market must have been great and, combined with the unfair British slaughter regale. - tions, helped to kill the industry in Canada. Mr. Smith was the biggest dealer in cattle in more ways than one. He was inches over six feet and with a girth even more than proportionate to his height. He lived in Clinton for some years and eventually bought the former Robert Coats property on the Bayfield road, where he died not long afterward. He married Miss Penelope Mc - Hardy, a brilliant pianist and or- ganist, who taught music in Clin- ton for some years. Unless I am very much mistaken on this point —and I think I am note -it was she who had the fountain erected to her husband's memory some years after his death. Yours faithfully, "A Clinton Old Boy" Montreal, Quebec November 16, 1953 0 Shipping on Canadian water- ways, including canals, inland la- kes and rivers, is open to all the world countries on equal terms except in the case of the coast- ing trade. Manufacture of fishing tackle in Canada is a business worth close to $2,000,000 annually. Canada has roughly 1,200,000 trade unionists in a population of 15,000,000. 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