HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Exeter Times-Advocate, 1954-02-18, Page 1*
Hensall OK's Ice
By 83-13 Margin
By an overwhelming majority of more than six to one,
Hensall ratepayers, at a public meeting Wednesday night,
approved issuing $30,000 in debentures for the installation of
artificial ice.
The recorded result of the standing vote was 83-13 in
favor. The total number, 96, re
presents about 36 per cent of the
265 owners iu the village.
‘ The decisive affirmative vote
marked a triumphant climax to a
three-months’ campaign waged by
a citizens’ committee, representa
tive of various organizations in
Hensall.
Must Be Approved
The village council will prob
ably pass first and second read
ings of the artificial ice by-law
at its next meeting. The by-law
must be approved by-the Ontario
Municipal Board and a third
reading given by council before
t^e debentures can be sold.
3 Unless something unforeseen
happens, the Hensall Memorial
Community Centre will have an
artificial ice plant and its hall
will be completed before next
fall.
Although the meeting bogged
down with numerous debates on
technicalities, there was little ac
tual opposition presented against
the project.-
Council, which had originally
called for a standing vote at the
meeting, changed its mind at a
closed session before the public
discussion began. They first asked
for a vote on whether the rate
payers wanted a standing vote or
a secret ballot, Those at the
meeting approved a standing vote
two to one. *
Approximately 250 persons, in
cluding ratepayers, non - owners
and others from outside
municipality, attended.
Request $30,000
Harvey Keys, chairman of
parks board which made the
ficial request for $30,000, led
presentation for the pro faction.
He was followed by E. L. Mickle,
chairman of the citizens’ com
mittee.
Representatives of Ontario
government departments, R. E.
Second, of the Department of
Education, and F. A. Lashley of
the Department of Agriculture,
outlined the grants available in
connection with the project.
the
the
of-
the
W. R. DougaH, one of the lead
ers in the petition movement
which asked for a secret ballot,
stated that 44 per cent of the
electors had requested the ballot
and “.I think that is the only de
mocratic way to go about it.”
Misunderstood
Reeve Alvin Kerslake, chair
man of.the meeting, said many
persons had come to him ’saying
they had not understood the peti
tion and wished to withdraw their
names.
Village Assessor W. B. Cross
questioned promoters of the pro-
—Please Turn to Page 7
Eighty-Second Year
& •
‘ '.’-W
/‘IS
DOUBLE FATALITY — Impact of the head-on crash which
killed two persons and injured nine others on Saturday jfi
shown in this closeup of the cars. Driven back by the colli
sion, engines of the cars pinned occupants in the front seat.
The crash came at 5:30 pan. on the Dashwood road. Seven
■I the 1 1 (persons involved were, children. Driver of the car__ _ _ at
right was Milton E. Ratz, of Shipka, who died early Sunday
’.i ruing, He was driving a Seaforth family home. The other
v-'hn, Mrs. Richard Simpson, was travelling with her fam
ily to Grand Bend. —Photo by Noseworthy
Crash Kills Two,
Hospitalizes Five
South Huron’s first major* traffic accident in 1954 and
one of its most disastrous in history, a head-on collision near
Dashwood on Saturday, claimed the lives of two persons.
Milton E. Ratz, 40, well-known Shipka mill owner, who
was driving a Seaforth family home from a funeral, and Mrs.
Richard Simpson, 42, former Ex
eter resident, died in hospital I
hours after two cars rammed
each other on Highway 83.
Nine others, seven of them
children, suffered injuries. Five
are still in hospital.
The two 1953-model
lided one-half mile east
wood around 5:30 p.m.
point-blank, engines of both cars
were driven into the occupants
of the front seats.
Meets Snow Plow
Mr. Ratz was travelling east
when, police allege, he turned out
to pass a snow plow and collided
with the west-bound Simpson ve-
cars col-
of Dash-
Crashing
XLbe (feefer^imes-Atoocafe
EXETER, ONTARIO, THURSDAY MORNING. FEBRUARY 18, 1954
Freak Thunderstorm, Sun
Cellars Become Indoor Pools,
Rivers Wash Out Area Roads
Experiences of homeowners affected by the flood ranged
from pathetic to humorous.
Here is how the flood affected some of them:
Mrs. Evelyn Broderick and Harold Broderick, her son,
who lives next door, both had several feet of water in their
cellars. Canned fruit and potatoes
were floating around. Fear water
may have cracked firepots of
furnaces as there were hot fires
burning when water came in.
