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Clinton News-Record, 1974-03-28, Page 44--c4.111TON ,11FW,$REQQR.D, THURSDAY, MARCH 29, 1974 from luxurg to necessitg Today, in this age of sqphisticated technology, we tend to take many things for granted that were once considered luxuries, Three of those things which we now consider necessities of life were once viewed as something only the rich could afford or something only the big towns or cities had. A constant source of energy, a plen- tiful supply of clear, pure drinking water and an adequate sewage treatment system are now considered as essen- tials in Clinton, but such was not always the case. When electricity was first introduced in Clinton, it was looked upon as a novelty, something that few used and a source of energy that just an auxiliary power supply to the coal-oil lamps, the wood stoves and the ice box. Today, nearly everyone depends on eleCtric power. It is always there' at the flick of a switch or working silently drying our clothes or freezing our meat. In fact, we have become so dependent on elec- tricity so much, that few of us could live for long without it. The same can be said for our water supply. It is always there, 24 hours a day, everyday of the year, all we can use.The supply is clean, pure and constant. It cleans our clothes, flushes our wastes away, and keeps our lawns green. Likewise, a sewage system, complete with a treatment plant is also an everyday thing. Without it, we. would soon choke in our own wastes. By adequately treating our wastes, it allows us to live in harmony with our environ- ment, giving us clean rivers and lakes. But none of the essentials mentioned above came easy. There was always a fight to get them, to keep them, and to maintain them. Take the case of the fight for water- 'works in Clinton. By reading the history of the fight to get a water system in Clin- ton, it is easy to see now that it was very shortsighted of the people to vote against it as they did some 70 years ago. They couldn't see the'worth of having a constant supply of fresh, clean water, Letters to the editor not only for drinking, but also for fire fighting. But a disastrous fire in May of 1907 changed their minds quickly, More than 24 buildings in Clinton caught fire and had there been a waterworks system, frost of those buildings could have been saved. Most people today shudder at the thought of there not being any fire hydrants, but such was not always the case, So down through the years, the Clin- ton ,Public Utilities Commission has been working hard for the local citizens. During the last 60 years, there have been only four superintendents, or managers, good proof that they must be devoted people. All of the merribers on the present PUC have served at least ten years. Charles Brown has been a member without interruption for 20 years, Hal Hartley has been on for 19 years, An- toine (Red) Garon has served 17 years, and John Wise has put in ten years, Mayor Don Symons, as a member ex- officio, has served ten years. All must take satisfaction in their work or why would they continue to serve? As. most readers will see, there have been many changes in the last 60 years. From a very humble beginning, the Clin- ton PUC has grown into a full-time people server that is there at a citizen's beckoning, day and night, every day of the year. The PUC has been the subject of much controversy in the past 60 years, judging by the its history, but undoub- tedly, many of the things it and the Town council fought for were for the good of the people. And there can also be little doubt that in the years to come, there will be more controversies, but because the PUC is elected by the people for the people, all problems will invariably be worked out, one way or another. With a strong PUC, it isn't hard to see that Clinton is a much better place to live than it would be if none existed. Progress comes to people who are progressive and the future augurs good for Clinton. And the PUC in part has made that possible. The Jack Scott Column NM MO RUC get letter Sugar and Spice/By Bill Smiley Second trip in 30 years From our early files . • • 0 • • • Mianbors Canadian Community Newspaper dao6clation Ilforiiirr Onto* Was* Ode Altatiallition 'TIlE GUNTON NEW ERA Eslalylishod .1865 Amalgamated 1924 'MI AN COM THE HURON NEWS-RECORD Established 11181 Clinton News Zeco-16(1 Published every ThUrsday at Clinton, Ontario Editor James E. Pitsgerald Oral Manager' J. Howard Althea atocond mhu man leirlitIon no. 01117 C* MAO' COUNTY Thanks a thousand aircrew members, such as radio officers and radio navigators who are trained at Clinton RCAF Station. Preliminary organization of the Clinton Community Hall and Memorial Arena Committee took place at a meeting in the Town Hall last evening, when a full discussion of the proposed campaign for funds for this pur- pose was held. It, was decided to hold another meeting in the Ton Council Chamber tomorrow evening to make arrangements for a canvass for funds in town and district, Work commenced today in Clinton in connection with the decision of the Town Council to proceed with the permanent paving of a section of the local streets. Levis Contracting Co., Clinton will do the work, With the recovery of a num- ber of sticks of dynamite and detonators from a group of Goderich school boys, provin- cial police have concluded in- vestigation of the removal of the explosives from a shack near the harbor. There were no charges laid in connection with the case but the parents of the boys involved have been ad- vised. Telephone users of Bayfield are now, making their calls through their ow' central ex- change. The new operators are Miss Ann Tart, Miss Ella McKay, and Mrs. Malcom Toms, chief operator. 