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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Wingham Advance-Times, 1954-12-29, Page 1With which is amalgamated the Gorrie Vidette and Wroxeter News Subscriptions $2.50 per year, 6c per copy WINGHAM, ONTARIO, WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 29, 1954 ALONG THE MAIN DRAG By The Pedestrian Plan to Re-Route Highway No. 86 Protested by j Bluevale Farmers NO SCORE—Wingham Mohawks have been taking things sort of easy during the past couple of weeks. Last Thursday night’s game with Palmer­ ston was called off, as was Tuesday’s game with Arthur. Last time they played was almost two weeks ago. Next game is scheduled for January 1st., New Year’s Day, and the question Is—Will anyone make that game either? 0-0-0 STILL ANONYMOUS—Wingham’s anonymous Santa Claus, who travels around with a team and sleigh every Christmas Eve, was on the job again this year, much to the delight of the local kiddies. Many people would like to publicly thank the old gentleman for his endeavors, but he still prefers to remain anonymous. Thanks any­ way, Santa. 0-0-0 UNDECK THE HALLS—Most of the merchants on Josephine Street were pretty prompt in getting their Christmas decorations down, once Christmas was over. Some of them, in fact, worked on Boxing Day to put in new windows. We suppose it’s a good idea,, but the street looks a lot drabber for it. 0-0-0 , ALL QUIET—The fellow who wrote the ditty about the night before Christmas should have seen Josephine Street the day after. Must have been the quietest day'of the year. Perhaps all good citizens will make up for it on New Year's Eve. .0-0-0 NO ACCIDENTS—Looking at the reports from, other districts, Wing­ ham was extremely fortunate in hav­ ing no serious accidents during the Christmas week-end. FRACTURES LEG AS CAR OVERTURNS ‘Fred MacLean suffered a fractured right leg, and W. A. Heughan and his son, Jim, were shaken up in a mis­ hap on icy roads near Donegal, east of Atwood. The three were returning to Wing-, ham in Jim Heughan’s car at about midnight on Monday when the. car failed to make a turn in the road and rolled over in the ditch. The pave­ ment was icy at the time and the visi­ bility was poor because of fog. Z Mr. MacLean was taken to Listowel General Hospital for treatment, and was brought home on Tuesday. The other two escaped with minor injur­ ies, Jim Heughan suffering from a sprained ankle. The car was not badly damaged. Bridge Club Five and a half tables were in play using the Howell system, at the week­ ly meeting of the bridge club on Tuesday of , last week. , Winners were: First, Mrs. D. Na­ smith, Miss L. Flach; second, George Williams, Vin Dittmer; third, Mrs. H. C. MacLean, Mrs. G. Godkin; fourth, Mrs. J. A. Wilson, Mrs. J. H. Craw­ ford. * B9WLING Although Christmas Festivities took their toll, the CKNX bowlers had a good week of bowling this week. The following scores were tabulated. Ladies’ high single, Joyce Lang­ ridge, 219; high triple, Joyce Lang­ ridge, 496; most strikes, Lillian Gor- butt, 10. High grand average to date, Elizabeth Dittmer, 174; Mary Louise Flach, 164; Lillian Darling, 160. Men’s high Single, Bob Carbert, 246; high triple, Bob Carbert, 588; most strikes, Vin Dittmer, 10; High grand average, Hap Swatridge, 194; Jed Reynolds, 175; Bud Cruickshank, 172. Teams, to date, Kilowatts, 29, 3, 32; Jets, 30, Bye, 30; Skyliners 27, 3, 30; Sparkplugs, 19, 1, 20; Thursday Niters, 14, 1, 15. There should be a lot of interest next week,- the final week of this Split Season Schedule. The Kilowatts, now leading, have a Bye, and Cannot add to their score. The Jets and Skyliners, tied for Second, are teamed against one another this week. Split points could, mean a three way tie for first, but three points for either the Jets or Skyliners, moans the money. Watch this closely. Present Local Juvenile Softballers With Trophy, Banquet and Pens Members of Wingham’s- Juvenile Softball team, which won the Ontario Juvenile “C” Championship in Octo­ ber, were feted by the town on Wed­ nesday evening, when the town coun­ cil tendered them a banquet at the Brunswick Hotel in honor of their championship. The practice “of ban­ queting Ontario Championship ball and hdckey teams has become a tra­ dition in Wingham since'thc first championship was won two years ago. Last Wednesday’s banquet was the fourth consecutive championship in the two-year period. Guests at the head table were Hor­ ace Aitchison, Maurice Swanson, W. NEW LICENSE PLATES ON SALE MONDAY Commercial and passenger license