Loading...
The Wingham Advance-Times, 1954-02-24, Page 1With which is amalgamated the Gorrie Vidette and Wroxeter News Subscriptions $2.50 per year, 6c per copy WINGHAM, ONTARIO, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 24th, 1954 Second Mile Club Going Concern TALKING ABOUT SNOW—Away back too far for any of the A-T staff to remember, an older citizen of town tells us that about fifty years ago most of the railways of Western Ont­ ario were blocked. For instance, Owen Sound didn’t have a train for 21 days, Kincardine for 18 days, Southampton for 11 days. So cheer up. Perhaps the worst is yet to come. 0 - 0 - BIRDS AND BEASTS—With the approach of spring the Main Drag is taking on the appearance of a zoo­ logical gardens, what with the live­ stock in the windows. On one Side of the street, the Easter bunnies are liv.- ening up a store window, while livq chicks are gracing the other side. And Easter’s a month and a half away! 0-0-0 HAIL AND FAREWELL—Joe Kerr, who arrived back on Monday from a month’s stay in Florida, didn’t stay in town for long. On Tuesday he was away again—this time to the Good Roads Convention in Toronto. 0-0-0 READERS WRITE—A letter to the editor in last week’s paper, asking for information regarding Henry Jackson, a secretary of Louis Riel, brought a gratifying response for Miss Mary Duff, the writer. She has already re­ ceived about half a dozen letters con­ taining information about Mr. Jack- son. And our ads are just as effective. 0-0-0 WHERE’S THE FIRE?—The Main Drag of Walkerton might have been mistaken for its counterpart in Wing­ ham on Saturday night, the night of the Hartley House fire. There were so many Winghamites there, everybody felt quite at home. Traffic coming back after the conflagration was heavy, too. There’s talk of forming a club of fire reel followers. A suggested name was the Siren-aders. 0-0-0 OPEN SEASON?—Citizens of town were surprised to see a deer walking up John Street towards the school one day last week. While applauding any desire for learning, we doubt if he found accommodation, what with the overcrowding there. n - q . o * LOST AND FOUND—Latest addit­ ion to the A-T Lost and Found de­ partment is not displayed in the win­ dow; consisting as it does of one large overshoe, with the name “L. Murray’’' in it. Also on hand are two pairs of mitts, 6 odd assorted mitts and gloves, 4 single earrings, one brooch and sev­ eral keys, singly and in 'groups. ■Ml :: 1 ■1 The Second Mile Club, which was formed almost a year ago, has been a going concern all this time. Boasting a membership of over thirty, the club1 meets every Wednesday night in the council chambers for a friendly get- together and a game of euchre. Above, four of the original members of the club show their skill at euchre, while fellow members look on. Left to right, seated, are: Mrs, M. Bell, Mrs. P. King, Mrs. M..Dodd and Mrs. P. Gowans. Standing, left to right are: Mrs. Jean Crump, Mrs. George Kerr, Mrs. A. McLean, Mrs. F. McCormick, Mrs. J. Mitchell, Mrs. Robert Campbell and Mrs. Charles Carter. —Staff Photo. ■ > -■ DR. E. W. BRADWIN DIES IN TORONTO A former resident of Wingham, Dr. , Edmund W. Bradwin, principal of Frontier College, and a man whose life was devoted to the cause of edu­ cation, died at his home in Toronto on Friday, He was 76. A pioneer of adult education, Dr. Edmund W. Bradwin has been active­ ly connected with Frontier College for fifty years. Through this half century he has been largly responsible for shaping the efforts and objectives of the labourer-teachers at work on the frontiers among migratory men across Canada. Born in Lynden, Ontario, April 24th, 1877, Edmund Bradwin spent most of his boyhood and young manhood in Wingham, where he obtained his pri­ mary and secondary education, and all through the years the Wingham friends have meant much to him. After preparation in Harriston and Stratford, Dr. Bradwin taught a graded country school for five years, a vocation that was a delight to him. His savings over that period went to furthering his education, but he fell short of the requirements for his course and was turned down by a uni- (Continued on Page Twelve) —Mr. and Mrs. Hector Purdon and family, of Sarnia, spent the week-end at the home of his brother, Mr. Athol Purdon, Victoria St. NO CANVASS FOR KREGAR FUND The amount of money on hand in the Kregar Fund has reached a most encouraging total. The committee in charge of the fund had intended' to close it at the end of the week, but at that time it was learned that several who intended to donate had not done so. The committee asks that those in­ tending to' assist the. fund remember that there will be no canvass. If you wish to help along