HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News-Record, 1960-12-08, Page 24.4
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11 •
THE CLINTON NEW ERA
Est. 1865
et.
40 Years Ago
CLINTON NEW ERA
Thursday, December 9, 1920
Dr. Shaw, M.O.H., reporting
to council commended recent
remodelling of the Public Sch-
ool and suggested that public
health would 'be further ser-
ved by the employment of a
school nurse for a time. Deaths
during the year were 46 and
births 34.
A new steam heating plant
was completed at St. Paul's
church and a fire , started in
the boiler. The church was,
cosy and warm, with four pipe
coils and 10 radiators in. the
new system.
The fifth anniversary of the
organization of the 161st Hur-
on County Overseas Battalion
was held in the rooms of the
Clinton Club. The first anni-
versary was held in Upper Deb-
gate on December 6, 1916, and
the second at the Old Ches.
shire Cheese in Old London
and also at Haplincourt, Fran-
ce, on December 6, 1917. In
1918 the Battalion was broken
up and most of its members
overseas, so no anniversary
was held.
25 Years Ago
CLINTON NEWS-RECORD
Thursday, December 5, 1935
Fifty-eight 'percent of Clin-
ton pupils deposit regularly in
the Penny Bank, Clinton. The
total amount held by the Bank
at the end of October was
$1,260.49.
The residence of Mrs. Eliza-
beth Kennedy, Ontario Street,
was broken into while she was
attending the commencement
exercises and some money and
jetvellery stolen, Miss Nixon
of the Collegiate staff, who
boards with Mrs. Kennedy, lost
about $20 of the money col-
lected for Commencement tic-
kets.
Admiral Bayfield, from whom
the village of Bayfield gets its
name, was jointly honoured
with Admiral Owen in a mon-
ument to be erected in Owen
Sound. The two men conducted
the earliest sdientific surveys
on the Great Lakes.
Mrs, G. Morley Counter and
Bill spent last week with Tor-
onto friends.
Miss Sarah Slornan visited
friends in London.
Christmas Fair
njoyed By
Home Residents
The main sitting room of the
County Home was aglow with
happy faces as the residents
(who were able) gathered to
do their Christmas shopping
from the tables laden with gifts
donated to the Auxiliary from
the different churches of Clin-
ton.
The Auxiliary had make-be-
lieve dollar bills for them and
the old people went from table
to table buying. After select-
ing their gifts they took them
to the library where a number
of the Dinettes of Clinton gift-
wrapped 'them for mailing if
so desired,
After a busy hour of shop-
ping they were all treated to
cookies and a cup of tea and
the residents felt they had
got most of their Christmas
shopping done in a very con-
venient way.
This; is the first time this
has been tried and the Auxil-
iary feels it will be an annual
affair judging from the com-
ments of the public. Mrs. F.
G. Thompson the president was
assisted by Mrs, M. McAdam.,
Mrs. Vi Habgood, Mrs. Town-
send, Mrs. William Managhan,
Mrs. W. C. Bennett and Mrs.
H. Johnston. There were two
cars from Blyth also, and the
cookies were donated by the
WA of Blyth United Church.
10 Years Ago
CLINTON NEWS-RECORD
Thursday, December 7, 1950
Beecher Streets was the
weekend guest of Dr. and Mrs.
Harold Gibbs, Hamilton.
George Bell spent a few days
with his parents; Mr. and Mrs.
Charles Bell, Bayfield. The
"Windoc" on which he has been
sailing put into Goderich port
last Saturday and will be
berthed there for the winter.
Ken Arkell, RCMP, Rock-
cliffe, spent the weekend with
his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Fred
Arkell, before flying to a new
posting at Regina.
Tony Pastor, one of the lead
ing exponents of modern jazz,
appeared at the Recreation
Hall of RCAF Station Clinton.
Mr. and Mrs. P. C. Town
took up residence in Clinton
after lieing in Toronto for a
number of years. They purch-
ased the former J. P. Manning
residence on High Street,
Y and
<4.• ..;f0
erW
eee
FIGHT
TUBERCULOSIS
From Our Early Files
Santa Claus Coming
To Clinton
Saturday Afternoon
December 10---at 1.30 o'clock
— Clinton Citizens Band
CANDY TREATS FOR ALL CHILDREN
FREE SKATING at ARENA 2 to a p.m.
