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The Exeter Times-Advocate, 1953-05-14, Page 2Page 2 THE TIMES-ADVOCATE, EXETER, ONTARIO, THURSDAY MORNING, MAY 14, 19S3 This journal shall always fight for progress, reform and public welfare, never be afraid to at­ tack wrong, never belong to any political party, never be satisfied with merely printing news. THURSDAY MORNING, MAY 14, 1953 This Is Safety Month Let s Do Our Bit To Curtail Accidents Another System? Politicians are getting warmed up for the federal election battle this fall. Western Ontario has already had a taste of the big affray. Both Liberal and Progressive Conservative parties have held important rallies in London recently. The House of Commons, and in turn the press, is full of a lot more political pro­ paganda than of legislation, As soon as the Coronation is over, Can­ adians can look forward eagerly to the big wind which will blow across the country. Several national writers have already warned Canadians about the rather unethi­ cal, but apparently necessary, methods the parties use to raise funds to carry on their campaigns. Every member of parliament is supposed to file a public statement on his campaign expenditures. These, the writers point out, are either not made at all or, if they are, they include only a small portion of the total cost of winning an election. The parties build up a large campaign fund through the contributions of big busi­ ness corporations and wealthy individuals. For the most part, it seems, these contribu­ tions do not have strings attached but there would appear to be a strong threat that these fund benefactors might be able to “persuade” a party or government to make a few concessions. Every party to be in the running must have a huge financial budget to draw on in an election. The general public aren’t parti­ cularly inclined to give out with donations for political causes. This leaves only big business left to swell the coffers. It would be more ethical if some system could be devised whereby the fuqds for the campaigns are taken from the taxes of the people—thus leaving the parties free of the influence of donors. May is Safety Month across Canada. This is the month when the Canadian automobile, association, along with Canadian service clubs, try to impress upon the public the need for greater care in the use of motor vehicles. Every motorist is asked to check up on his driving habits and on the condition of his car. Safety months and safety campaigns are becoming increasingly necessary because of the rapidly-growing toll of death, injury and property damage on the highways. Each of us must be impressed with the fact that accidents can be reduced if we ex­ ercise a little care and caution. All of us have to accept the responsibility of driving high-powered vehicles on public thorough­ fares. Let’s do what we can to make our high­ ways safer. Let’s take our cars into the garages and have them checked for safe performance. Let’s check up on our driving, * * * * School Sports Again Since the editorial appeared several weeks ago discussing the conflicting interests of school and community winter sports pro­ grams, we have received two letters from students condemning our conclusion that the school should switch the emphasis of its pro­ gram to hockey instead of basketball. Both of these letters were printed on this page and readers have had an opportunity to con­ sider both points of view. We do not intend to answer all the arguments put forth by the students. (In­ cidentally, one letter was written by two high school teachers for the Boys’ Athletic Society.) We feel our original comment will %the TIMES" Go By Jottings By J.M.S. Pupils Swamped Grigg Store Our Busy Politicians (From Hansard) Mr. Blackmore (Lethbridge—speaking in the debate on broadcasting) . , . There is an ever prevailing danger of undue influ­ ence, of hidden hands, guided by evil forces, acting unknown to the people. Anyone in this country or in this house who fails to recognize the truth of what I have just said is betraying the trust which has been im­ posed upon him. Mr. Stewart (Winnipeg North): Will my hon. friend permit a question? I should like to know whose these hidden hands are, to whom they belong? I think we ought to know this. Mr. Blackmore: I think you ought to know it. I think it is one of the hon. mem­ ber’s deficiencies in this house that he does not know it. If he will come with me out­ side the house I will put him through a course of training that will teach him these things $ and it would be greatly to his bene­ fit. Mr. Stewart: In secret? Mr. Blackmore: My room is no secret place. Mr. Stewart: Put it on “Hansard”. Mr. Blackmore: My room is no secret place, and the hon. member will be welcome. I have not time to teach him from the floor of the House of Commons. Mr. Stewart: Let us have the twuth to­ day. . . . Mr. Nose worthy (York South) : I challenge you to do it here. Mr. Blackmore: All right. You come around and see me and I will put you through a six months’ course in salvation. Mr. McCann (Renfrew South): Will you give him a diploma?