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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Exeter Times-Advocate, 1956-01-26, Page 1000 Fires of number $8,000 stock of FURNITURE—While Exeter firemen fought the Kirkton blaze from extended- ridge just theat BEND WINTER RESORT?—An experiment to show wheels re- T-A Photos board. about 100 feet high runs average about Marshall, owner of the store, said Wednesday was not as great as he caused extensive interior of the named against for three been com- travelled hills own runs lacked of the I.O.O.F. and served two Grand. He farm­ township before at Walker Woods, south of the summer Price Per Copy TWO FIRES CAUSE $30,000 DAMAGE—Fires in Kirkton and Stephen township caused ■considerable damage to a general store and destroyed a barn this past week. The picture .shows the heavy‘smoke which poured from the store of Lorne Marshall, Kirkton, Friday when it caught fire after a blow-torch exploded in the basement. The two brigades seen above are from St. Marys and Mitchell; the Exeter fire department operated from the other side. The second fire destroyed the bank barn of Louis Masnica, R.R. 2 Crediton. NEIGHBOURS SAVE FURNITURE—While Exeter firemen fought the Kirkton blaze from the roof of the store, neighbours removed furniture, fixtures and clothing from the second storey where living quarters are located. Firemen chopped holes in the ice covering a aiearby river and pumped water ihto the build ing. —T-A Photos Six Vie For Hensail Seats, Employee Opposes Boss In marked contrast to the No­ vember elections when a second nomination was needed to fill seats, Hensail now has six can­ didates running for two council positions in the special election -caused by the death of Reeve William Parke. The election surprise has seve­ ral unusual twists; a man who declined to run for. council in ■November is now campaigning for reeve and an employee is op­ posing his boss in the four-way •contest for -a single council seat. Despite the flock of candidates, ithere doesn’t appear to be any tbig issue at stake, on the surface sat least, and none of the men are actively campaigning. Brother On Council David R. Sangster, who served his first year on council in 1955 hut declined to stand again this year, has reversed his decision and is now opposing veteran Councillor Norman H. Jones in his fjrst bid foV the reeve’s chair. Councillor Jones, who has served Since 1948, resigned liis council seat to be eligible for reeve. Candidate Sangster, whose brother Jim was elected to his seat when he resigned, is chair­ man of the parks board and deputy-chief of the fire brigade. ^He is a past president of the Legion and a member of the Recreation Council. He, is a con­ tractor. Norman Jones, also a contrac­ tor, has served on the (arena and Miss Joan Thomson, to# grad­ uate and queen ofSHLHS last year, has been awarded a $4t00 bursary from the Atkinson Foun­ dation, Toronto, it was announ­ ced this week. Miss Thomson, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Leslie Thomson, ■enrolled In MacDonald. Hall, Guelph, last fall and at Christ­ mas exams topped her class of ■44, park boards and is a former member of the Chamber of Com­ merce. He was District Deputy Grand Master lodge last year terms as Noble ed in Stanley moving to Hensail 13 years ago. The four running for council Huron Grant Aids Scheme Huron County council’s en­ dorsement of a $500 grant to­ wards the Upper Grand Develop­ ment Association almost insures 100 percent participation from this area in the^-regional indus­ tries promotion plan, R. iD. Jer- myh, .president of the county board- said this week. “With county council's support? I think pur objective ‘is in the paign. Exeter is the only town Most urban municipalities in Huron have still to contribute towards the .scheme but Mr. Jer­ myn is confident that the coun­ ty's approval will spark the cam­ paign. Exeter is the onlyi town in Huron which ihas agreed to Contribute its share so far. Six Cents Per Capita Each urban centre is asked to donate six cents per capita to­ wards the scheme, Ill Exeter’s case, this amounts to $165. Huron is one of four counties in the Upper Grand,Development Association. Reports froth the other three, /Wellington, Water­ loo and Perth, indicate they are behind the promotional plan. The objective is to raise $15,- 000 which, with a matching grant from the province, will finance ah industrial campaign with a full- time director. a Organization meeting of the Association is slated for New Hamburg In February, The regional plan is sponsored by the provincial government and nd there are six others alredy op- ganized and operating In On- tario. seats are Edward W. Fink, head of a plumbing and heating firm; Thomas G. Lavender, a garage operator; John A. Henderson, a produce dealer; and Robert J. McKenzie, who works for Fink. Election day is Monday, Janu­ ary 30. Clerk-treasurer James A. Paterson will be returning of­ ficer. The