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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Exeter Times-Advocate, 1954-07-01, Page 2THE TIMES-ADVOCATE, EXETER, ONTARIO, THURSDAY MORNING, JOLY 1, 1954 This journal shall always fight for progress, reform and public welfare* never be afraid to attack wrong, never belong to any political party, never be satisfied with merely print* inq news. THURSDAY MORNING, jfULY 1, 1954 Need Plan Construction of- the fenced-in wading pool and the bathhouse building for River­ view Park has added to the facilities of this recreation area. These measures are temper- ary, however. We remain of the opinion that much time, effort and money will be saved if, after consultation with recreation, parks and landscaping officials, a comprehensive plan for improvement and development of the area is made so that all work done will fit into the long-range objective. The temporary measures that were tak­ en were necessary, of course, but it would speed the completion of the park project and perhaps save money in the end if the plan were ready now and the expenditures made according to it. The sooner the better. Veteran Rt. Hon. James G. Gardiner, the native of this district who went west to teach school, recently celebrated his fortieth year in Dominion-provincial politics. Tins record is exceeded by few Canadians. Reporting the celebration of the occa­ sion, the Canadian Press says this about the "spunky Scot”: Rt. Hon. James G. Gardiner, Minister of Agriculture, at the age of 70 holds no thoughts of leaving the tough political arena but is “ready to carry on as long as the peo­ ple want me”. Jimmy Gardiner started his political career at the tail-end of an age of home­ steaders, pioneers and covered wagons. At that time, he recalled in an interview, men were resolute, clear-sighted and determined to carry out their decided actions. And that, he feels, is the best advice he can give to young politicians—“make up your mind at the outset what the problems are that have to be solved and go to work to make them disappear”. Today, Canada’s greatest need, he be­ lieves, is people, but there does not seem to be that same resolution of olden days bo stock the country with newcomers. “The greatest good we can do the world is to get more people to come here,” he said. The big problems that most troubled countries face stem from the fact they have too many people. But the idea, he said, of feeding people in other parts of the world from Canada’s bountiful harvests is not so effective as that of bringing those people to Canada. Mr. Gardiner, native of Farquhar, Ont., but who spent most of his life in Saskat­ chewan, became sworn to the standards of Liberalism during his college days, before he became a school teacher. He wanted to be a lawyer, but the First World War interfered and he returned to farming and took up school teaching, mak­ ing his first successful bid for the Saskat­ chewan legislature at a by-election June 26, 1914. Though lie’s had some close shaves, he’s never been defeated at the polls. For 40 years he has waged political war, swamping his opponents with powerful rhetoric, statis­ tics and knowledge of history. One time in 1945, he held his Saskat­ chewan seat by a majority of 28 votes, but at the next election in 1949 he received a majority of 4,750. He became a Saskatchewan provincial minister in 1922, a premier in 1926. But one day in 1935, he recalled, the late Prime Minister Mackenzie King told him to “take the next train to Ottawa”. The next thing he knew he was minister of agriculture, a post he's held since. He might be the senior member of Prime Minister St. Laurent’s cabinet except for a technicality. He had to get back to Regina to resign as provincial premier, and so-Trade Minister Howe was sworn in first, beating him in seniority by 30 days. Vacations are supposed to improve health, rest bodies and minds, and help you to live longer. Unfortunately, too often, these vacations end in tragedy. Last year more than 3,000 people were killed on Can­ adian highways, nearly 1,100 of them in the Province of Ontario alone. Most people today drive cars. When they go off on a holiday, they pack Mum and Dad, children and pets into the family “chariot” and head for the open road. Usually unaccustomed to long drives and freqently tired from overwork in offices and factories, most vacationists are in a hurry to reach their favourite summer spot. And so, every year our highway accident rate increases, and there are more and more high- v ay fatalities, especially on summer holiday weekends. The safety people say that many sum­ mer highway accidents are caused by fatigue. Your reflexes slow down, even if your car doesn’t. Accidents can be prevented then if you take precautions to overcome fatigue. Ontario Safety League officials, alarmed at this increasing death toll, have drawn up simple rules which, if followed, may help save your life this summer. This is what they suggest you do: 1. Start trips when rested, not after a day’s work. 2. Take along a thermos of hot coffee. It • will be useful if you travel at night or if you are on those long highway stretches where eating places are few and far be­ tween. 