Mr. E. C. Appleton was awak
ened early by a call from Mrs.
Hyndman, who discovered water
Govt Shrouds Scheme
For Public Pinery Park
Since strict secrecy shrouds ne
gotiations, speculation over what
plans the provincial government
has for the Pinery is limited.
It’s established, however, that
the proposed Lake Huron park is
at the top of the list of projects
being considered under the new
provincial parks policy.
Consider Seriously?
Although no official confirma
tion can be secured, reliable
sources say the government has
been negotiating with the owners
of the property. Rumours of top-
level department conferences over
First Storm
In February
Here’s what caused the
mess:
Unique spring weather,
which climbed to a high of 54
degrees on Monday, reduced
snow from an average depth
of 13 inches to just a “trace” in two days. 1
The first February thunder
storm in at least seven years
dropped 2.08 inches of rain
over the district. Over three-
fifths of this amount, 1.28
inches, fell between 1:30 a.m.
and 7:30 a.m. Tuesday.
The met section at RCAF
Station Centralia, whose re
cords go back seven years,
said the thunderstorm was the
first recorded for the month of
February.
Their records showed 13
inches of snow on the ground
Sunday but by Monday this
had been reduced to six inches.
On Tuesday, what is officially
termed a “trace” of snow was
all that was left.
the Pinery proposal indicate that
it’s’being considered very serious
ly.
No Information
No information has been re
leased on what exactly is “the
new provincial parks policy which
■will increase the number of
parks”. Speech from the Throne
only mentioned it. *
But there is some talk of crea
tion of a new department to deal
with parks. Other rumours in?
dicate a special board or com
mission.
Some information of the new
parks organization and the plans
in relation to the Pinery is ex
pected to .be released when the
Ausable Authority meets in Park
hill next Wednesday,
meantime, “mum” is the
ment word.
In the
govern-
Plan Seniors* Night
At a joint meeting of
reational council and committees
from the senior citizens and
Rebekahs, on Monday night- in
the town. hall, March 9 was the
date set for the next social eve
ning for Exeter’s senior citizens.
The program will be presented
the Legion Hall.
the rec-
in
Award Contract
To Improve 83
Contract for construction work
of the Thame-s Road, or Highway
83, has been let. to a Kitchener
firm, Thomas Pryde, M.L.A., an
nounced this week.
Work includes grading ahd
'construction of culverts prepara
tory to paving, on six miles of
the road east of Exeter.
The Kitchener firm is Hishon
Construction Co.
in her basement. Mr. Appleton
had 20 inches of water in his
cellar. He warned his neighbors
who had oil-burning furnaces and
they were able to remove motors
before they were harmed.
Ross Taylor’s cellar was
of water. A washing machine
canned fruit were damaged,
dog had to be rescued from
highest part of coal bin, where
he had climbed to safety.
Charter Boat?
Gordon Koch hadn’t much wa
ter in basement but house was
surrounded by swirling waters
which ran down Anne Street,
then took a course between the
Koch and Kirk houses. Mr. Koch
called Principal H. L. Sturgis and
told him he was marooned, to
which the principal queried,
“Can’t you charter’ a boat?”.
With the use of rubber boots,
loaned by a relative and delivered
to his door, Mr. Koch finally was
on his way to S.H.D.H.S.
At Laverne Wells’ home, a pet
dog who’ choses to sleep in a
wash tub in the basement, was
found floating around with his
paws on the edge of the tub and
a -bewildered look in his eyes. He
was rescued.
Walter Cutbush reported five
feet of water in his basement on
Tuesday. He got the oil burner
out of his furnace before it was
damaged. Despite the use of a
pump, three feet of water re
mained on Wednesday. His neigh
bors, Mr. Cole, Edgar Broderick,
Wes Johns, S. Jory, Ewart Pym
and Mrs. Reeder, all had flooded
basements.
■ At William Middleton’s, an oil
burning furnace and a deep
freeze were put out of commis
sion.
Move Out
Glen Mickle, Andrew Street:
Water came into basement Sun
day night. No heat in house since
Monday morning. Mrs. Mickle and
family were taken to Windsoi’ on
Tuesday by Mr. Mickle and will
remain there until heat is
able in their home.
May Armstron,
to four feet of water
and her oil-burning
damaged. The fire
pumped water out
but it came back in
turned on Wednesday to try the
pump again.