50 YEARS AGO March 27, 1925 The mortgage sale held at the Rattenbury Hotel on Satur- day did not get a high enough bidder and was not sold. However, there are several who would like to purchase it, A former Huron County girl born near Brucefield, IOW H. ,.'Caroline Macdonald, has received the Order of the 'Sacred Treasure sixth class for her work in aid of the stricken Japanese ago. the Tokyo ear- Dear Editor, It is quite obvious you are familiar with the principles of pyschology. The placement of the questionnaire adds credibility to this conclusion. You have attempted to cir- cumvent the real issue in your article of February 28, 1974. Why have the top two floors of the Town Hall been "allowed to fall into a state of nearly total disrepair"? Has.the town council permit- ted this deterioration to con- tinue as an excuse to force the construction of a new building? Your article indirectly im- plies that a new building is necessary because of the prohibitive cost of renovation or preservation. Seemingly your "dedicated" Council needs to be reminded they were elected to serve the people. The ratepayers cannot Canadians, weary of winter, are taking advantage of the school winter break in ever- increasing numbers to get away from the true north, strong and freezing. Colleagues casually mention that they're off to the Carib- ' bean or Mexico or the Canary Islands or some such exotica. It's considered passe these days to go merely to Florida. Students will be descending in throngs on places like Athens, Rome, Paris, London. Chief reason is that air travel is no longer for the rich only. Package deals and charter flights put a mid-winter break within reach of us ordinary Joes. A friend of Mine, for exam- ple, is going with his wife for a week in the Channel Islands, those tiny bits between England and Prance. Air fare is only $209 each, return. And do you know what they're paying for a hotel room with bath, and three meals a day? Twenty- eight lousy pounds a week, because it's the off season. That is about &i bucks. They couldn't stay home for much less, Well, I'm not one for skulking off to the south and leaving other Canadians to stiffer. 'I had a choice. I could go over to set Grandad, or fly to Germany for a few days, Pree, It's not that I don't respect and admire my father« in.law, but for some reason chose Germany. • afford a new building, especially after an exorbitant increase in sewage disposal costs. Why have you not taken time• to criticize council for its laxity' in sidewalk maintenance? Is it not one obligation of a local Dear Editor: Whenever $2,000 is raised it involVes a lot of work. The Centennial Band's Skate-A- Thon on March 19 was no ex- ception. Without the skaters, sponsors, willing mothers, who provided refreshments and a co-Operative arena staff, it could nOt have been done. The committee wishes to express it s heartfelt thanks to all con- cerned. Twenty-seven youngsters (and oldsters too) skated the full six hours. Prize money will I hope I get a better reception than I did last time I visited that country. Last time I ventured into Germany was almost thirty years ago. There was a fairly large and assorted company in the group I travelled with: privates, corporals, sergeants and one Flying Officer—me. We had no trouble getting into Germany, even though we had no passports. Perhaps it was because of the efficiency of our tour guides. There were eight of them, and . they 'were extremely attentive. They would even accompany one when one had to relieve oneself. The guides were tastefully arrayed in field-gray, and had similar accessories—guns. I can't kick, however, I'll bet I was the only P.O.W. who rode across the German border on a bicycle. I couldn't walk because of a well-aimed kick on the kneecap, and they were sure as hell not going to carry me, so they let me ride one of their bikes. never forget the ,Iirst, place we stayed at, in Germany. It was my first taste of that old- World charm. It lacked a few of the amenities we spoiled North, Americans are accustomed to, but it had a quaintness all its own. It was a barn. There was nobody there but us chickens, the cattle, and the tour gUides. At that, it was practically cosy after a couple of weeks living in a box-car, in Holland. • news paper'to show concern for the Welfare of the general public; residents and visitors alike? I was a recent visitor. Respectfully Mrs. Jack Wilson Port Rowan, Ontario. be. divided among the winners when all monies have been collected. Additional funds have been added to prizes for the 12- and 13 year olds since many com- pleted the endurance test. One of the most important prizes will be to the person who had 'the most sponsors who honour their obligations. Truly the blades of some will make music for many. Yours thankfully, The Clinton Centennial Band It was a mite chilly, being November, but we paired off and curled up in the hay, like so many sets of spoons. I drew a big, ugly Canadian private from St. Catharines with a bullet wound in his neck which stank a