please turn your contribution in at The Advance-Times office. If, for any reason you cannot do so, please call 34, and it will be picked up. You are again requested to act this week., Wingham afternoon town the of received I he was the Condition Improving Following Accident With Hydro Pole Bill Hilbert, an employee Rural Hydro in Wingham, severe head injuries when struck by a swinging pole on Monday morning. Removed to Wingham Gen­ eral Hospital, his condition is reported to be improving. Mr. • Hilbert was working with a hydro gang which was replacing a pole near the Wishing Well plant at the north end of town. The new pole was resting on a horse with a pulley attached to it in readiness for raising, when the horse fell from under it, putting a strain on the pulley line. The pole swung sideways on the line, hitting Mr. Hilbert on the temple. The accident occurred about 11 o’clock. Dr. W. A. Crawford arrived on the scene within minutes of the accident and took the victim to the hospital in a semi-conscious condition, where he was found to have a slight fracture of the skull. X-rays were made Tuesday morning and hospital authorities are awaiting the return of the plates for further diagnosis. Mr. Hilbert is a temporary employee with the Hydro, working with them, during the winter months. W.D.H.S. CONCERT The Wingham District High School concert will be held in the Wingham Town Hall at 8.00 p.m. on Wednes­ day, Thursday and Friday of this week. There will be a variety pro­ gramme of music, gymnastics and drama presented by the students. A more detailed account of the pro­ gramme can be found in the High School column of today’s paper. Gen­ eral admission, fifty cents) reserved seats 60 cents at McKibbons Drugs. 24b < DAY OF PRAYER Day of Prayer service in the Anglican Church on WORLD World be held the afternoon of March the 5th at 3 p.m., also in the evening at 8 p.m. for Evening Auxiliaries and others who find it a more convenient time than in the afternoon. will 17;2b BELGRAVE LIBRARY MEETING The Belgrave Public Library annu­ al meeting will be held Thursday eve­ ning, March 4th at 8 o’clock in the library room of the community centre. The program, educational film, paper on Canadian Authors, will be present* ed. Lunch, F24b NOTICE As of February 24, 1954, the opera­ tors of the town snow plow will not be responsible for any vehicle dam­ aged while ploughing streets in the Town df Wingham. Jas. Angus, Street Foreman. f24b MAITLAND WATERS ARE RIDING HIGH BUT NO FLOOD YET The threat of a flood in abated somewhat Tuesday when cooler weather cut run-off and lowered waters of the Maitland after their peak early this week. Residents of Lower Wingham are heaving a sigh of relief to’ see the lower water levels, although the dan­ ger of flooding is not entirely past. Ice jams in the river have caused some concern, with the whole of the prairies east"’of No. 4 Highway being covered with huge slabs of ice washed down by the rampaging river. Com­ paratively little ice has got through the bridges to the west side of the prairie, however, which now presents the appearance of a small lake. The ice is not entirely out on the Lower Town dam, although it seems to be breaking up to some extent. On Howson’s dam the ice is still intact ex­ cept for a jam at the upper end, above the CPR bridge. Flood waters seemed to have reach­ ed their peak on Sunday, before lower temperatures caused a drop in the water level. Several houses in Lower Wingham and the south part of town were threatened by the waters at that time. In Morris Township, both the first and' second lines were partly under water as the Maitland overflowed its banks, inundating the lower sections of the country. No. 86 Highway, two miles south of Bluevale has been blocked because of water and ice over the road, and motorists have been detouring on the way tp Listowel. Some farm houses have been isolat­ ed by the high waters. In most places in the district, the water has not been high enough to cause much damage. Residents in low- lying areas, however, arc Worried by the prospect of rain, such as was .forecast for Tuesday, i —Joe Kerr and Norman Elliott are attending the Good Roads Convention in Toronto this week. ' DUNCAN MCDOUGALL DIES SUDDENLY Duncan McDougall, well known con­ tractor in the Wingham district, died suddenly as the result of a heart at­ tack last Wednesday, while driving his car on No. 4 Highway about a half mile north of town. He was found by two passing mot­ orists, who noticed that his car had run into a snow bank on the side of the road. He was rushed to Wingham General Hospital, but was found to be dead upon arrival. Mr. McDougall was born in Morris Township. He was a son of the