* * * re­ Parents, school teachers and the town police should take action on the complaints voiced by readers regarding boys and girls who ride their bicycles on the sidewalks and endanger the safety of pedestrians. Young­ sters will cooperate if they are given the proper direction. stand in spite of these condemnations. However, the point raised about costs in the Athletic Society's letter is perhaps unfair. It may have been used as an honest point or it may have been used to scare tax­ payers. In either case, it is not applicable. The cost of operating a high school hockey team in London or Northern Ontario has no relation whatsoever to the cost of operating a team here. The bare quotation of a deficit (or rather, two large enough to be frighten­ ing) should not serve to influence anyone until all the conditions of operating the team are known. Any person (especially teachers) will realize that the attitudes of school boards and school policies vary very greatly throughout the province as do the conditions surrounding each school. Several points which concern the dis­ cussion have been suggested to us by citi­ zens and we will add them here. If we compare the number of students who would participate in the two sports, we find that hockey would give more boys a chance to play on the school team. In basket­ ball, only about six—at the most eight— boys actively participate in the games, es­ pecially the more crucial ones. In hockey, of course, at least 12, and more often 15, are necessary for a game. A school’s curriculum should be adjust­ ed to coordinate with the community it serves. That is why agriculture is taught as the main optional subject. It would be fool­ ish to teach tool and die making or mining in this district. It is similarly foolish, we be­ lieve, to teach basketball in a hockey dist­ rict if it is possible to provide hockey. The final point is perhaps the most pertinent. If the principal, physical educa­ tion teacher and members of the school board are determined to promote basketball among the boys in confliction with the sports program of the district, they will be able to find many excuses to disregard any pleas to consider the hockey program. If, however, they wish to cooperate with the district, we feel they will at least investi­ gate the possibilities of providing hockey. 50 YEARS AGO A small fire in the Fanson block over the Lutz drug store called out the fire department. Mr. Will Hill has disposed of his business in Buffalo and with his wife is visiting friends here. Mr. Hill will leave on a prospect­ ing trip to the Northwest while Mrs. Hill remains in Exeter. A public meeting of ratepayers has been called for the purpose of nominating a candidate to fill the position held by J. T. Man­ ning, which has been declared vacant, owing to his absence of three months from the council board. Messrs. Ross and Taylor have added to their planing mill busi­ ness by purchasing the business carried on for the past 30 years by the late James Willis. Communication to the editor: Dear Mr. Hediter: We be waantin to knaaw if there be goin to be ennything a doin in Exeter on 20 of May. I do hope thear will be. Ax sum one to get up sum’mat. Us used to have fine spoort a few years ago. Neow do ax like a gude man. —Yours truewly, Jan. 25 YEARS AGO The I.O.O.F. Lodge held a successful “At Home” in the Opera House. The members of Hurondale Institute served a banquet to over 200. An orches­ tra led by Mr. H. Gidley pro­ vided music and community singing was led by Jock Mac­ Donald and W. • Spence, London, who provided the program. Representatives of the pro­ vincial highway met with Exeter council to discuss putting down permanent tar-roads on the side streets, which Reeve C. B. Snell felt would cost no more than graveling the roads. Weather conditions have been ideal for seeding and it will