bit. But he was warm. One of our next stops was the delightful old city of Brun- swick, where we spent an en- chanting three hours in the air raid shelter, during a raid. It was worth it. The German equivalent of Red Cross ladies gave us coffee, ersatz but hot, the first hot drink we'd,had for days. Some other highlights of my visit were: the interrogation centre and "solitary" near. Frankfort; rolling on a train through a night attack on Leip- zig, windows shattering, flares and bonibs falling; a look from a train at the appalling rubble of Hamburg; hitch-hiking back from deep inside the Russian lines to Rostock; a visit to the concentration camp at Celle. This visit eouldn't be more interesting, but it should be more comfortable. I'm not going by bicycle, but by jet. And my kid brother, the Colonel, is over there, , didn't know enough to get out of the air force, and has nothing to look forward to but a big, fat pen- sion any day now, But he'd bets ter have the band out, the red carpet down, and the lieb- fratimileh laid on, or he's in deep trouble. The peeper I have been brooding about the man who walked south on Main Street yesterday at ap- proximately ten past two in the afternoon. He was about 40 years of age, wore a grey, lightweight tweed coat and a grey, snap-brim fedora, He appeared to be ner- vous., Once he stopped and bent to lace his shoe, an operation which took him an unreasonable length of time. He lit a cigaret arid threw it away after a few quick puffs. At one time he walked briskly, purposefully, then he slowed and almost stopped, as it -he .might-turn. He appeared to b debating with himself about something, then strode up the steps of' the Young Women's- Christian Association, and disappeared inside. I never saw him come out. I have been brooding, too, about the young and attractive', woman who stood on that in- tersection with a small boy dressed in very new small boy's clothes. At approximately 3::30 p.m. she was approached by an elderly gentleman with a 10 YEARS AGO March 26, 1964 Progressive Conservative leader Dohn Diefenbaker, who is also leader of the Opposition, will, open the Clinton Spring Fair on rMay 30th. Ed Wise of RR 3 Clinton was elected president of the Huron County Fruit Growers Association in Clinton on Tuesday. He succeeds Don Middleton of RR 3, Clinton, The Clinton Public Hospital received word this week that they have received a $13,009.20 grant from the Ontario Govern- ment to help pay for the recent addition. The board of Central Huron Secondary School approved a budget of $176,848 On Monday. This up $258,685 from last year, The county rate for this year will remain 'at 14 mills-six for general purposes and eight for roads-if County Coun- cil adopts the budget presented by clerk-treasurer John G,' Berry at the opening of the 'March session. Thirty couples of the Wheel `ri' Dealers Square Dance Club graduated last Saturday night in a ceremony at CHM If the weather remains favorable, area golfers can get their clubs out of mothballs and head out for the Clinton- Bayfield Golf course this Weekend. Fred Hulls reported this week the course would be open and he and his staff have already started getting the nine-hole layout into shape. 25 YEARS AGO March 31 4 1949 The RCAF pauses on April 1, 1949 to note the Silver Jubilee of Canada's youngest fightinF service and to look back over 25 yrs of accomplishments in peace and war that have helped to gain recognition for Canada around the globe, 'The peacetitne RCAF is busy training new pilots and other and swept them down into the crowded street below. And suddenly I was seeing the city as I'd never seen it before. The binoculars refine the thick and hurrying mobs to individuals, bringing them into your room, so that it becomes an absorbing and theatrical experience to frame any one person in the powerful lens and follow him in his lonely way through the• throng. When I had wearied of the street scene (though keeping a vigilance on the YWCA) I 'tur- ned my all-revealing gaze upon the cliffside of . the Medical- Dental. Building and a hupdred vignettes of Misery. Together a solicitous dentist and I peered gravely into the mouth of a nervous patient and I watched with a morbid in- terest as the shiny drill was lowered inexorably upon the molar. The binoculars brought it all so close that I could almost feel the first bite into the enamel. • Two floors below a doctor was extracting blood from a plump woman's generous arm, thquake last September, Miss Macdonald is the daughter* of the late Dr. Peter Macdonald, former M.P. for East Huron, and Deputy Speaker of the House of Com, mons from 1901-1904. As high an authority as Hon Mr. Crerar says the average far mer is paying 70 per cent more for his goods today while for his produce he only gets 13 per cent more than in 1913. This is a bad effect on agriculture and chases many a young man off the farm. To lower the cost of production is the cure. Those who came up Matilda Street in Little England held a bee last Friday and cleaned off the sidewalk, Many workers made light work. Many of the sidewalks are bare but there are others with high embankments, that have not decreased a great deal yet. 75 YEARS AGO March 304. 