nominations, made Friday night, were: For reeve: David Sangster by Ed Fink and/ Tom Lavender; Norman Jones, by Lome Luker •and W. O. Goodwin. For council: Ed Fink by D. •Sangster and James Sangster; Tom Lavender by Ed Fink and D'. Sangster; John Henderson by W. O. Goodwin and Lome Luker; Robert J. McKenzie by W. J. ■Cameron and D. Sangster. Take Ballots To Voters In Huron Park Election By ROBT. HEVIPFEN Even if they wish to do so, voters of, Huron Park, the mar­ ried quarters sections at RCAF Station Centralia,, will have a* difficult time getting out of cast­ ing a vote in the, February 3 election for the new town coun­ cil. During the supper period, five to seven o’clock, returning of­ ficers carrying a ballot box will knock on every door in the area. Residents will be given a voting slip with the names of font1 "peo­ ple who have boon nominated in their ward and asked to check' off two names. Huron Park has a population of 1,8 00 people and the chief returning officer, oFlt. Lt. D. A. White, has predicted another 97 per cent vote this year. “We are after 100 per cent vote but that is a little difficult because of people on leave or employed On essential jobs?’ Election officials are bueiiy counting nomination foi* the Six Eighty-Second Year EXETER, ONTARIO THURSDAY MORNING, JANUARY M 1956 Family At Supper When Blaze Starts Louis Masnica, of R.R. 2 Crediton, a man who appears to be dogged by ill luck, suffered ■an $11,000 loss Sunday night when his recently remodelled bank barn burned to the ground. The Stephen township farmer, whose leg was amputated several years ago following a barn ac­ cident near Exeter, lost 21 pigs, a calf, colt, farm machinery, grain and hay in the blaze. Twenty-eight head of cattle and a team of horses escaped. Part of the loss is covered by insurance. The Masnica family was eating supper when the fire broke out in the loft of the barn about 5 p.m. Sunday, No cause of the blaze lias been established. Neighbours rushed to the scene to fight the fire but lack of wateij handicapped them. They managed* to get most of the live­ stock out of the barn. Animals Escape One baby beef and the team of horses were frightened out of the building when the roof fell in. Dashwood and Crediton brig­ ades raced to the farm but they had to be content with watching nearby buildings to prevent them catching fire. Masnica, described by neigh­ bours as an industrious farmer, had spent considerable money re­ pairing and remodelling the 6 Ox 60 barn. .He re-wired it this year and it had been inspected re­ cently. The Masnica family moved to the farm, op the seventh conces­ sion of Stephen, in 1946 When if was purchased from the 'late Peter Martene. There are five ■children, Donald, Grace, Marlene, Lloyd and Ray. The owner’s ■brother, Joe Masnica, formerly of 'Pennsylvania, lives with them, Winter Sports Haven In New Pinery Park? An experiment to show that Grand, Bend and the Pinery .can offer excellent facilities for win­ ter sports as well as summer re­ creation appears_to be proving successful five miles resort. On an east of the Bluewater Highway, Owner Fred C. Walker .has clear­ ed four ski hills, erected a tow and clubhouse for enthusiastics of the fast-growing snow sport. The hills had their first big day Sunday when 35 carloads of skiers tested them for several hours during the afternoon. Mem­ bers of clubs in .Sarnia, Windsor and London travelled to the Lake Huron hills whenx they found their snow. The hill is and the four one-quarter mile. They all circle 'into- a central point where the tow is located. Powered By Tractor The tow, designed by Mr. Wal­ ker who owns and operates the Oakwood Golf Course at Grand Bend is powered by one of the tractors used to maintain the links during the warm months. The two rear tires of the mach­ ine are replaced by large pulleys which drive an 800-foot, endless rope around another pulley at the top of the hill. The tow was first established last year after one run was clear­ ed. Three more runs have been added this fall. ‘ wands. Nominations are handled in the same way as the actual voting. Officials knocked on every door with a nominal roll ward and room for Of every one in their nominating slips with four names. Nominating roturns of the six wards have___ ____ pleted. Residents turning in slips an the completed wards fore­ cast a 98 percent nomination re­ turn. Although the council for Huron Park collects no taxes, funds for the active summer pro­ gram are raised though bingoes and dances. The incoming coun­ cil this year is going to com­ plete the drive for funds to build a wading pool for many young­ sters in the married qnartors. ■Council will also have'to lay plans for the swimming instruc­ tion program -that was started last summer in which 300 child­ ren passed swimming tests. The six parks, complete with sand pits, swings, slides and Town council postponed grant­ ing a building permit Monday night after hearing a formal com­ plaint that it wasn’t