be about completed in the vicinity this week. €xeter Quines gfobocate Tlmee Established 1873 Amalgamated 192M- Advocate Established 1881 Published Each Thursday Morning at Exeter, Ontario An Independent Newspaper Devoted to 'the interests of the Town of Exeter and District Authorized as Second Class Mail, Post Office Department, Ottawa Member of the Canadian Weekly Newspaper Association Member of the Ontario-Quebec Division of the CJWN A Member of the Audit Bureau of Circulation Paid-in-Advance Circulation as of March, 1952 —- 2,534 SUBSCRIPTION RATES Canada, in advance, $3.00 a year — United States, in advance, $4.00 a year Single Copies Each X Melvin Southcott * Publishers * Robert Southcott Extend Harbor Supplementary estimates tabled in the House of Commons last week included an item of $38,000 for the extension of a retaining wall on the south side of the harbor at Bayfield. According to A. Y. McLean, M.P. for Huron-Perth, the con­ struction will provide much needed additional moving space on the south side of the river mouth. During recent years the number of fishing vessels using the port, coupled with use made of Bayfield by transient craft, has resulted in overcrowding and congestion of the existing wharf space on the north side. The re­ taining wall, which is now authorized, will also be of as­ sistance in curtailing erosion on the south shore. (Huron Expositor) Boy Killed By Truck An inquest will be held to in­ vestigate the death of three- year-old David Arthur Vezina. David was killed instantly on Tuesday afternoon, May 5, at 2:20 p.m., crushed under the wheels of a three-ton stake truck, at Adastral Park. David was the son of Flying Officer and Mrs. Robert Vezina, residents of Adastral Park) Per­ manent Married Quarters), RCAF Station Clinton. The driver of the truck which killed young David, was Arthur Leibold, R.R. 2, Clinton, who had been engaged In collecting gar­ bage from the homes at Adastral Park. Minutes before the fatal accident, Mr. Leibold had noticed the youngster playing dangerous­ ly close to the truck, and had carried him tp safety up onto a nearby lawn. (There are no 15 YEARS AGO A two-day musical festival for pupils of South and East Huron public schools, was held in James Street United Church for two days. Entries numbered 445 with an estimated attend­ ance of over 3,000. Mr. E. W. G. Quantz, London, was the ad­ judicator. Mr. and Mrs. Jonah Sims were guests of honor at a surprise celebration of their golden wed­ ding at the home of their daugh­ ter, Mrs. C. L. Wilson. About 45 entries have been received for the Exeter Stake Races to be held June 22. Baptismsal services were held at Caven Presbyterian and Main Street and James Street United churches at special Mother’s Day services last Sunday. Lack of enthusiasm was given as the reason for the failure of Exeter to enter a team in the Huron-Perth baseball league. 1O YEARS AGO Seeding operations were again delayed when heavy rains swell­ ed creeks and rivers and left some fields looking like small lakes. East of Centralia and on the Dashwood road, water cover­ ed the highway. Miss Vera Decker held a tea in her Main street apartment in aid of the Red Cross. C. V. Pickard, secretary of the local Ration Board, addressed a meeting of the Lions Club. He explained the two principle rea­ sons for rationing, to make sure each person gets a fair share of scarce commodities and to re­ duce the quantity used. Examinations for those who have attended at least 12 lec­ tures of ’ the Home Nursing Course, will be held in June. Registrations will be received by the convenor, Mrs. W. E. Weekes. lllllltHHIlUililflimilHIHfHimHIIHIlHIIIHniimillHIIIHimitHtHMHIHIthtH News From Our NEIGHBORS (UAittniHtiinitiiiniiiiititiiiiiiiiHtiiiuiiiiiiiiiiitihitiiimtHHiiihiuiHitHiiiiif fences allowed on Adastral Park). (Clinton News Record) Busy Spot Goderich harbor was the bus­ iest spot in town yesterday as close to 10b people lined the breakwater and hauled in liter­ ally hundreds of perch by rod and reel. Most of them from out of town, the various fishermen re­ ported catches as high as 65 and 70 as the perch were biting the best since the run first start­ ed almost two weeks ago. (Goderich Signal-Star) Business Tax A clarification has been made in the Ontario Assessment Act this year, which is of local in­ terest. The amended act reads: “No person occupying or using land aS a rooming house, market garden, or for keeping of bees for the production of honey, shall