3. Drive according to conditions. Some­ times it’s safer to drive slower than posted speed limits. 4. Don’t pass on hills or curves—and don't cut in. 5. Don’t be a bumper chaser. Stay 100 feet or so behind the car ahead. 6. Don't drive after drinking. Seventeen cut of 100 drivers involved in fatal acci­ dents last year had been drinking—NOT coffee. 7. Always dim your headlights when fol­ lowing or approaching another car. 8. Keep your car windows open and breathe deeply. 9. Drink coffee or some similar “alert­ ness” beverage every two hours. 10. Stop to exercise if you feel drowsy, or rest if you are sleepy. 11. Change drivers every two hours, if possible. 12. Don't engage in heated conversation with other occupants—they may take your mind off the road. Obey these rules, the Ontario Safety ■League says, and you will have a happy vacation and come back alive. Believe It? Will this area be transformed from an agricultural economy to an industrial one in 20 years ? That’s the prediction made by Dr. E. G. Pleva, the U.W.O. geography pro­ fessor. Prophesying the future to Huron and Middlesex county councils recently, Dr. Pleva said the population of the area will double by 1975 and that most of the increase will be in’the towns and villages because of industry which the St. Lawrence Seaway will bring. The trend will be even more urban, Dr. Pleva predicts, because individual farms will be much larger and consequently there’ll be fewer farmers. Development of farm mach­ inery will push the inefficient farmer off the land and farms of the future will be a mini­ mum of 400 to 500 acres, the professor be­ lieves. If Dr. Pleva's predictions come true it will mean that Exeter, with a population of 2,500 today, will be a city of 20,000 and that the population of the rural area sur­ rounding the town, now about 10,000, will be down to 5,000. That’s hard to imagine. In the opinion of one newspaper, every­ thing in Canada is expanding except the dollar. Bfje Exeter <tme£=$fobocate Times Established ±873 Amalgamated 1924 Advocate Established 1881 Published Each Thursday Morning at Exeter, Ontario An Independent Newspaper Devoted to th© 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 Division of the CWNA. Member of the Audit Bureau of Circulations 1953 All-Canada Insurance Federation National Safety Award ±953 Ontario Safety League Award ±954 Winner of the E. F. Stephenson Memorial Trophy for Best Front I’age Among Ontario Weekly Newspapers Paid-in-AdVahce Circulation as of April 1, 1954 —- 2,o47 SUBSCRIPTION BATES Canada (in advance) $3*90 per year —- U.S.A* (in advance) $4.00 per year Published by The Exeter Times-Advocate Limited Jottings By J.M.S. Reminiscing With The I OOF 50 YEARS AGO The large stable on the farm of Mr. Benson Williams was burned to the ground. Three horses, a number of pigs and 10 tons of hay were lost. The Exeter Public School Board has secured the services of Mr, W. J. O'Brien to instruct the Commercial Department at the beginning of the fall term. Mr, Ezra Faist and Miss Eliza­ beth Wuerth of Crediton were married by the Rev, G. G. Damm on June 29, Mr. Robert Sanders entertain­ ed the public school children in the town hall with his grama- phone. The selections were varied and were greatly enjoyed by the pupils. The recently organized bowl­ ing club now have theix* grounds on the Anglican rectory lawn in excellent condition for practice Maclean's Magazine the TIMES" Go By and members are enjoying the recreation. Invitations to tourna­ ments have been received from London and Seaforth. Rev, Dr. Hannon, who has been granted a two months’ holi­ day by the official board of James St. Methodist Church, will visit his sons who are lo­ cated in the North-west territor­ ies. 25 YEARS AGO Mrs. Wilbur McFalls was in­ stantly killed in an automobile accident near Brucefield on Do­ minion Day. Mrs. McFalls was accompanying Mr. and Mrs. Gar­ net Flynn, her daughter and son- in-law, and Mr. and Mrs. Frank Taylor to the races in Kincar­ dine. Their car was struck by a car driven by Andrew Ekert, of Sebringville. Harmon Gill and John Man- ore, of Grand Bend rescued three London men whose -boat was up­ set at the fish nets by a sudden wind. They clung to the posts which