giving citi­ zens the protection they should expect from its building by-law, C. V. Laughton, of the legal .firm of Bell and Laughton, told council it had failed to carry out the .provision of its own by-law and that it failed to enforce the regulations it contains. Acting for himself, Mr. Laugh­ ton complained specifically against the granting of a permit to Mrs. Arthur Whilsmith, of William St., for erection of a house beside Laughton on Ed­ ward Street. At the same time, he appealed for stricter enforcement Of the act as a protection for all citizens in the town. “I maintain the people of this Council Declines Free Beverage Exeter Council declined free ■refreshments Monday night. ■ Councillor R. C. Dinney dis­ covered two newspaper-wrap­ ped articles in one of the draw­ ers of the long conference table in tlie chambers. While other members watched, he opened the parcels. Both contained a bottle of beer. " “Probably exhibit one in the bootlegging case last week”, remarked Councillor Dinney as he mapped the bottles and stuffed them back in the draw­ er. Keenly interested in the devel­ opment of recreation facilities along the lakesliore and promo­ tion of the tourist area, Mr. Wal­ ker constructed the ski hills “to show the possibilities for winter sports in the Pinery.” He sug­ gested that when the government ■takes over the Lake Huron .tract, it could establish ski hills along the same ridge for the recreation of people in .this area. “There are unlimited oppor­ tunities for development of the park,” Mr. Walker believes. “The old river bed would make a won­ derful outdoor skating rink.” He thinks .the skiing may be better in the Pinery than in other spots in this area. “iBe- cau.se of the woods, I think we’ll have more snow than other are- es”, he said. Besides skiers, a number of young toboggan owners enjoyed the hills on Sunday. There was a continual stream of spectators. HS Students Planning Trip This year, SHDHS senior stud­ ents will have the enviable oppor­ tunity of taking an educational tour to Washington, D.C. Thirty four students and six chaperons will make the trip that takes them to one of the world’s great capitals. Already the bus has been chartered and hotel accom­ modation arranged. Tour plans 'include a visit to the White House, the 'Capitol buildings, Lincoln’s Tomb, Wash­ ington Memorial, Arlington, Mount Vernon an<^ the Smithson­ ian Institute. Many will attend Easter Services at the .Cathedrals or at First Presbyterian Church on Pennsylvania Avenue. / To Take Speedway Students will leave Maundy Thursday evening and return late Easter Monday. The route to be followed is to Buffalo, then to Baltimore and via.the speedway to Washington. On January >28, the young tourists are holding a bake sale in the public library to help raise funds. Donations from service clubs and “businessmen are being re­ ceived by Miss Lauretta Seigner and Mr. C. Porter, both on the High School staff. games, will have to be readied and supervisors employed for the big opening early in .the summer. The two ice rinks now in use on the school grounds was a council project that was whole- heatedly endorsed by every per­ son who could don skates. On February 3 at 7 p.m., re- -—Please turn to Page 10 ■town are entitled to the protec­ tion this by-law gives them. If not, this legislation is just a farce on the books of the muni­ cipality.” Mrs. Whilsmith asked council’s permission to erect a 24x15 base­ mentless house of cement blocks on the east side of Edward street, just south of Laughton’s home. Estimated cost of the house was $7,000 'and the contractor named was her husband, who built the Laughton home and a of Oithers in town. Lists Objections ‘Among the objections >by the " Exeter lawyer granting the permit were: 1. He had an option on the property and had not been given an opportunity to exercise it. 2. He had an agreement with Whilsmith which placed certain restrictions on the location of a house on that lot and the stakes laid out for the building violate those restrictions. 3. Drawing and specifications of the house had not" been sub­ mitted to council as required by ■the by-law. Laughton claimed.. that • the town’s by-law, passed in 1946, provides that no permit shall be >. f •/ ' 's’y’' J •... GRAND that Grand Bend and the Pinery can offer excellent facilities for winter as well as summer recreation is proving successful in Walker Woods, about five miles south of the summer resort. Owner Fred C. Walker, who operates Oakwood golf course and subdivision during the summer, has cleared four ski hills, and erected a tow and log cabin clubhouse. Mr. and Mrs. C. Van Laughton, Exeter, were among the 35 carloads of skiers and spectators who visited the hills Sunday. tractor,TRACTOR POWERS TOW—A farm placed with large pulleys, supplies the power for the tow at *Walker Ski Hills near Grand Bend. An 800-foot endless rope is driven around another pulley at the top of the hill and skiers grab the travelling rope to pull themselves up a slide. Bill Maybe, Exeter, starts on the climb as other young skiers approach it. r' ‘ granted for the construction a 'building which would violate any restriction or regulation im­ posed upon the property by any deed, covenant or registered agreement. 