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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Wingham Advance-Times, 1954-07-28, Page 15Mr. John Dinsley of the Dinsley Development of Electricity Delayed Several Times We Relieve it is the intention of Robert Tennant to Start a hack lino House had several incandescent lights as soon as the d.P.R, arrives in Wing­ ham. —News item 3,887* PUt in his house this week. —News item 1891. NOW Have That Family Portrait Taken When All The Family Is Together! IANVILLE HAMMERTON STUDIO The first mention of electricity in the Town of Wingham goes back to August, 1885, when it was announced that the newly-purchased premises of Barkley and MpCrimmon, opposite the Exchange Hotel, would be open for business and lighted with electricity. Leggo Ireland had fixed up a small electric light plant in the building and it was hoped this would be quite* a curiosity for the local people and would be a big drawing card. In October of the same year men­ tion was made that the woollen mill owned by Inglis and Co. had been fit­ ted with a complete electric light system. The machinery and fittings were put in by Leggo Ireland on trial and if the purpose was properly serv­ ed, they would retain the equipment permanently. Eight lamps were used to light the mill. These electric lights worked perfect­ ly and it was announced that they would be permanent fixtures. In'ad­ dition to these lights, Inglis & Co, had the mill fitted throughout with new steam pipes to further improve the heating. The firm seems to have been advanced in its ideas, for it was not until later that other firms com­ menced to talk of steam heating. Street Lights There were lots of problems to solve before electric lights were fin­ ally established in Wingham. In Oc­ tober, 1888, a representative of the Re­ liable Electric Light Company of Wat­ erford, proposed installing electric) lights at 25c per light per night for1 illumination on the streets. It was. suggested that the equipment be plac­ ed in town for a trial period of one month. The company was more com­ monly known as the Reliance Electric Light Co., and is the term that is used to identify it hereafter. Apparently the offer of the Reliance company was not accepted and in March, 1889 the Ball Electric Light Co. offered to supply the town with la 50-light double armature dynamo and 50 arc lamps for $2,250 or 25 lamps for $1,625, which, with one mile of “current" would cost $1,875. tIn July of the same year the Board of Trade, under the presidency of Benjamin Willson, held a meeting to discuss lighting possibilities and it was decided that oil was scarcely worth considering. Smaller towns in the east were abandoning , electricity, due to the expense and all the mem­ bers voted to have a committee get in­ formation on gas lighting. ' There followed a series of meetings, at which representatives from “other towns explained gas and the cost of it, but the interest in that method of lighting finally waned without action THE WALLPAPER SHOP HAS GIVEN 30 YEARS' SERVICE IN PAINTING and DECORATING IN WINGHAM Our first paint contract was 2 coats on the exterior of a frame house (labor only) $14.00 OUR MOTTO HAS ALWAYS BEEN TO GIVE GOOD WORKMANSHIP FOR MODERATE PRICES the wallpaper shop PAINTS WALLPAPER FLOORCOVERINGS GIFTS being taken. In January, 1890, the Reliance El­ ectric Light Co, put up wires and in­ stalled lights entirely on their own responsibility, no doubt in hope that once people became accustomed to a few lights they would prefer to keep them. When terms were finally dis­ cussed, the rate was $60 each for 300 nights of the year for street lights and 20c per night for one light for 200 nights; 25c per night for shops with a small reduction if more than one light was used. The coun­ cil still took no .action and the Ball Co. representative returned with no better results. Edison Offer In May Mr. J. C. Reading visited Toronto and Guelph, where he exam­ ined the different systems. It was his opinion that the Edison Incandescent would be the most suitable here. The lamps used were 16 candle-power, which were more than equal to two coal oil lamps with three-fourths inch wicks. The price would be from 3 to 5 cents per night. He reported that there was no danger in handling them for every lamp had a separate key to turn the light off and on as re­ quired. It would require 32 candle­ power for street lighting and it was estimated to be cheaper than arc lighting. Hutton & Price at this time consid­ ered rebuilding on their old site (the I Fisher grist mill) where they had been burned out, to house the electric­ ity plant. ! First Dynamo The first dynamo in Wingham for public lighting was installed in the engine room of the Union Factory by I the Reliance Electric Light Co. in Feb- < ruary, 1890 with Chas. Peake of Wat- j erfora in charge. In May of that year J. E. Bradwin was engaged to take charge of the dynamo on Satur­ day nights and nights before holidays and his average wage in that year was $1.80 per week. At that time there were six lamp posts on Josephine Street at the cor­ ners of Victoria, John and Patrick Streets, there was another at the skating rink, one at Button and Fes­ sant’s chair factory, and the sixth lamp was on the corner of Leopold and John Streets. These lights were to be in use on Saturday nights. By December of that year the num­ ber had been increased to 34. includ­ ing 2,000 candle-power arc lights