Miss
Price Per Copy 7<
•
TUESDAY’S LAKE — The rushing torrent that invaded Ex
eter from the east Tuesday morning spread into a 300-foot
lake in the block behind Main street. Picture, taken from
Andrew street, shows the lake in Snell Bros. Ltd. parking lot.
At peak of flood, water reached platform of truck, centre,
and poured across No. 4 Highway over a foot high. The one-
day river raced down Anne street, crossed behind houses west
of William. Several homes were isolated by Jakes. —T-A Photo
Anderson Scores Three
As Tribe Edges Rockets
avail-
three
cellar
g had
in her
furnace was
department
on Tuesday
and men re
Frank Anderson sparked the
Exeter Mohawks to their first
victory in the “A” round robin
Wednesday night, a 6-4 win over
Stratliroy Rockets.
Anderson fired three goals and
picked up one assist for a four-
point night. His brace of tallies
in the final frame broke a 4-4
tie at the end of the second.
The teams battled to
lock in the first two
Score in the first was
both sides counted two
the second.
Exeter Opens Scoring
Ray Richards counted
marker at 6.25. Al McGillivray
was given an assist. Bud Dodds
and Don Fulton scored two for
the Rockets but Frank Anderson
tied it up for Mohawks on a play
with McGillivray.
Ted Garvin, Rockets’ playing
coach, scored the first of his two
goals in the third minute of the
second. Doug Smith evened the
a dead
periods.
2-2 and
more in
the first
count again with the Andersons
counting assists. Fred Hewer net
ted Mohawks’ fourth tally with
help from Bruce Glen. Garvin
made it 4-4 with his second tally
of the period.
Anderson’s two goals in the
third came at 4.36 and 15.25.
Doug Smith assisted him on the
first one and his second one was
a breakaway effort.
.Play was ragged in the first
period but the action opened up
in the second. Both teams dis
played some great defensive plays.
Bob Coates, Mohawk forward,
suffered a broken thumb in the
first period when he hit the
boards. Ailing Reg Turner was
replaced in the Mohawk nets by
“Dick Watson in the second per-
Jiod.
Exeter Rural HEPC
one pole washed out dur
The
ported
ing the flood near Elimville.
re-
Bring Floods
River Through Heart Of Town
Widens To 300 Feet At Peak
A new river rampaged through the heart of Exeter Tues
day morning when melting snow and a freak thunderstorm
saturated the area with water.
The raging stream, flooding to 300 feet wide, sent tons
and tons of water from Usborne township across the town
hide. Drivers who had met the
snow plow earlier said R stirred
up a swirl of snowflakes which
hampered visibility.
Mrs. Lena Dick, of Seaforth,
and six children ranging in age
from seven to 16, were passen-.
gers in the Ratz vehicle. Mr.
Ratz had met them at a funeral
at Grand Bend and offered to
drive them home.
Mr. Simpson, his wife and
daughter were travelling to Grand
Bend where they had purchased
a home. They intended to move
to the summer resort in the near
future.
Nephew First On Scene
First upon the scene was Earl
Ratz,. of Dashwood, a nephew o£
the- victim. Driving behind the
Simpson car, he met the snow
plow and was momentarily blind
ed by the blizzard. When visibil
ity cleared he saw the two cars
rammed together. All occupants
but two small boys were in the
car when he reached the scene.
He later assisted in bringing the
victims to hospital.
Dr. U. Gulens, of Dashwood,
rendered first aid. Two ambul
ances and several private cars
brought the injured to South
Huron Hospital where three Ex
eter doctors—Dr. M. C. Fletcher,
Dr. F. J. Milner and Dr.
Butson—were waiting.
Mrs. Simpson died in South
Huron Hospital four hours
the crash. Mr. Ratz died
Sunday morning.
Huron Crown Attorney H.
Hayes and Coronor Dr. F. J. Mil
ner authorized an inquest into
the accident, it will be held when
the injured are released from
hospital.
F. J*
after
early
Glen
to Stephen.
Water bolted crazily down the
path of the creek which cuts
through Exeter near the south
end. It fanned into lakes
isolated houses, damaged
and washed away roads.
The stream opened up
ward street near Huron,
down the lots between Huron
James, spread through the large
parking lot of Snell Bros. Ltd.,
across the No. 4 highway
down Anne street. Then it
•between two houses south
William and worked its way
to the township.
Worst. In History
Observers credited
worst in the town’s
a combination of the
amount of water and the plug
ging of the six-foot tile which
carries the creek from Andrew
street to the other side of town.