be liable to business assessment in respect of such land”. (SCaforth News) Coronation Derby Akron, the great tire city, home Of the Soap Box Derby, will have nothing on St. Marys if the boys from Central, West Ward, Holy Name and outlying rural districts schools have the neces­ sary drive to get ill there and build a soap box racing car. Seventy-five dollars has been laid on the line for prises and It is possible for some boy to be a triple winner and take home $10 oh. Coronation Day. This first face is a distance effert ahd the Car that (goes far­ thest plus the next two; will all be entered in the Grand Cham­ pionship Race which will be Last week I referred to soine Of the changes that have taken place on the Main Street since the turn of the century. The Grigg Store Anyone who attended the Exe­ ter school even before 1900 will have fond recollections of the Grigg Stationery Store. Until recent years the name­ plate of William Grigg, tailor, adorned the main door of the living apartment. Before Exeter was incorporated as a village in 1873 William Grigg plied his needle and thread and fashioned garments that were made from homespun cloth from wool that was grown on the backs of local sheep and spun on home spin­ ning wheels of which there are only a few that today are found in museums or treasured as a relic of pioneer days. He passed away in 1908. But it was John Grigg and his niece, Miss Kate MacFaul that were better known to my (genera­ tion. The Grigg store was prin­ cipally a book and stationery store and catered to the schools and pupils of the district, besides providing the books for the pub­ lic library. Pupils Bought Supplies In those days each pupil was responsible for the purchase of dll his school supplies. At the be? ginning of a new term the scholars would be presented with a list of the books and supplies that would’ be required. In many cases there would be a dickering with pupils who had passed to a higher grade for the purchase of their second hand books. However, there was always a stampede to the Grigg store where the demands had been anticipated and they were ready to meet it. Today, the youngsters, with everything provided, miss those early lessons of life of dickering with their fellow­ students or of doing their own shopping to pick out the scrib­ blers with, the most attractive pictures on the covers. We would hazard a guess that with human nature what it is and with Miss MacFaul's un­ alterable opinion that there were no bad children, that everything that left the store was not pi|id for. Every child to Miss MacFaul was a dear or a darling. If a family was in straightened circumstances and supplies were needed Miss MacFaul never re­ fused them credit. However, what the public did not know was that Miss MacFaul had the backing of the trustee board and where an account could not be collected the school trustees paid, it. This was the procedure in later years at least, as the board felt every child should have the advantage of an education. Confidence Betrayed Miss MacFaul's trusting na­ ture came in for a rude awaken­ ing and an almost crippling ex­ perience when one of the clerks dipped too heavily into the cash receipts. It was a set-back that took many months to overcome but I doubt if anyone ever heard a squeak of this from the lips of Miss MacFaul. Some of us rea­ lized that Miss MacFaul was hav­ ing a financial struggle. Successful Jobbing Business Mr. Grigg, in addition to the store which he left largely to Miss MacFaul and his sister Mary, did a- fairly successful job­ bing business and was on the road a great deal. I have turned out many a job for printed stationery that he brought into the office. For years he was secretary of the school trustees and one thing that stands out was the fact that he was a beautiful writer. On many an occasion when fine penmanship was desirable Mr. Grigg was called on to do it. On the other hand when, his reports of the minutes of the trustees came into the office it would take a Philadelphia lawyer to figure it out. Miss MacFaul followed her uncle as secretary of the school trustees and later of the Board of Education and if teachers were not amply reward­ end in those days neither was Miss MacFaul. Employee Makes Good While one of the employees of the Grigg store did not turn out well, there is one who made an outstanding success. Some of our readers will re­ member Alvin Grigg. While the name is the same there is no relationship. I always had a