Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Exeter Times-Advocate, 1970-04-16, Page 4OUR POINT OF VIEW Impossible .decision Being last man on, the totem pole has its disadvantages in many regards,and certainly one such case is for the newspaper and the regular court reporting, After most court sessions in Exeter, at least one call is received from some person asking that a name be withheld from the court report. Generally speaking, the request is in connection with minors found guilty of drinking, and the requests come from the guilty party himself or from a distressed parent. In the first situation, the request is usually to withhold the information from a parent, and in the second instance, the request is to save the parent from some embarrassment. Unless there are extenuating circumstances which suggest a valid reason for omitting the name, the request is denied. In all cases we genuinely sympathize with a lad who leaves our office in the knowledge he's going to have to tell his parents about the situation before it is revealed in the news columns, and similarly we sympathize with a parent who faces any embarrassment brought about by the actions of an offspring. However, we must repeat again, that it would be totally unfair for any newspaper to arbitrarily decide which names would be included in print and which names would be left out. It would be humanly impossible to make any decisions of that nature. This newspaper covers court sessions for several reasons. First of all, it provides news and we are in the business of dispensing news. It may not be categorized as good news by some, but we have little control over that. We don't make the news, we just print it, Secondly, we feel the public should be made aware of the decisions being handed down by our courts. Many people have registered complaints about court rulings and the actions of the court should always be open to public scrutiny unless there are circumstances not in the public interest. Newspapers report court news in the hope that some of their readers will realize the penalties involved in breaking laws and will therefore not do so. It may not serve as much of a deterrent, but obviously if we succeed even in a small measure in that direction it must be considered useful. In many cases, based on visits to our office, it is the sole means by which some parents learn of their son's or daughter's activities and in the activities of some of the youths with whom they are associated. Surely in that regard it must serve some useful purpose. We do not make apologies for printing court reports. Neither do policemen make apologies for bringing charges against law breakers nor do judges make apologies for handing down penalties against those found guilty of breaking laws. Policemen must exercise some judgment in laying charges and judges are faced with the same challenge in handing down verdicts. However, the system of justice would break down into caotic conditions if the policeman and the judge were to base their decision upon the fact that some law breakers didn't want their parents to know of their activities or that some parents would be embarrassed by the activities of their offspring. It would be equally unfair for a newspaper to make decisions on the same basis. Heads should roll Once again we are treated to the auditor general's report which Mr, Maxwell Henderson issues every year. This year he reports total squanderings of close to $40 million in varying amounts. Old age pension frauds accounted for $800,000; lack of liaison between the unemployment insurance commission and the man-power department tallied up to $3 million; eight sewage treatment plants cost $224,000 to buy and were found to be too heavy for the ships they were intended to be installed upon. They were junked and sold as scrap for $5,000. Late payment of taxes rated a loss of $277 million. One government paid the post office $60,000 when the accurate charge should have been $130,000. To cap this dreary chronicle, close to $9 million were spent on harbor development in Quebec on the trifling suggestion of a grain company which merely expressed its possible interest in the project. When the job was suspended, it was found there would be no prospective users. What gets our goat is the fact that these disclosures are, apparently, never pursued. In the average firm such incidents would be thoroughly investigated and the culprits would find themselves on the bread-line. Incidentally, the auditor general complains that his staff is totally insufficient for him to do a good job of his auditing. It makes one wonder what we would find out if he was sufficiently and efficiently staffed! (Chatham Daily News) Raitemeet de 60 14? One of the unpleasant aspects of the past decades was the increase in taxes. Ontario's first sales tax was implemented on September 1, 1961 and drew loud cries of complaints from shoppers and merchants. The tax is now up to five percent. Howard Holtzmannof A & H is shown here with Mrs. Grace Elsie figuring out how to figure the tax on the cash register. On the counter are some of the items which became taxable. Indoor-Outdoor Thermometer When You Buy Any AIR CONDITIONER During the month of April The Hot Weather Will Soon Be Here .. . . You'll Be Well Prepared With A General Electric FASHIONETTE Combining compactness and lightweight with beauty and power, the Fashionette provides the utmost in comfort. Amazing quietness — ideal for bedroom cooling. Fits windows from 201/2 " to 36" wide. Fashionette air conditioners come in 5,000, 6,000 and 8,000 BTUs. You'll enjoy fresh summer comfort with air that is not only cooled, but filtered and then out through a unique "Air Wash." EASY TO INSTALL — CHOOSE FROM 5 COLORS Russell Electric MAIN ST. EXETER 235.0505 VG IICTORIA and GREY TRUST COMPANY SINCE 1889 425 MAIN ST., EXETER Times Established 1873 Advocate Established 1881 Amalgamated 1924 SERVING CANADA'S BEST FARMLAND C.W.N.A., 0.W.N.A., CLASS 'A' and ABC Editor-:- Bill Batten — Advertising