support the nets for near­ ly an hour before being rescued. Mr. W. G. Medd was again chosen to represent South Huron at the annual meeting of the Progressive Association held in Hensall. Hundreds of people from the surrounding district attended the July 1 celebration in Exeter. The parade was the longest and fin­ est ever seen here. 15 YEARS AGO An exceptionally large crowd attended the Decoration Day ser­ vice at the Exeter cemetery. B. M. Francis, N.G. of I.O.O.F. lodge, acted as chairman and J. B. Pryde as chaplain. Members of Exeter branch of the Canadian Legion Observed Decoration Day at the Cenotaph prior to the ser­ vice at the cemetery. Members of Lebanon Forest Lodge, A.F. and A.M., attended the Sunday evening service at the Evangelical Church, Credi­ ton. Mr. W. J. Ryckman dug his ’first new potatoes June 2'6 and found them large and of excell­ ent quality. Rev. M. Penrose, who has re­ tired from the ministry, has moved with his family to the house on Andrew St, which he recently purchased. Rev. W. A. Young, of Hensall. has accepted a call from St. An­ drew's Presbyterian Church of Fergus. Mr. Ted Taman has resigned from his position with the Bank of Commerce at Blenheim to ac­ cept a position with the Roe Milling Company at Atwood. IO YEARS AGO Exeter's new fire truck has arrived and a new siren, situat­ ed on the top of the town hall, has been installed with heavy electric wiring, Mrs. Lewis Johns, Elimville, was injured when lightning entered the barn where she was assisting with the milking. An English lad, LAC James Moore, lost his life when his plane crashed and took fire on the farm of Herb Mitchell, south of Crediton, ■Mr. and Mrs. W. R. Goulding and family moved to London this week where Mr. Goulding has ac­ cepted a position as organist and choir leader Of Talbot St. Baptist Church. Mr. J. 0. Vidt has disposed of the Exeter Frozen Fond Lockets to Mr. C. E. McCarter, of Eddy's Mills*Mr. Ray WaghOrn, who is leav­ ing the public school staff, was presented with a gift by the pupils and teachers. “Sorry I canhot -honestly serve on this jury. One look nt that fellow and I'm convinced, he's guilty.” “,Shh! That’s the lawyer for the accused,” * ACWess: They're going to spray perfume at slip wings of my latest picture, Second cat: I knew it smelled when I saw the preview. Sunday was Decoration pay at the Exeter cemetery when the members of the I.O.O.F. and of the Canadian Legion decorated the graves of their departed brethren. I joined with the Oddfellows and as we paraded through the cemetery and placed a small Union Jack at the head of the graves of those who in past years have been members of the order, many pleasant .memories flashed through my jnind. II thought if I mentioned some of the names it would recall some familiar figures that have played an important part in the com­ munity life of Exeter in the years that are past. Space will only permit the mention of a few of the more than 100 Oddfellows whose graves were visited. One of the first was that of Wellington Johns, for many years treasurer of the Order. Mr. Johns was a merchant tailor, son of David Johns, a former postmast­ er whose home was transformed into the present Hopper-I-Iockey funeral home. Mrs. Percy Mc­ Falls, of town, is a daughter. Former Postmasters There was Brother Ed. Chris­ tie and his son E. J. Christie. The former, when horses were in great demand, conducted a livery stable in Exeter. He was later appointed postmaster, the post office being in the south part of the building now occupied by Lindenfield Hardware. E. J. Christie followed his father as postmaster. Just to mention the old posf office should recall many pleasant associations. It used to be my duty in those days to take the Times paper to the post office in a hand-drawn wagon. It used to be a race as to whether The Times or The Ad­ vocate would arrive there first. Often we arrived at the busiest hour of the day when the mail was being sorted. •Some will r e m ember when James Beverley conducted a fur­ niture parlor on the ground floor of the old Gidley Opera House. His first motor hearse was quite an innovation. Al Hastings conducted a bar­ ber shop in the shop now occu­ pied by Elmore Harness. I drop­ ped in one evening to have a haircut. It was in the days be­ fore the electric clippers. Al clip­ ped and clipped away and it was some time before I realized that all was not well. He was a little incapacitated, a rare occasion for him. Past Grand Master Samuel Poplesone was a prom­ inent figure in Oddfellowship. He became Grand Master of the Order. He and Mr. Gardiner con­ ducted a general stere where Lindenfield Hardware is now lo­ cated. The firm later moved to Blyth. Another name to recall was