'Clerk C. V, Pickard confirmed this. The lawyer said that when he purchased his house from Whil-> smith they entered into an agree­ ment which gave him option to buy the adjacent lot, If the lot has been sold to Mrs. Whilsmith, as ‘the permit suggested, this violated the terms of the option, he said. He read to council a number of provisions from an agreement he claimed was signed by Whil­ smith which would be violated if the proposed building were con­ structed. He indicated to council that if the permit was granted, he was prepared to take court action against the municipality. Laughton charged that coun­ cil has never appointed a build­ ing inspector as the by-law re­ quires and that this should be done to ensure adequate con­ struction standards. “We don’t want Exeter to be­ come a shack town,” he said. The lawyer maintained that a Please Turn to Page 10 Revised •estimates of damage caused by two major fires in the district this week show the com­ bined loss at over $30,000, Barn, implements, livestock and grain lost by Louis Masnica, R.R. 2 Crediton, have been val­ ued at $11,000. Damage to the Marshall store at Kirkton has been set at $20,0'00. * The two fires were among a numbei' which broke out in West­ ern Ontario during the week- Other blazes occurred at Wing­ ham, Goderich, Seaforth and London. Lome Kirkton damage first expected. He plans to begin repairs to the store .as soon as insurance valuators complete their estimates. In both district fires, neigh­ bours helped to -move contents,. In the barn fire, men freed over 20 head of Livestock, in the Kirk-^ ton blaze, neighbours carried out furniture and clothing from the smoke-filled building. Three Brigades Save Building Fire -brigades from three neighboring towns joined forces Friday afternoon to save the combined store and house of Lorne Marshall at the main in­ tersection of Kirkton. The brigades, Exeter, Mitchell and (St. iMarys, chopped holes in the ice covering the nearby river to pump water on the smoulder­ ing blaze -which damage to the building. Most of the , . hardware and groceries in the store was destroyed and the in­ terior of the 40x60 'brick 'build­ ing was left in ruins by the smoke, fire and water. The blaze started from a -gas explosion in the tinsmithing shop in the 'basement where owner Marshall was working. Torch Explodes “I was doing some soldering work when the torch ran* out of gas,” Mr. Marshall said. “When I went to fill it, the -gas blew up in my face.” “I don’t know how I managed to escaped .being burned but I kicked the torch over and went into the other room to get a bomb. I threw two or three of those fire bombs at-it but they seemed to make it g8 even worse. By the time I ran upstairs and told the girls to get out, I couldn’t get back for smoke.” In the store at the time were Mrs. Marshall, two year old son Bobby Marshall, and part-time clerk Mrs. Christine Eveleigh. The young boy had just come downstairs from his afternoon nap. The other boys, 'Bill and Ron were attending school time. A five-year old dog, the family, suffocated smoke upstairs. Operators Sound Alarm Telephone operators Marjorie Atthill and Mrs. Mary Shawblaw sounded the alarm on the party lines and neighbours rushed to the scene. They were able to save most of the furniture -but couldn’t get into the store be­ cause of the heavy smoke. The store has been owned by Lorne Marshall for 11 years. He is the.third .generation Marshall to be connected with the busi­ ness; it was formerly called Shier and Marshall. Mr. Marshall's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ira -Marshall, are in Florida on holidays. Most of the fire was at the rear of the building. Fireman battled it from the sides and the roof for two hours until they had it under control. It broke out again after some of the fire­ men left but was quickly exting- uised. Mr. Marshall said the loss was partially covered iby insurance. of the Expect Decision On Gov't Grants Outcome of the Ausable River Conservation Authority’s plea for higher provincial grants towards construction of the $140,000 Mor­ rison dam in Usborne township is expected to be revealed at the annual meeting of the Authority in Parkhlll Wednesday, February 8. Officials of the Authority and representatives from Exeter and Usborne interviewed the Depart­ ment of Planning and Develop­ ment in December and asked the government to assume a larger share than the 37 and One-half percent already committed. The government’s answer should be rbady soon, according to officials. Other major items on the agen­ da of the Authority meeting will be election of officers, setting of the 195® budget, and establish­ ment of an historic sites advisory