Manager Phone- 2354331 Published Each Thursda71;r7fi .'4*- at Exeter, Ontario Second ClasS Mail Registration Number 0386 Paid in AdVance Circulation, September 30, 1969, 4,751 SUB5CkIPTiot4 RATES Canada $6.00 Per Year; USA $8.00 attetiC„e., .ek‘ You lust can't win 'em all What unemployed will wear There's nothing like a little change at this time of year to pull you out of the doldrums. That's what my wife said when the school holidays were coming up. And she was right. Most of our friends were going somewhere: Skiing, Florida, Jamaica, Mexico, South Carolina. Family obligations and lack of cash vetoed anything like that, but she had a wonderful plan. My brOther-in-law and family were going to Florida. They live in the city. We'd go to the city, stay at their place, saving a big hotel bill, take in a few shows, and step out to dinner a couple of times. "It'll be just like home for you" says she. "You can take your exam papers and mark them, you won't have a care in the world, we'll have some fun, and it will be a nice change for you." It was. Our daughter was home for the weekend, but was going back to the city to stay in the grubby hole her friends rent. She wanted to take back her cat and kitten. She was prevailed upon to wait until midweek — when we were going down — for the animals' sake. First mistake. Word got around among her friends. Second mistake. To cut it short, we left for the city with two cats, four teenagers, two big boxes of grub for Kim, enough clothes to go to Europe, and me in a surly mood, Arrived at Kim's abode and carried up the food, only to discover that three teeny-boppers had beat her to it, and there wasn't room for her. Took her back with us to brother-in-law's house, a handsome place indeed. Picked up the key from a neighbor, as arranged. Turned key in lock, It bent. Played with lock. Stomped on key with heel to straighten it out. Couldn't. Finally door swung open. Great relief. Fumbled for lights, all located in wrong place. "Phew! This place stinks,"said Kim. She was right. Dopey sister-in-law had not turned refrigerator off properly. Freezer was unfrozen, water all over floor, meat putrid. Solid hour of mopping up, scrubbing out frig. All hope of hamburger gone out in garbage, rotten, Eventually, I made a mess of crumbled buns in a large tin of spaghetti sauce. It tasted like spaghetti sauce, which is pretty strong without spaghetti. House was cold. Turned heat well up. Nothing happened. Steam heat. An hour later it was 80. Turned heat way down. Nothing happened. Steam. Tried washing dishes. No hot water. Afraid to go out to show, or anything, because of faulty key, Might never get in again. Suggested: "Let's get the hell Two weeks ago our editorial page featured a letter from "the boss" who had just turned down a youthful applicant for a job because the latter didn't have the right attitude. We explained that jobs would be scarce this year and that some of the points outlined in the letter should be considered by any area young people hoping to join the labor force this year — either for permanent or summer employment. If any young people felt the article was not of value, they are badly mistaken according to the following letter we received this week from "a local personnel manager". While the letter was unsigned, we felt it important enough to reprint, and it is as follows: Every employer or persons, who on behalf of an employer, are required to hire people, could reply to the "It's called attitude" article in the Our Point of View column last week by saying two words "Hear, Hear". Statistics tend to bore all of us, but the facts and figures relating the number of high school and university students 'looking for summer employment and the job openings available for them may just shock some of them out of their leather jackets and granny glasses and into a barbershop and a Kiwi can. Personally, we like to see some students in our production lines and we usually interview 30 to 40 each spring, but many more than that are always available for an interview. However, because we have "stone-age" ideals where long hair and granny glasses are concerned, the student that usually gets the nod is the old fashioned one with the polished shoes and a necktie. * The project suggested by Councillor Ross Dobson in having the Exeter Town Hall clock removed and encased in glass on the library lawn is one that warrants some consideration, especially if it can be carried out at practically no cost to the taxpayers. Councillor Dobson reported some local residents had already out of here and check in at a hotel." No takers. Too tired. Watched TV and went to bed. Next day same thing. Hot water came on, for no reason, but wife and daughter bickered most of day, also for no reason. Had company. Sent out for food. Stayed up too late, Fell asleep. Awoke to great squabble and daughter leaving with her cats. Persuaded her to settle down. Three a.m. and no busses running. She's not so dumb, and agreed. Third day, worse. Freezing rain and snow outside, no food and raw nerVes inside, My wife was right from the start. It was just like home, And my exam papers were still in the suitcase. Finally took bull by horns and went out on town. Downtown packed with solid mob, barely moving traffic. Had beautiful dinner in crowded joint, after standing in line for half-hour. Hamburg for me, coffee for the girls, Who weren't hungry from feminine perversity, At last, saw a one-hour revue, at 11 p.m. Home at 12:80 a.m. Next day, took Kim down to her house, with eats. All food we'd brought for her was eaten. Back to house. Wife slaving to clean up, I said: "I'm going home, Period!" For once, no argument. Home through blizzard. Stopped by cop, But, ah, that home sweet home. No cats, no kid. There's nothing like a little change. indicated support for such a project and a clock enthusiast had offered his services to get the time piece back into working condition. The clock was built in the late 1800's by George Hess of Zurich, who is a great