late Peter McDougall and Margaret Yule, his parents living on a farm on No. 86 highway, near Eluevale. Following the death of his sister, Margaret, Mrs. Ewart McKercherj he left the farm and''resided in'^Vingham. He farmed for a time in his early life, before going into the contracting business as a young man. At the time of his death he was en­ gaged on the construction of the large boiler room and laundry of the Wingham General Hospital, work on which was started last year. Three years ago he built the school at Ripley and he was also the con­ tractor for the filtration plant at Pais­ ley. He was unmarried. Funeral services were rie’s Funeral Home on Rev. Matthew Bailie, Knox Presbyterian Church, Bluevale, of which Mr. McDougall was a mem­ ber for many years. Burial was in the Stanley plot, Brussels cemetery. Pallbearers were Cloyne Higgins, •Stanley Moffat, Harry Garniss, Tyn­ dall McKercher, Allan McKercher and Cameron Adams. Flower bearers were George Ingles, Jim Murray, Dr. A. W. Irwin, Bob Mowbray, Bob Chittieburgh, Bill Thompson and Jack Tiffin. held in Cur- Sat urday by minister of Eleventh Hour Decision Made At Council Meeting on Friday The town council faced an eleventh- hour problem on Friday morning when they met to discuss the question of a liability policy for the town. The council gathered for a special meeting called for* 10 o’clock and had to make a decision and act on the matter before 12 noon, when the town’s present liability policy expired. Mayor DeWitt Miller had before him’ two policies, one from the Bri­ tish Empire Insurance Company, who last year carried the town’s liability insurance, and one from the Cowan Company, of Woodstock, whose rep­ resentative, Mr. Richards, had been trying to sell the town a policy. A further bid was put in by Murray Johnson, representing the Anglo-Can­ adian Insurance Company, who had quotations on a policy offered by that company. Mr. Johnson was present at the meeting to present the case for his company. Lapse at Noon As matters stood, last year’s policy was due to lapse at 12 noon, but would renew itself automatically un­ less the company was otherwise noti­ fied. In the meantime a policy from the Cowan Company had been ordered in force as of 12.01, and unless some­ thing was done the tovZn would, find itself with two liability insurance policies. The situation was further complicated when one of the council- were YOUNG CANADA WEEK SCHEDULED AT EASTER The fifth annual Goderich Lions Young Canada Week peewee hockey tournament has been announced, with games scheduled for the Easter vaca­ tion period. The event will be held in conjunc­ tion with the Western Ontario Ath­ letic Association and the Ontario Mi­ nor Hockey Association. It is open to any team anywhere, and will be held in the Goderich Memorial Arena. Teams will be classified according to population, with five groupings for populations ranging from under 500 to over 10,000. Each group winner will be presented with a trophy to be com- Ipeted for annually. One entry will be accepted from each community. Each team on their playing day will be served lunch in the Arena with the compliments of the Goderich Lions Club. If necessary, teams playing the following day will be given night’s lodgings by the people of Goderich. Boys born after August 1st, 1941 are eligible for the tournament. Many Suggestions Made for Anniversary Celebrations Citizens of Wingham suddenly came to life last week, when suggestions on how the 75th anniversary of the town should be celebrated started to pour into the Advance-Times office. Answering a request that the gen­ eral public make suggestions on the anniversary program, several people phoned to make their suggestions while some sent letters. Many ideas were picked up by this reporter in conversation with people around town. In all-about, twenty ideas or sug­ gestions have arrived so far, written and by word of mouth. Here are some of the ideas submitted: Beards for Council Members A beard growing contest with a prize for the most luxuriant foliage had previously been suggested as a means of advertising the celebrations. And there’s no doubt that as a con­ tinuous form of advertising, previous to the celebrations, the idea has a lot of merit. Last week a citizen phoned to sug­ gest that the ‘ entire town council should take the lead in such a pro­ motion by growing beards themselves. Furthermore, it was suggested that the council should dress in the style of seventy-five years ago, with tall hats, cutaway coats, and all the trim­ mings. Carrying on with the old time theme, perhaps a few buckboards and surreys could be found to be'used as means of conveyances. Fishing Derby Another citizen has suggested