For MI Public School Children
THEieeeesiamexCOME
IN A JEWELER'S BOX
COUNTER'S JEWELLERY invite you to see
the wide selection of Watches, Rings of all
kinds, Silverware, Chrome Ware, Crystal arid
Glass and China in great variety at low prices
you will really be pleased with,
Also a complete range of Pearl Rings,
Earrings and Cultured Pearl Necklets, Jewel
Boxes, Clocks, Newest Electric Shavers, Bill-
folds, Crosses, Lockets, Lighters and many
other items,
Reduced phces on Chests of Silver. See
our hand painted line of Carlton Ware and
don't forget to look over our new Cup and
Saucer Bar for real values from $1.00 up.
Come in soon and often—we will be pleas-
ed to have you look around.
Shop and Save now at
Counter's Jewellery
MINNIMINICIMBIMINSM
INSURANCE
H. E. HARTLEY
All Types of Life
Term Insurance — Annuities
CANADA LIFE
ASSURANCE CO.
Clinton, Ontario
K. W. COLQUHOUN
INSURANCE & REAL ESTATE
Representative:
Sun Life Assurance Co.
of Canada
Phones: Office HU 2-9747
Res. HU 2-7556
THE McKILLOP MUTUAL
FrRE INSURANCE COMPANY
Head Office: Seaforth
Officers: President, John L.
Malone, Seaforth; vice-president,
John H. McEwing, Blyth; secre-
tary-treasurer, W. E South-
gate, Seaforth.
Directors: John H. McEwing;
Robert Archibald; Chris Leon-
beetle Bornholm; Norman Tre-
wartha, Clinton; Win. S. Alex-
ander, Walton; J. L. Malone,
Seaforth; Harvey Fuller, Gode-
rich; J. E. Pepper, Brucefield;
Alistair Broadfoot, Seaforth,
Agents: Wm. Leiper, Jr., Lon-
desboro; V. J. Lane, RR 5, Sea-
forth; Selwyn Baker, Brussels;
James Keyes, Seaforth; Harold
Squires, Clinton.
REAL ESTATE
LEONARD G. WINTER
Real Estate & Business Broker
Hight Street — Clinton
PHONE HU 2-6692
Weekend Specials !
We are sorry for our insufficient supply of ,Wing Steaks
and Pot Roast over last weekend. We now have a large supply
on hand and we repeat these specials by popular demand.
Tender—Juicy
Wing Steaks 69c lb.
Boneless
Pot Roast 39c lb.
Cooked Ham 89c lb.
FREEZER SPECIAL:
Beef Front Quarter 36c lb.
PETER'S Modern Meat Market
"The Home of Quality Meats' — Phone HU 2-9131
Amalgamated 1024
Published every Thursday at the
Heart of Huron County
Clinton, Ontario— Population 3,000
•
A. L. COLQUHOUN, Publisher
WILMA D, DINNIN, Editor
I #ews eco*'d
THE CLINTON NEWS-RECORD
Est 1801
dr.
e
SUBSCRIPTION RATES:
Atithirized as
A fiery meeting of Clinton
Town Council last Thursday
evening cleared the air of some
misunderstandings following the
nomination meeting on. Mon-
day. Unfortunately Mayor Her-
bert Bridle was without his
gavel, and at times four con-
versations at once made it dif-
ficult work for the reporter.
Main topic under discussion
was that of ratepayers living
in the Pinecrest Subdivision,
who attended in a body to de-
mand that something be done
about the extension to Town-
send Street to prevent mud and
drainage problems.
Subdivider, Councillor L. G.
Winter has still the responsi-
bility for that road until it is
accepted by the town council
as an improved road and ap-
proved by the provincial engin-
eer. He promised work would
be started at once.
Council promised snowplow-
ing would be done, even though
the road was not yet part of
'the town system.
After the deputation left,
Councillor Winter explained
that at the time he took the
petition around to householders
to get signatures for local im-
provement work, he himself
was not aware of all the costs
involved. Councillor Rumball
asked him "What about Jack
Sturdy. He told us you had
told him it wouldn't cost him
one cent."
Mr. Winter reported that Mr.