grandfather of Mrs. Eldrid Simmons of Exeter. Mr. Hess was a carpenter and started building town clocks in 1880. Pauline advises there is a similar clock in a church in Tavistock as well as at the Lutheran Church in Zurich. The clocks have wooden works and are obviously collectors' items, and no doubt attract considerable attention if attractively displayed in the community. We suggest that persons who have any interest in a project of restoring the clock contact Councillor Dobson so he can make a complete report of his findings tocouncil. * The first grass fire call of the season for the Exeter fire department this week indicates that spring is well on its way. A large number of area residents were out in their yards over the weekend cleaning up the winter's accumulation of debris, and with a few warm rains, the countryside should take on an attractive green appearance in the next few days. The season brings a couple of reminders for everyone First of all, residents should be particularly careful with those grass fires. Each spring usually results in at least three or four calls for the firemen and while damage in this area has never been serious from such a blaze, other communities have not escaped as easily. Spring winds have a way of 50 YEARS AGO Mr. Nat Ogden of Usborne is moving this week into the residence vacated by Fred May who have moved into the residence he bought from Mr. McDonnell. Mr. Bert Kernick has sold his farm on the Thames Road to Mr. Ezra Willett who has taken possession. The Minister of Education has appointed Dr. Hardie to conduct a dental inspection of the schools in Hay and Stanley Townships soon. Mr. Hollingsworth, contractor for the permanent road for Main Street has two carloads of road machinery at the depot, ready to commence the work. Casper Waiper has sold his implement agency business in Zurich, to Joseph Druar, St. Clemens. Mr. Walper has purchased the Dominion Hotel, Zurich. 25 YEARS AGO Members of the midget hockey team were guests of the Lions Club to hear Sportscaster Tony Gregg, from CKN X Wingham. Mr. Alexander McPherson, one of Exeter's oldest residents, died at the age of 89. & Mrs. James Squire, of Woodharn, have purchased the residence of Mrs. E. Myers, on Huron Street, Lions Club held "Farmer's Night" at the arena, with an attendance of 200. Rev, Norman Rawson, of Hamilton, was the guest speaker. 15 YEARS AGO Art estimated 2,000 people will take part in the South being whipped up very quickly and an apparently harmless fire can soon get fanned into dangerous proportions and endanger nearby buildings. The sunny days of the past few weeks have also enabled area youngsters to haul their bicycles from the cellar or garage and some driving practices witnessed indicate many have forgotten some of the safety rules which they were taught last season. Parents, of course, must share the major portion of responsibility for their offsprings' driving habits, but motorists too must maintain a constant vigilance for carefree youngsters. rr he number of fatal accidents already recorded in Western Ontario gives ample evidence of the consequences of bicyclists and motorists dropping their guard for even a split second. A family drive on Sunday resulted in the spotting of several young lads enjoying one of the most popular of spring pursuits — that of paddling down a stream or across a pond in a homemade raft. Nothing stirs the imagination more for a lad than such a trip on a sunny, spring day, but again many such jaunts end up in tragedies. The list of lurking dangers with many spring activities could be lengthened, and it appears unfortunate that such an invigorating time of year should carry more than its share of pitfalls for the unwary. However, that is unfortunately the case, and more than a few words to the wise are often necessary to be sufficient. Huron Music Festival in the district high school next week. Exeter Police Chief Reg Taylor foiled thieves in their attempt to rob Exeter District Co-op for the fourth time Thursday night. Miss Mary McKnight, Exeter, was elected vice-president of Huron Presbytery Young People's Union at the spring convention held in Goderich. Cheering their third win at the Young Canada Week tournament at Goderich Tuesday night are Exeter Pee Wees who advanced into the semi-finals of the large "B" division. Hay township council approved a $700 loan to the community centre in Zurich at a recent meeting. 10 YEARS AGO Motorists coming into Huron county on any of 12 highways may be greeted with a "welcome" sign in the future if the design is approved by the agricultural committee of Huron County council. W. G. Cochrane was elected chairman of the South Huron Hospital board following the annual meeting Monday night, Mr. & Mrs. L. G. Lawrence of Peterboro visited with the latter's sister, Mrs. Pollen and Mr. Harvey Pollen over the weekend. Mr. & ° Mrs. Whitney Coates and Wilma motored to Mt, Clemens, Mich,, and spent the weekend with Mr. & Mrs, R., H. Doherty. Miss Alexia Lostell of the Glencoe High School staff visited with her parents, Mr. & Mrs. Frank Lostell, over the weekend, want a home? get a mortgage loan! A high value first mortgage loan on a residential or improved farm property will cost you less than you think— and you can arrange for convenient payments to write it off. If the property is a good risk (and our experienced mortgage people will be glad to advise you), don't let money stand in your way. Just 'phone Victoria and Grey. - , ,i, + I) ,..- on Guaranteed "CASHABLE AT Certificates up contact your financial collect: ' MEMBER CANADA STANDARD A FEDERALLY INVEST NOW 9/o Investment Certificates. Also ANY TIME" Guaranteed Savings to 8'/2%. For further information adviser or write or telephone TRUST 214 Say Street, Toronto 1 363-5477 area code 416 CHARTERED COMPANY DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION CEPTIFICATES 235-2420 Hodgson AVAILABLE 711ROUGH Limited EXETER Wm. J. Amos Insurance LUCAN AND PARKHILL John ZURICH R. Consitt BOX 130 236.4332