that the town conduct a fishing derby as one of the attractions of the anniver­ sary celebrations. ’ He points out that the town has about four miles of river within its 1----1 ’ and that there is un­ large number of black a short distance of the Few people in our town much about them, but lors stated that if two policies . _ in force at once, neither would pay off in the event that, the town involved in litigation. The problem before the council to decide which policy was the most effective, at the smallest price. The original Cowan policy had been quoted at a premium of $575 per- year for a fully comprehensive policy, covering practically all types of liability. The British Empire policy carried a pre­ mium of $474, and was said to be com­ parable in coverage to that of the Cowan company. The Anglo-Canadian policy was quoted at $368, but mem­ bers of the council doubted whether the policy at that price was as comp­ rehensive as either of the other two. Postpone Action The town solicitor, J. W. Bushfield, examined the policies and when asked by council as to what he thought would be the best action on the part of the town, said that it would be preferable to wait until all three of the policies were on hand before de­ ciding which one to choose. The council therupon decided to leave last year’s policy in force, to cancel the Cowan insurance for the time being, and to decide the issue at a latei* meeting, when the three policies were on hand. The meeting broke up at 11.30—with half an hour to spare. was was RETURNS TO CANADA BY WAY OF ICELAND Ian Hammerton, local photographer, had an eventful trip back from a visit to England last week. After a month long visit to friends and relatives in England and Wales, Mr. Hammerton boarded a plane at Prestwick, Scotland, for the trip home. Adverse winds and poor weath­ er conditions forced the plane to put down at Iceland for a check-up and refueling, and while there poor weather and visibility kept them grounded for fourteen hours. Make­ shift shelter in an army Nisson hut housed the passengers while waiting for the weather to clear. In the meantime, Mrs. Hammerton and two of the children had gone to Malton to meet the plane, and had to wait there sixteen hours before it finally arrived. The Hammerton fam­ ily left for Malton on Monday morn­ ing and did not arrive back in Wing­ ham until Tuesday. Mr. Hammerton says that he en­ joyed his, visit in England, but that he found difficulty in keeping warm there. During his stay the whole of Europe was in the grip of a cold spell, with temperatures ranging be­ low freezing. Since most English houses don’t have central heating, Mr. .Hammerton said there were times when you had to go to the movies to keep warm. OPEN VERDICT IN KREGAR INQUEST An open verdict stating that Leslie Kregar, of Wingham, died in an ac­ cident near Molesworth on February 6th as the result of shock and a bro­ ken neck, was returned by a coroner’s jury in Listowel oh Friday. Mr. Kregar was killed when his car slid into a ditch at the bottom of a slight grade on No. 86 Highway, about a mile east of Molesworth. George MacDonald, R.R. 1, Listowel, was pull­ ing the car out of the ditch with his truck when a car driven by Clifford Smith, of Listowel, crashed into the Kregar car. W. E. Goodwin, Q.C., of Stratford was the crown attorney, pr. C. E. Conners was the presiding coroner. Dr. W. C. Pratt, Listowel, testified that there was little apparent injury to the victim. However, examination revealed that he had died from shock and a broken neck. Provincial Constable Clare Outing­ dyke, of Listowel, said that he found a driver approaching from the east, as did Smith, could not have seen the Kregar car. He said that one would have had to be well down the crest of the hill before his lights would have picked up the Kregar car. Clifford Smith testified that he had his high light beam on, and estimated that he was travelling about 50 miles an hour. Other witnesses included Clarence Kregar, a brother of the vic­ tim; A. T. Elliott, Listowel photog­ rapher; George MacDonald and John Lawrenofc, Clarence Township, of Toronto. Sanderson, of Wallace was foreman of the jury. New Announcer At Station CKNX Clint Godwin, formerly of station CKOX, Woodstock, arrived in town last week to take a position as an­ nouncer with station CKNX. Mr. God­ win replaces Don Hildebrand, who left to take a position with the new tele­ vision station in Kitchener. Mr. Godwin who has been in radio for the past twenty years, has worked on stations from coast to coast. He is a native of Brandon, Manitoba. Be­ fore coming to Woodstock, he worked on a radio station in the Maritimes. ■ ANOTHER CHURCH IS PLANNED FOR TOWN Arrangements