Sturdy's interest in the other
main was so that he could
tap into :the sewer in his base-
ment. It would be lower than
the one on the other street
he had been served from,
Councillor Winter said he
wished he had been at Court
of Revision meeting on this
matter, but at the time had
no reason to be there. He was
not a member of the court, and
he was perfectly satisfied with
his own notice of assessment.
Councillor Rumball felt that
all people should have been ap-
proached, not just enough for
a majority to get the approval
of the work,
Councillor Winter said he
had seen no need to contact
those who were already con-
nected to a main. He said he
agreed with the principle of
the Local Improvement Act,
and that on a corner lot, where
a possibility of building existed,
the flankage should be charged
for. But at the time he took
around the petition, he was
not aware that a property ow-
ner could be taxed on two
sewer lines.
Councillor Rumball com-
mented that one of those who
signed a similar petition in the
Queen Street area, recalled
that the top of the petition
had been turned clown, and he
thought he had signed a blank
piece of paper.
Clerk John Livermore expl-
ained that in the case of a
corner lot, if at any time land
is sold, then 'the town has the
right to charge for the full
cost of sewerage at that time.
Mayor Bridle commented
that "We all know more about
Local Improvement now than
we did before. There were a
lot of things said and a lot
of misunderstandings because
of lack of knowledge." Coun-
cillor Rumball said that at
court of revision he had been
most concerned over those
people who had not signed,
who were not aware of the
project at all.
Clerk J. Livermore remarked
on the difficulty peculiar to
both these developments', "Gen-
erally," he said, "the matter of
who 'pays for mains its cleared
at the time of construction.
Both sides of the lots, are done
at the same time."
Councillor Winter noted his
pleasure that now he would be
entering the main part of the
subdivision, where half streets
were not involved.
Mayor Bridle noted that at
nomination meeting a suggest-
ion had been made about build-
ing a sidewalk on East Street,
without using Local Improve-
ment, "It is impossible. The
town can only build new side-
walks petitioned for by residents
on the street involved. I would
like to see them-ask for it on
East Street, and then when it
was laid, that the children
would use it."
Councillor Winter, chairman
of the public works committee,
told council that on East Street
there were a dozen trees on the
inside of the sidewalk, which
would have to be dealt with, if
and when a sidewalk is built.
They come between the side-
walk and the street.
Councillor J. Douglas Thorn-
dike told of four street lights
to be added to the town sys-
tem: three on John Street and
one on. Erie Street.
Council authorized the con-
tribution of $35 to assist with
the Christmas treat for the
children, as organized by the
Legion branch, and supported
by service clubs.
Councillor L. G. Winter of-
fered a ;tree from his subdivis-
ion for the Christmas tree on.
Post Office Park this year. The
town men would erect it. May-
or Bridle warned them not to
drive over the flower bed. Mr.
Winter recalled that though
the men got the blame for it
last Christmas they had not
been responsible.
Also Councillor Winter de-
fended the streets men with
regard to grading at the ball
diamond. "They went to the
park four times, and they went
at night, on their own time,
and they were not paid for
time used." Councillor Rumba
asked for clarification; of the
rumour that one of the streets
men had attended London fair
on town time and got paid. Mr.
Winter reported that the man
had made up that time later.
Deputy Reeve Agnew, chair-
man of the finance committee,
piloted a motion to have the
surplus of $600 in. the sinking
fund, invested for four years,
It was authorized.
The Deputy Reeve called for
more thoughtful talk on the
part of council, especially at
election time. "It is not quite
ethical to attack a man you've
sat with all year. I don't be-
lieve anyone on council has
been dishonest. You must check
and double check your facts
before you make these state-
ments," Mr. Agnew also re-
marked that "financing intri-
gues me". Though council is
not supposed to budget for a
surplus, other municipalities do.
Mayor Bridle said', elelaybe
we are in a more healthy sit-
uation,"
Reeve Crich called' for more
discussion in committee, say-
ing that not enough committee
meetings had been held. Mayor
Bridle could not recall being
invited 'to any meetings of
health and welfare, of which
Mr. Crich is -chairman, "If
your criticism is helpful, Mr.
Crich, then OK. But I can't re-
call you holding committee
meetings yourself."