Charles T* Brooks, who for many years wag the express agent in Sweeter and wrote some insurance on the side. He ' always had a pleasant disposition. His office was in the building now occupied as a barber shop by N. Hockey. Former Secretary Of Lodge A. E. Fuke was another prom­ inent Oddfellow’ as well as a prominent citizen, Mr. Fuke was secretary of the lodge for years and it was to his guardianship of the finances that the lodge was able to accumulate a size­ able nest-egg. Mr. Fuke was head of the Ross-Taylor Lumber Co. He served at different times on the council and the school board. When the school board about 1922 was faced with a new high school or an addition to the old public school for H. S. purposes there were two factions, one for the new school and the other for the addition. Public meetings were held, Mr. Fuke drew plans fop the addition and finally wpn. James Jewell was another fam­ iliar figure both" in the lodge and community. He was a mason by trade and worked on many of the brick buildings both in Ex­ eter and community. In his early days bricklayers were on the job at seven o’clock, no matter how far they had to drive. While waiting for the parade to start I noticed a couple of ladies decorating the grave of George Thomas. I enquired as to thejr relationship. They were the Pearson sisters, nieces from Lon­ don, who had come to Exeter for the occasion. “Mr. Thomas,” I said, “was a grand old man. He used to be my Sunday School teacher.” Mr. Thomas worked at the Harvey Bros, flour mill and did most of the delivering, He was one of the pillars of James St. Church and was a devout Christian. Many will recall his earnest prayers in the days when laymen took part in public ser­ vices. There were many more that I would like to mention and I may deal with them at a future date. NEW BARN? rke Reader Comments Letters to the editor published hereunder represent views of in­ dividual persons. We invite read­ ers to make use of this column. June 22, 1954 Exeter Times-Advocate, Town. Dear Sirs: The members of the Town Council wish to congratulate you on the awards you have received from the Weekly Newspaper As­ sociation for the outstanding quality of your paiier. Your paper is a credit to the Town as well as to yourselves. Plea&e allow me to add my personal congratulations. Yours truly, C. V. PICKARD, Town Clerk Smiles . Boss: How come you make so many outside calls during busi­ ness hours? Clerk: Why, they are business calls, sir. Boss: Well, don’t be calling all my clients “Sweetie-pie” then. L Is your herd outgrowing your present barn? Have you enough space to store the products of your farm? If not, perhaps you need a new barn, or aa extension to your present one. Don’t let a shortage of ready cash hold back your plans for a better farm — whether it’s a new barn or the renovation of your buildings generally. You can get money from the B of M through a Farm Improvement Loan — at low interest rates and on a repayment plan to suit your individual circumstances. Why not see your B of M manager this week? You will like his helpful approach to your plans. I*BANK matuiDiiaiUDUin FIL — the fixer. *, his full name is Farm Improve­ ment Loan. Give him a chance to help fix up your farm ... he’s eco­ nomical, conven­ ient, versatile. He can do almost anything in mak­ ing your farm a better farm, Exeter Branch: C. E. SHAW, Manager Centralia (Sub-Agency): Open Mon., Wed. & Fri. Grand Bend (Sub-Agency): open Tuesday & Thursday Crediton Branch: , RAYMOND KING, Manager (Open Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday) Dashwood (Sub-Agency): Open Mon., Wed. & Fri. Hensall Branch: WALTER JARRETT, Manager Lucan Branch: WESLEY PARKINSON, Manager WORKING WITH CANADIANS IN EVERY WALK OF LIFE SINCE 1817 . ................................. . 0-209 HYDRO Safety Department MW do you know? During 1953, fourteen Com- miMiion employees and three of their Wives wero awarded mfedala and certificates for rescue and resuscitation Work by the Canadian Electrical Association and National Safe­ ty Council. Information toncornliig Ontario Hydro tan bo obtained by writing toyouf Hydro Chairman, 620 Unlvorslty Avenue, Toronto. Savings Ontario Hydro has always recognized that safety devices alone do not eliminate acci­ dents. A special Safety Depart­ ment Carries out a continuing, Comprehensive, educational Safety program and in addition periodically checks equipment dnd reviews the safety methods employed in the Commission’s Widely diversified day-to-day Operations, The marked reduc­ tion in major and minor in­ juries to Hydro personnel is a Source of satisfaction and has materially assisted in maintain­ ing the high Standard of service associated with the name, ‘'Hydro.”