plates for 1955 will go on sale on Mon­ day, January 3rd., 1955. Mrs. James Seli, issuer of motor vehicles licenses for the town, informed the Advance- Times this week. The new plates will be blue with white figures, or the re­ verse in color of the 1954 markers. Although plates for most of the Province will have figures only, unlike the plates of the past few years, those issued in Wingham will be prefaced by the letter “B”. Numbers will start at 7701, containing four digits. A report recently issued in the press said that all Ontario license plates would have only numbers this year. When Mrs. Sell asked the department representative about this in view of the fact that Wingham licenses have a letter, she was informed that the plates with numbers are “just for the first million”. Wingham motorists, apparently, are in the second million. Mrs. Sell’s office is located oh Al­ bert Street, one block east Of Cros­ sett’s garage*. B. Conron, president of the recreation council, Alf Lockridge, secretary of the W.O.A.A., Reeve R. E. McKinney, Mayor DeWitt Miller, “Tory” Gregg, president of the O.H.A., Ivan Gardner and Coach Vic Loughlean. Members of the town council and the town clerk were also present. On behalf of the town, Mayor De­ Witt Miller congratulated the boys on their achievement. “This is the town’s official way of saying how proud we are of you”, he told the champions. Reeve McKinney congratulated the boys on the compliments they had received for their behaviour on and off the ice. He said that they had gotten a reputation for acting as gentlemen, and that this was as im­ portant as winning the championship. Alf Lockridge, 'secretary of the Western Ontario Athletic Association spoke briefly, congratulating the boys on the way in which they had repre­ sented the W.O.A.A. in the provincial field. In his capacity as a director of the Ontario Amateur Softball Associa­ tion, “Tory” Gregg presented the Horning Memorial Trophy, emblem­ atic of the Ontario Juvenile “C” Championship, to Captain Bruce Lott, who made a fitting little speech of ac­ ceptance. Reeve McKinney, on behalf of the town, thanked Mr. Gregg for making the presentation. Following the .presentation of the trophy, Bill Conron, president of the recreation council, presented each member of the team with a Sheaffer Snorkel pen, with the name of the player engraved upon it. Captain Bruce Lott thanked the town council on behalf of the members of the team. Players on the championship team were: Bruce Lott, captain; Don Gray, Gary Storey, Jim Bain, Jim Campbell, Barry Fry, Doug Murray, Druce Rob­ ertson, Keith Lancaster, Ken Hodg­ kinson and Mac Eadie. Dougie Spry, Ivan Gardner, Bill Tiffin and Coach Vic Loughlean assisted with the team. STILL ROOM FOR MORE IN CHILDREN’S BAND There’s still room for new recruits in the Wingham Lions Boys’ and Girls’ Band. In fact Bandmaster A. C. Robinson says “the more the merrier.” . If you have a child who is interest­ ed in music and would like to get started, the Boys’ and Girls’ Band is an ideal place for him to learn, along with the other children, the rudi­ ments of band work. Progress is usu­ ally fast, and the band is expecting to put on a full scale concert within a couple of months. With the co-operation of the town council the Lions Club will purchase the larger instruments, such as bases, drums, euphoniums and altos. These instruments will rema’n the property of the club and will be passed on to other band members when they are no longer required by those who first use them. Other instruments may be purchased on a payment plan by the parents themselves. Any youngster who already owns an instrument may request to have it examined by the bandmaster, and if it proves satisfactory the purchase of a new instrument will not be neces­ sary. Children from out-of-town are par­ ticularly welcome to the ranks of the band, since it is the hope of the Lions Club that the band Will be composed of both country and town children. Children from seven years of age and up are eligible. Band practices are now being held at 7.30 on Tuesday night. For further information contact either the band­ master, A. C. Robinson or anyone of the Lions Club Committee, composed of W. B. Cruikshank, Ed. Edighoffer and Barry Wenger. NOTICE Commencing Saturday, January 8th, Wroxeter and Fordwich Branch, Can­ adian Bank of Commerce, will be Closed all day Saturday. Extra Service will be given oh Friday afternoon, from 4,30 to 6 o’clock. F22:29* Long Distance Call Spans 12,000 Miles Rev, and Mrs. Alex Nimmo had the Unique