Deputy Reeve Agnew recal-
led that council used to have
a committee meeting of the
whole, the Friday before coun-
cil meeting. Mayor Bridle cal-
led him on this saying, "We
can't meet Friday because it's
open night. We tried to hold
them Thursday, but that didn't
suit you."
Mr. Agnew stated, "I'm in
business, too."
Mayor Bridle contended that
the pool room was open every
night, while the stores were
not. "Last year, sir, you sprung
a motion on us, to hold two
council meetings a month. Are
you going eo change that in
1961 and ask for a committee
meeting, and a council meet-
ing? If you do, please let us
have notice of motion in ad-
vance, You sprung the other
one on us rather fast."
The deputy reeve lost his
temper slightly, and half stand-
ing warned, "I'll tell you one
thing, I am not going to be
committed by any suggestion
you may make now, or at any
time to come. Just look up the
by-law on the books concern-
ing meeting procedure."
Councillor Winter agreed that
committee meetings were im-
portant, but it was difficult
to find a time suitable to all.
Mr. Agnew again scolded
council, and the mayor, "I've
heard more d bickering
this year than ever before, over
little things. And I blame you
for it mister (speaking to the
mayor). You're not in control
of ;the chair."
The deputy reeve went on.
"There should be greater= ad-
herence to proper procedure.
And each year there are new
fellows. They should be guided
and taught the rules of pro-
cedure. It is only fair."
Councillor Beattie comment-
ed, "I believe the job of the
striking committee is larger
than they appreciate."
Mayor Bridle said,` "Yes, they
probably should take longer to
make their decisions."
Deputy Reeve Agnew quoted
from old Churchill: "Give me
the tools and I'll finish the
job." The striking committee
can only use the councillors
that the voters elect.
Councillor Thorndike said,
"Do you mean you feel that
last year's council was not a
good council?"
Councillor Beattie said he
had only referred to Mr. Cri-
ch's comment about difficulty
in calling committee meetings.
This is a trying time of year.
Across the land, a lot of people
are in a stew about something.
Merchants who have gone to
the hilt on the overdraft, for a
beg stock, are sweating out the
pre-Christmas doldrums. Stud-
ents who have had a ball all
fall are green as they face
Christmas exams with nothing
in the belfry. Housewives look
forward to the Christmas chaos
with sheer dread.
But I'm not worrying too
much about any of Them. The
merchants will wind up a few
dollars ahead of last year. The
students will totter through on
a mixture of luck and nerve,
The housewives will emerge on
Boxing Day, 'bloody but un-
bowed. The people who have
my deep sympathy, this time
of year, are the men and wo-
men in hundreds of municipal-
ities who are standing before
a mirror, trying to look firm,
intelligent and able, as they
seek to muster enough courage
to run for public office. *
The annual nomination meet-
ing is the best show in town, It
produces enough high drama,
low comedy and suspense to
make some of the so-called
masterpieces of W. Shakespeare
look pretty flimsy. For ten
years I attended every nomina-
tion meeting, as a newspaper-
man, and on. a couple of oc-
casions as a candidate. I would-
n't trade it for a season's tic-
ket to the Stratford Festival.
Before the meeting gets real-
ly warmed up, there's lots, of
fun. The mayor and the reeve
have their heads' together, fig-
uring out how to skate over
the thin ice of that substantial
deficit. The expert needlers be
the crowd aro sharpening the
points on their questions. The
practical jokers are nominating
the local idiot, dead people, and
the town's loose woman, The
(inevitable drunk is on hand,
not quite tipsy enough to be
thrown ottt. 41 *
And sitting there, still as the
grave, staring wildly into space,
are the brand new candidates,
Who have thrown caution' to the
winds and decided to "go out
for" a seat on the council or
school board, It's 'A pretty tense
business for them, I can tell
you.
.0 * *
Don't talk to one about your
Kennedy and Nixon. Those big
fellows have staffs of advisers
and consultants and public re-
lations men: and proxies and
moguls and campaign managers
and exports and party Machines
and ward heelers and all sorts
of things on nomination night.