While this new river flared,
the main Ausable swelled to
large proportions. Fears that the
dam might give way prompted
sandbagging at the north end.
When drains rebelled against
the torrents, hundreds of cellars
throughout the town became in
door pools. Several families were
forced to move when
and electricity was cut
Town officials were
with complaints. Ever}’
sump pump was worked
and householders drove as
away as London to purchase
ones.
The town fire department,
members of council, put the
truck into play in the afternoon
to pump out cellars.
Two of the most
houses in the 12-hour river
those of Eric Heywood and
Evelyn Broderick. Water
above the cellar windows.
Heywood house was completely
isolated.
Two business places which took
the brunt of the flood were Snell
Bros. Ltd. and the Guenther Tuc-
key Transports building at
corner of Anne and Main.
Water rose to a depth of
feet in the back shop of the
age and streamed through
new showroom of Snell’s. During
the peak of the flood, men swept
the water that came through the
east door of the showroom
through the front door.
The river reached almost a
—Please Turn to Page 12
which
cellars
at Ed-
cut
and
and
cut
of
out
the flood,
history, to
tremendous
furnaces
off.
swamped
available
overtime
far
new
and
fire
affected
were
Mrs.
rose
The
the
two
gar
th e
Agrees To Enlarge PO
But Not For Few Years'
Canada’s Postmaster - General,
Hon. Alcide Cote, has agreed that
the local post office needs to be
enlarged but doubts if his de
partment will attempt it for
several years.
In a letter to the council, Mr.
Cote said: “It would appear . . .
that enlargement is necessary
and possible."
“The matter
very thorough
am instructing
be made without delay.
“However, in view of the ex
tensive list of projects now in
hand, I can give you no assur
ance that this will proceed
yond the planning stage for
next few years.”
Discuss Police Cruiser
Purchase of a police cruiser
and employment of a third full-
time constable were discussed by
council Monday night.
Submitting the monthly report
from the department, police com
mittee chairman Ed Brady said it
was necessary
mediately on
tion.
He offered
purchase a town cruiser, or pay
a portion of the cost of buying
new private cars for Chief Reg
Taylor and
an.
Clerk C.
structed to
Mitchell and Clinton of supply
ing a cruiser and the police com
mittee was authorized to secure
prices for a car from local auto
motive dealers.
Discussion of a third man came
up with the request for a uni
form for the part-time constable,
Lionel Kendrick. Councillors not-
have hired a third full-time man.
Uniform for Constable Kendrick
was authorized.
Police reported
the worst problem
time. Damage has
the grandstand
park, to the PUC station
Riverview and to the grove of
trees on the north side of the
Ausable.
will require a
investigation. I
that this survey
be-
the
to take action im-
police transporta
two alternatives;
Constable John Cow
V. Pickard was in
find out the costs to
vandalism is
at the present
been noted at
in community
at
Request from Recreational
Chairman Glen Mickle for a
$2,000 grant was referred -to the
ed both Clinton and Mitchell
finance committee. This amount
is to pay the recreation director’s
salary
Mr. Mickle pointed out this
grant
other
paid by the Ontario Department
of Education.
Asked if he
rangement was
Mickle replied:
have- an arnea
operated for six months of the
year, this is the only economical
way to get a capable arena man
ager.” He also emphasized that
the arrangement assisted in pro
viding recreation all year around.
Please turn to page 7
during summer months.
would be reduced’ in an-
year by one-third. This is
thought this ar
sa tisfactory, Mr.
“As long as you
which must be
APPOINTED PRINCIPAL — J.
B. Creech, school teacher in this
district for over 16 years, has
been appointed principal of Kings
ville District, High School. Now
completing his sixth year at SH-
DHS, Mr. Creech was principal of
Exeter Public School eight years.
t
SHDHS QUEEN IS CROWNED — Friday night was a high
light in the life of Kathryn Hunter, of R.R. 3, Exeter. Elected
queen of the annual “At Home” dance, Kathryn was the toast
of the student body at the school's top social activity. Events
of het* coronation evening are shown here. Above, Kathryn
prepares for the dance with the assistance of her sister, Eliza
beth. Centre left, she and her escort. Bill Yungblut, of Zur
ich, leave for the school and. Centre right; enjoy dancing with
their friends in the Valentine-decorated gymtorium. At right,
last year's queen, Beth Taylor, places the regal coronet on
Kathryn’s head while Trudy Pickard, one of the ladies in
Waiting, watches from behind. ——Jack Doerr, Uxeter
...." ;
[ A