and eight 16 candle-power incandescent lights. In November of the same year Gil­ christ, Green and Co. then proprietors of the Union Factory and Mr. Brad­ win were still in charge and the man­ agement of the electric light plant re­ mained in the same hands for the next 20 years. In 1891 an incandescent lighting plant was installed by the Royal El­ ectric Co,, of Montreal, for Gilchrist, Green & Co. In November, 1893 the plant was moved to the Lower Town site and was taken over by W. H. Green under the name of the Wing­ ham Electric Co. The plant was fur­ ther developed until it consisted of six small electrical machines. In Feb­ ruary, 1893, the Wingham Electric Light Co., as it was known by that time, purchased the water privileges at the lower dam and the race deepened and a new dam built other improvements made, sent power house was built and eral pieces of new equipment were in­ stalled, and by November lights were supplied from the new power house, operated by water power. In 1903. the town purchased the plant from Mr. Green and in 1908 the executive committee of the town council, with Wm. Holmes as mayor, decided to change the lighting sys­ tem and very nearly the entire plant by changing the multiple machines to a single generator large enough to supply the town with light and power for some years to come. By the year 1912 electric service had come into its own inimitable place, with the establishment of all­ day service for the townspeople, rath­ er than power after dark only. Thus it became possible.t to commence the use of the myriads of appliances which have, since that day, changed our world from one of drudgery to the age of Case. At the same time the Water and Electric Light Com­ mission rented the north half of Grey store for a display room to in the sale of electric household pliances. Before amalgamation with the Hy­ dro Electric Power Commission of Ontario, while the town was operating on its own source of supply, the cost per kilowatt hour was 13c. Though prices may have altered considerably since that time, the lo- I The pal Public Utilities Commission is now a unit of the Ontario-wide Hydro sys­ tem which guarantees such a contin- uo us flow of power that modern homes and industries accept the ser- vice without thought of the struggles which brought this modern conven­ ience into being. REV. JOHN POLLOCK The Whigham Advance-Times, Wednesday, July 28, 1*54 'Pwpe Flfteea work of the society with such con­ viction that a mass meeting, which followed in the town hall, was a decid­ ed success. * I ' * | NLr, Pollock addressed 750 people at the meeting and Mr. Miller presented slides depicting the work of this or­ ganization. The climax of the meet­ ing was reached when Mr. Elliott undertook the organization of a so­ ciety for Wingham. CHILDREN’S AID SOCIETY County Officer G. M. Elliott, of the Children's Aid Society of Huron Coun­ ty, accompanied by Rev, C, R. Miller, of Berlin, and Rev. John Pollock of Goderich, visited Wingham in Febru­ ary 1912 in an effort to form a Wing­ ham branch to the society. Rev. Miller occupied the pulpits of the Methodist and Presbyterian churches morning and evening respec­ tively, while Rev. Pollock preached in the Anglican and Baptist churches for these services. They presented the }recalls that at that time each minister ’ supplied his own organist, soloist or ’ choir. I Mr. Pollock has been retired for the? |past six years, having supplied' for a | few years following Ms resignation at | Whitechurch. He was minister °f the Presbyterian Church there for four* teen years and is well known in this vicinity. The officers elected were: Hon. president, A. H. Musgrove, M-P.P,; president, Abner Cosens; secretary, John F. Groves and treasurer, C. P. Smith. The ministers of the various churches were appointed vice-presi­ dents and two ladies of each church were named by the ministers to on the executive committee. act Radio Programs ; Mr. Pollock is the only surviving 5 minister who was active on “Church ■ of the Air" broadcasts when they were originated by CKNX, preaching his first radio sermon during the first or second week of the program. He I <&Wingham Brass Band won second I money at Clinton in the Doherty Or- * gan Company competition, the famous t Waterloo band taking first. When the i boys arrived home on the evening I train they were met by a host of i friends and conducted down Josephine | Street by a torch light procession- J—News item 1885, James Netterfield and family, of i Lower Wingham, and James H. Net- terfield and family, have removed to North pakota, —News item 1896. I I wish to take advantage of the opportunity to convey to the town of Wingham, and to the many people in the surrounding country who make up this interesting community, that 75 years is a long time to look back, but it brings to mind many interesting memories that we cherish more and more as the years roll by. Living as I do just outside Wingham area, nevertheless my association with the Wingham people has always been pleasant and very much worth while. I wish your celebration every success, and trust the Wingham Old Boys will migrate back in ever increas­ ing numbers during your three-day Anniversary. I even hope to be with you, and I wish the committee in charge the fullest cooperation. CARDIFF COMPLIMENTS OF Miller Wholesale LIMITED TOBACCOS CONFECTIONERY SUNDRIES SERVING WINGHAM WITHIN A RADIUS SPEEDILY AND AND DISTRICT OF 25 MILES EFFICIENTLY