1899 "Strong resolutions of cen sure upon the Laurier Govern. . ment for its breach of faith it talking animatedly as he did so. He handed the vial to a nurse and she walked over to the window and shook the blood. up and down while gazing into the street below, watching a fire truck go screaming by. When the plump woman had left, the nurse put her feet up on the doctor's desk and they lit cigarets. Oh, what goes on behind the scenes! What tales the binoculars could tell! • I suppose I'd have spent the entire afternoon this way, but for .an amazing coincidence. I had swung the glasses up to the very highest floor of the Medical-Dental ,Building arid there, in an office, stood a man. He had a gigantic pair of binoculars to his eyes and we were looking at each other, the chasm of the street narrowed to a matter of inches. I could see the surprise in his face as he doubtless saw it in mine, the embarrassment of two sneaks caught in the act. My wife returned at that moment, looking ravishing. I pulled down the blind and went to greet her. regard to prohibition have been passed by the temperance organizations of several coun- ties. What about Huron?". Headline of the paper. Orders are pouring in to Jackson Bros from various points in Ontario' and Manitoba and their tailoring staff, now numbering twenty- seven, has been working over- time. An uncle of Mr. Kirby, the baker, died in Australia recen- tly and left 'over a million of money but ,neither family nor' will. It is understood that the Kirbys have a very good claim to share in 'the estate, Almost an average of a carload per day of organs have been shipped to Liverpool thig %At week by W. Doherty and Eph. Evans, an unfortunate from Goderich Township, was admitted to the House of Refuge oh Tuesday. The News-Record is being recognized as the spiciest local paper in Huron County. Heritage conservation Dear Editor: Heritage conservation in Canada is long overdue, though now a national trust has been established and legislation has been passed• or is being con- sidered in several provinces. It is a national effort to stern the needless loss of what is good from our past. It means the preservation of the work of map and of nature which reflects the excellence of Canadian achievement. It in- cludes beautiful buildings as well as Canada's natural beauty which have survived into our time. In this regard, what have we done in Clinton? We have sub- stituted modern and ugly buildings for the old and beautiful. We have needlessly cut down some of our trees in the name of progress. We have torn the ivy from many of our churches and buildings. We have destroyed beauty spots which could have been preser- ved at little expense. We are all to.,blatne--if not actively, then by our apathy and indifference. Let us, therefore, preserve what we have left and retain our old and beautiful Victorian buildings. Let us follow the lead of Heritage Canada in its great endeavour' to preserve and save old buildings of merit and natural landscapes for the enjoyment of present and future Canadians. Sincerely, Mrs. E.D. Fingland, Clinton Punish owners Dear Editor: The article in your paper of this week (March 14) re the hiring of an animal control of- ficer has prompted this letter. I am not a resident of Clin- ton, but am familiar with the problem of dogs running at large from many years lived in London. The City of London found that this matter is best handled by animal control of- ficers and not the police, and that is why that City turned the job over to the London Humane Society, which has an excellent shelter and personnel trained for that work. Dogs should not be punished for behaving as dogs. Rather the owners should assume the responsibility for their pets by buying licenses and keeping them at home. Some years ago, there was discussion between the Ontario Humane Society and Municipalities of this area regarding a county shelter for animals with animal control of- ficers working from it. 'This would have provided a centre to which stray or lost animals could be taken by concerned people who often find dogs and cats, expecially in the.autumn when the summer people have departed leaving the animals behind. However, these talks did not end in agreement and the mat- ter was dropped. A com- munity's image is not improved by shooting dogs whose only crime is that they have no home. Therefore, I submit that if the Animal Control Officer is humanely minded and the animals housed in proper con- dition, this method of control is far better 'than expecting the police to do a job for which they are not trained, Mrs. Audrey Graham, Bayfield military moustache. They ap- peared to introduce themselves. They shook hands. Then the old man bent down low to the small boy, took him impulsively in his arms and kissed him. Whatever happened to the man in the grey coat? Is he still in the YWCA? What was the story of the old man and the small boy? Was he the wealthy old grandfather at last recognizing the girl from the other side of the tracks who had married his son? That's the trouble with. spen- ding an afternoon as a Peeping Tom, as I did yesterday. There are a million sturies,,but none,. Vthem has a beginning or an end. 1,, did not plan the afternoon in this fashion. It just - tio hap- pened that . I was in an eleventh-storey room of the hotel, my wife. was two hours late from her rendezvous with a man named Patrick, who does things to women's hair,' and had the binoculars. I had settled. myself in an easy chair by the window, a pleasant place in the sun with a cool breeze, raised the glasses