igreat admiration for him. He passed away a few years ago. Candy Counter In Post Office In the old post office, that once formed what is now part of the Lindenfield Hardware, was a candy counter. It was at first run by the Andrew sisters and later by Miss MacFaul. When Alvin came to Exeter from Stephen Township, one of his first jobs was to run the candy counter. He had difficulty in weighing and figuring the cost of a few cents worth of candy and the lads were quick to learn, that there was a bargain at the candy counter. This did not last for long, Alvin was a Barnado boy and at the time of his death owned a large wholesale house in Toron­ to as well as two retail stores. Mr. John Grigg passed away in 1925, Miss Mary Grigg in 1939 and Miss MacFaul in 1942. A reference to the Grigg fam­ ily would not be complete with­ out mention of the beloved Rev. Ernest Grigg, who for the greater part of his life was a Baptist missionary to Burma. Following his retirement he was for a number of years associated with Miss MacFaul. He is now living retired at a ripe old age in London and frequently re­ visits his old home town. Ten Seconds To Live— It Could Happen To You “He pushed his sleeve back, held his wrist close to the light­ ed speedometer, squinted to read the time. A little after nine. Five, ten minutes after. Ought to be home in half an hour . . . .” Thus THE LINK, house organ of the Great Lakes Paper Com­ pany, sets the stage for a strik­ ing ten-second accident drama. TEN SECONDS TO LIVE. He masssaged his eyes with thumb and middle finger, trying to rub out some of the sand . . . NINE SECONDS TO LIVE. He had driven almost eight hours since lunch, and was beginning to feel it ... . EIGHT SECONDS TO LIVE- Lousy driving in the rain. Light from your headlights just seems to soak in along the water . . . SEVEN SECONDS TO LIVE. Probably need a new windshield wiper blade. Old one just spreads the water around in­ stead of wiping clean. Get one tomorrow, or next time it rains. . SIX SECONDS TO LIVE. Somebody threw a cigarette out of an oncoming car. The red glow dissolved almost before it hit the pavement .... FIVE SECONDS TO LIVE. He planted his heels on the floor­ board, squirmed back in the seat, ■trying for comfort .... FOUR SECONDS TO LIVE. At 60 miles an hour, a car covered 88 feet of pavement every sec­ ond. Four seconds 352 feet . . . THREE SECONDS TO LTV1E. Something looked wrong, through the blurry windshield. A tentative dab at the brake stif­ fened into definite pressure as he made out an old, unlighted slow-moving truck ahead . . . . TWO SECONDS TO LIVE. Panic moved in. Turn to the left. No.............car coming. Head­ lights too close. Can’t make it. Turn to the right .... ONE SECOND TO LIVE. Hor­ ror numbed everything into slow motion. He was floating right into the near corner of the truck bed. He opened his mouth to scream. NO SECONDS TO LIVE. It’s happened to lots of people: maybe not just that way, but similarly. Drive too long, eyes get tired, reactions slow down. Rain, darkness, a wind­ shield that’s hard to see through. Driving’ too fast. A car or truck ahead that you can’t see. It's happened to lots of people. IT COULD HAPPEN TO YOU. What has a certain interest That's read both far and wide? It can be nothing but Our well-read classified. “Matter of fact, I was thinking of asking her myself.” three abreast speed breeze start­ ing at King Street and breaking the tape at the Town Tall. So these three racers, already win­ ners of $10 each in the free-for- all, will be in there for an ad­ ditional $5 for first and $3 sec­ ond. In addition there is a lap prize of $4 which will be won by the car travelling the measured lap in fastest time. (St. Marys Journal-Argus) Smiles . . . . . The department store proprie­ tor approached the personnel manager. “What’s the idea of hiring a cross-eyed man for a store detec­ tive?” he demanded. “Well, just look at him,” the manager calmly replied, “can you. tell who he’s watching? * * * # ” A, musician had played in a certain orchestra for 46 years. Then one day he heard a rumor that the orchestra was igoing1 to be disbanded. “Is it true?” he asked the leader, “Yes,”'Was the reply. it was a blow after all those years of service. The musician stood there for a second, then burst out, “tf I’d known it wasn’t a steady job, I’d never have taken it in the first place!” Maclean’s Magazine. “Let’s see, it was a dollar a pack you paid that little chick last night, wasn’t it??’