They're not alone,
tilt that detettedriedeleoleing
little woman in the fOutiii row,
(By W. B. T. SMILE)?)
who turns alternately red and
white, like a neon sign, is as
lonely as a deaf mute on a raft
in the Sahara. She has keyed
herself to a frightening peak
of nerves. She has never spok-
en in public before. And she is
going to run fora seat on the
school hoard and try to ginger
up that all-male, inert body,
which is all talk and no action,
She is fierce, but frightened.
And look over here. Young
Punkiss is "going out" for
council and he looks it. There's
a fine film of sweat on his
face and he grips the back of
the chair in front of him with
the same expression as a kid on
a roller coaster. You can't
blame him. He's going up a-
gainst Doc Socum, and every-
body in town owes the Doc.
Punkiss has only been in town
for 12 years and has a lot of
nerve to try for a seat. There's
some pretty raggedy material
going on the ballot this year. *
There, the speeches are start-
ing. Listen to old George giv-
ing it to the mayor about the
sidewalks. Old George knows a
thing or two about those side-
walks. He helped build them,
52 years, ago. There's Joe Slosh,
with a skinful, going after the
reeve about the taxes on his
place. Says he won't pay a
cent till they pave the etreet,
put in a sewer, and install a
street light in front of his
house. His total taxes are $18,
and he's two years in arrears.
There, the chief is ushering him
out, same as last year. *
And so it goes. Don't tell me
about the Roman senate or the
House of Commons. For vivid
clash of personalities, for the
rapier thrust of wit, give me a
nomination meeting, every
time. The chairman of the
school board defends himself
like a' tiger when, some pretty
sharp questions come up about
teachers' salaries, The chair-
man of the library board paints
a sweeping picture of the
town's cultural progress with
300 more books borrowed than
last year, and two new shelves
added to the )library'. * *
But it's 11,30, and a lot of
the spectators have -drifted out.
They have to get some sleep.
After all, tomorrow's the day
the magistrate holds court, and
there are some pretty interest-
ing eases,
It's a pity, but by the time
there's a chance for the netv
candidates to speak, there's no-
body loft but the chairman,
looking blue, and the caretak-
er, Who has to sweep up after
the meeting, loo)cing black,
Little Mrs. Bantam, the can-
dictate for, sehool board, rises
anyway. it's understood that
she has prepared a pretty sav-
Page 2--,Clinton News-Record—Thursday, Dec, 8, 1960
. Clinton Cancer Society
REgvIREs •
VOLUNTEER DRIVERS
TO TRANSPORT PATIENTS TO LONDON
(mileage will be paid)
c.rtact Miss Esther Jamieson
phone .HIJ 2-9566
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second class mail, Post Office Department, Ottawa
Council In Action
Business and Professional
Directory
A. M. HARPER and COMPANY
CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS
33 HAMILTON STREET GODERICH
TELEPHONE JA 4-7562
SUGAR and SPICE . .
age attack on the other mem-
bers of the board, and has a
bold, new platform to propose.
She looks at the chairman, who
is nodding, at the caretaker,
who is mutteeing, and at young
Punkiss, who has fallen sound
asleep, while waiting his turn.
* *
She bursts into tears and
stamps out. Awakened abrupt-
ly, Punkiss leaps to his feet.
His chance has come. Now is
the time for that brief, witty
and gracious speech he 'has pre-
pared. He blurts: "Mr. Chair-
man, fellow ratepayers, I wan-
na thank my nominator and
seconder and if elected I will
do my besta serve to the besta
my ability."
And from such gallant souls
as Punkiss come our local legis-
lature and that spark of fire
that keeps democracy burning
bright.
PUBLIC ACCOUNTANT
ROY N. BENTLEY
PUBLIC ACCOUNTANT
Goderich, Ontario
Telephone Box
JA 4-9521 478
RONALD G. McCANN
PUBLIC ACCOUNTANT
Office and Residence
Rattenbury Street East
Phone HU 2-9677
CLINTON, ONTARIO
OPTOMETRY
J. E. LONGSTAFF
OPTOMETRIST
Eyes Examined
OPTICIAN
Oculists' Prescriptions Filled
Includes Adjustments At
No Further Charge
Clinton—Mondays Only
9,00 a.m, to 5.30 p.m.
Above Hawkins Hardware
G. B. CLANCY, O.D.
— OPTOMETRIST —
For Appointment
Phone JA 4-7251
GODERICH
38-tfb