were completed through the H. C. MacLean Realty last week for the sale of the house of the late James Isard, on Victoria Street. The house has been purchased by the Pentecostal Assemblies of Cana­ da, and will be used by that organ- zation as a residence for one of their ministers who is coming to Wingham to live. The organization is active in the surrounding district, and has churches in Listowel, Goderich and Exeter, Rev. Harold Kendrick, of Exeter, made arrangements for the sale. It is planned to erect a new church for the organization in Wingham in the near future, and interested par­ ties are now looking for a suitable site. At present there are about ten families in town who are members of the sect. The Pentecostal Church has been established in Exeter for years, and during that churches have been built of them having burned a after it was erected. boundaries, doubtedly a bass within main street, bother too there is reputed to be fish running up to 5 or 6 pounds in either or both of the two dams. Why not have a fishing derby and give a prize for the biggest fish that is caught within the town limits? A lot of people in the city might be at­ tracted by the chance to come to Wingham for the celebrations and have a chance to do a little fishing on the side. ‘ It was further suggested that the fishing derby could be run on Sun­ day afternoon, perhaps in conjunction with a golf tournament, at a time when other activities will be curtailed because of the Sabbath. It is expected of course, that church services will, be held in the morning and perhaps also in the evening. Parade Would Be Popular Most people seemed to think that a parade would be popular. Sugges­ tions were that the merchants should, prepare floats for the parade, some of which could portray scenes of 75 years ago. Old-time costumes for the parade were also suggested. In connection with the parade a suggestion was made that two or three rally good bands be brought to Wingham for the occasion, as a drawing card. Should Invite Air Force One citizen suggested that the Air Force should be contacted and asked to put on a display of jet aircraft over the town for the occasion. He suggested that many Wingham citi­ zens who had never seen a jet plane before would be interested by such a show. Those with some knowledge of the Air Force seemed to think that a show of this type might be arranged with the Air Force officials, who are usually co-operative in such things. Such a display might be tied in with the recruiting campaign which is cur­ rently in force. It was also suggested that with a centenerary celebration going on in Auburn on the same week-end, the Air Force might be persuaded to take in both celebrations on the same day. Another suggestion of the same type was that the local Army battery might also put on a display of some kind. The people of town have been accus­ tomed to seeing members of the bat­ tery around the Armouries, but sel­ dom get the opportunity to see them “in action’’. Some sort of a “shoot’ on the prairie . or somewhere close to town has been suggested as a good chance for the local boys to put on a display, andr incidentally, boost their own recruit­ ing campaign. Suggests “Beer” Garden In Kitchener's celebration this year, officials are planning a beer garden —if permission can be obtained from the Liquor Control Board. The city has got a lot of publicity already frpm the idea, although it has not yet been approved. It has been suggested that Wing­ ham should have a “beer” garden, too. Only it wouldn’t serve beer. The idea would be to have an out­ door garden set up, possibly in the town hall square, where one could stop and have a glass of cider. An orchestra and singing waiters would complete the illusion. It was pointed out that this idea might bring quite a bit of publicity to the town’s celebrations—without running afoul of the Liquor Control Board or the Canada Temperance Act. SPRING’S HERE! ACCORDING TO THE MAT BOOK, THAT IS about ten time there, short two one time One sure sign of the approach of Spring has been the arrival at the Advance-Times office of the new spring Metro Mat Book, con­ taining hundreds of fresh ideas for Spring promotions, tailor-made for the advertisers of town. The book, first of a new series of monthly issues, will be of great •help to merchants in planning their Spring advertising campaigns, en­ abling them to Use the latest in il­ lustrations and ideas to brighten up their ads. Interested persons are invited to drop in any time and look over the new selection. The new Metro Mat Service will be a welcome addition to the wide range of cuts now available to mer­ chants in the district, at the Ad* vahce-Timcs office. V >'4