experience of talking to their daughter and son-in-law, Rev. and Mrs. George Malcolm, of Taipeh, For­ mosa, by long distance telephone on Monday night. The telephone calls covered a distance of 12,000 miles, or nearly half way around the world. Mr. Nimmo said that he could hear the Malcolms quite plainly on the other end of the wire, although there was a certain amount of interference due to the fact that part of the dis- ance was covered by wireless. Rev. and Mrs. Malcolm have been missionaries in Formosa for the past few months. The Nimmo’s telephone was busy over the week-end, with another call coming through from Mr. and Mrs. John W. Hanna, who are wintering in Miami. Mr. Nimmo reports that the Hanna’s are in good health and are enjoying the Florida climate. Wawanosh Resident Marks 90th Birthday /About forty of the neighbours gathered at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Leslie Wightman, East Wawanosh, on Tuesday evening in honour of Mr. Adam Robertson, who celebrated his ninetieth birthday. X All enjoyed a game of “Lost Heir’’ and at lunch the birthday cake was cut, and Mr. Robertson was presented with a remembrance from the group. Turkey Dinner Forty employees from the neigh­ boring municipalities, including eight employees of his own shop, were guests of Joe Kerr at a1 dinner at the Brunswick Hotel Tuesday night. All enjoyed a turkey dinner, and the music of Clark Johnston afterwards? This is the second year that Mr, Kerr has tendered a banquet to his employees ahd business associates. A plan by the Ontario Department of Highways to change the present route of No. 86 highway near Bluevale, has met with opposition from farmers in the area who will be affected by the proposal. Nineteen of twenty farmers in the area Who will have their farms sliced up by the new road, have protested to the department. The present stretch of No. 86 high­ way east of Bluevale passes over two bridges, one at the Bluevale dam and the other two concessions to the south east. Both are old bridges in need of replacing, and the department has apparently decided that it would be cheaper to put the highway through the fields to the north east of Bluevale, where it could avoid both crossings. The plan has been talked about for several years, but about six weeks ago a party of surveyors visited the area and started to survey the farms which would be in the path of the proposed route. A petition was circulated and signed by nineteen of the twenty farmers in the area who would be affected by the new road, and three representa­ tives, Reeve J. V. Fischer, Gordon Greig and George Hetherington, to­ gether with John W. Hanna, M.P.P., HOLIDAY ACCIDENT VICTIMS TREATED AT HOSPITAL Several minor accident victims were treated at the Wingham General Hos­ pital last week, some of them arising from conditions due to the holiday season. Robert Murdie, 15, son of. Mrs. Mabel Murdie, 7 Locust St., Kitchener, fell and fractured his left ankle while visiting for Christmas near Holyrood. An ankle strap was applied and he was allowed home. Murray McKinnon, 27, RR 3, Tees- water fractured his left ankle when he fell and twisted it. He was releas­ ed after a walking cast was applied. While putting up Christmas decora­ tions in her home, Mrs. Robina Noble, 85, of RR 8, Brussels, fractured her left hip, when she fell on a rug. She was admitted to the hospital, where her condition is regarded as satisfac­ tory. Gerald Buckle, 19, of RR 1, Tees- water crushed his hand between a buttermilk can and a tan, while em­ ployed by the creamery at Teeswater. He was allowed to go home after X-rays were taken. On Christmas Day Mrs. Melinda Ketchabow, aged 79, of RR 3, Luck­ now, fractured both wrists when she was thrown out of a cutter while on her way to visit relatives for Christ­ mas. Casts were applied at the hos­ pital, where her condition is satisfac­ tory. On Boxing day Mrs. Caroline Han­ na, of Wingham, cut her left index finger with a butcher knife, while cutting meat at her home. She was allowed home after the damage was repaired. MANY CURLERS AT BOXING BAY ’SPIEL . < -A Sixty-four local curlers took to the ice sheets at the Wingham Curling Club for the annual Boxing Day bon- spiel- on Monday. There were draws at 9 o’clock and 11 o’clock, with some very fine curling on display for the experts behind the glass. X One game in particular comes to mind, when R. S. Hetherington’s rink and Jim Bain’s high school rink play­ ed three extra ends to break the 10th end deadlock. Skip Hetherington with his last stone finally won this mara­ thon. - Jim Murray was the busiest man in the rink, selling draw tickets on a ham. T. A. Currie, who had been ad­ miring this large bologna all day, was the winner of the ticket drawn by Mrs. Art Wilson. X The following were the ’spiel win­ ners: 9 o’clock draw: First, L. McDonald, L. Montgomery, C. Casemore, W. Tif­ fin, skip; second, W. Rintoul, A. Mc­ Kay, H. Thomas, C. Renwick, skip; consolation, C. Bondi, M. Keating, J. Bowman, Fred Davidson, skip. 11 o’clock draw: First, G. Tilton, W. Harriston, H« Carmichael, O. Has- elgrove, skip; second, D. A. Rahn, B. Martin, W. Currie, Alex Crawford, skip; consolation, Dr. Palmer, F. Hop* per, J. McKIbbon, Dr. A. W. Irwin, skip. presented the petition to M. Elston, of Toronto, deputy minister of high­ ways. The deputy minister promised to give residents an early hearing on the matter. Last week a meeting was called in the community hall, at which the nineteen interested parties were pres­ ent, together with Mr. Muntell and Mr. Starks, of the department of Highways, Toronto, and Mr. Heavy- sege, of Stratford. They explained the department proposal to change the present stretch of No. 86 highway, running south of the Maitland .for two and a half miles, eliminating two one-lane bridges which have been the scene of many accidents over the past few years. The proposed new route would cut across about ten farms north of the river, and would join the present highway north of the Bluevale school. Farmers claim they wouldn’t even be allowed to drive their cattle across the new road, except at the nearest crossroad. The farm of Reeve J. V. Fischer would be cut in two, and his neighbor, J. C. Higgins would find himself with his farm buildings on one side of the road and his fields on the other, with no right-of-way across the high­ way. Highway officials claim, however, that they could save money on the new route. They told farmers that the department wants to eliminate the two bridges in the present stretch of road, and that oven after paying for all the farms which would be crossed by the new road, and the cost of filling and grading they would save about $165,000 over the cost of build­ ing new bridges at the same time and would straighten out a highway which promises to be an important one in the future. The present bridges have a ten-ton load limit. According to the officials, the de­ partment is prepared to purchase all of the farms intersected by the new highway, if necessary, in order to go ahead with the project. It is expected that work.on the new route may be started in 1956, if arrangements can be made with landowners in the area. Reeve Fischer was informed by the deputy minister that he will be advis­ ed in writing of the department’s decision, as soon as it has been reached. TWO HUNDRED TURN OUT FOR FOX DRIVE Despite the most unfavourable climatic conditions almost 200 sports­ men turned out on Boxing Day to take part in the first fox drive spon­ sored by the Luc-Tee-Win club. While all field reports are not com­ plete it would appear that the team, headed by Mr. Oscar Kieffer, won the first prize of $15.00 while teams headed by Don Cook, of Wingham, and Jack Bannister, of Lucknow, are tied for second and third prize money. Officials of the Club are very happy over the enthusiasm shown and there is no doubt that, with favorable weather a much larger number of foxes would have been accounted for. Already, the Club is planning for another drive and details will appear in the papers and over the radio in the near future. SUBSCRIPTION RATE WILL GO TO $3.00 Commencing at the first of January the subscription rate to The Wingham Advance-Times will be increased to $3.00 per year in Canada and $4.00 to addresses out­ side the Dominion. This move is dictated by neces­ sity. The last increase in rates was made more than four years ago, and in that interval the costs of publication have increased right along the line. Not only have the prices of the materials which go into your paper been increased several times, but our labor costs— the major factor in newspaper fi­ nancing—have risen sharply. Every effort has been made to improve and expand this news­ paper, and those efforts will be continued. We want to provide you with the very best kind of publi­ cation in this particular field of journalism. In doing so we have run the cost of production precar­ iously close to the soiling price— and that is a situation which no business can safely permit. All subscriptions paid in the bal­ ance of this month will be accepted at the present rate of $2.50 per year.