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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Exeter Times-Advocate, 1972-09-28, Page 1Fires destroy two barns, Zurich snack ba i • I • • pectators watched the barn fire at the farm of John Simpson Two English visitors hurt in area crash Price Per Copy 20 Cents Damage was high in three fires in the area this week. Upwards of $50,000 in damages resulted Sunday evening when fire completely destroyed a large barn complex on the farm of John Simpson, north of Kirkton, Sunday afternoon, an empty barn on the farm of Roy Comfort, just south of Shipka on Con- cession 17 of Stephen township wps levelled. Rose's Service Station in Zurich was gutted by a blaze about 7,30 Friday morning, Save cattle While three buildings were destroyed on the Simpson farm located at Lot 3, West Boundary Exeter council will complete a deal shortly for the purchase of the former Dobbs Motors building from the Sun Oil Company. Purchase price has been set at $29,200. At a special meeting, Monday, council approved purchase of the building after Exeter firemen made known their wishes to have the structure for a fire hall. A week ago, Fire Chief Gary Middleton and two other members of the brigade, Don Wells and Roy Hunter, met vu!th council and said the former service station would be ideal for a fire hall. They said it would require Minimum in renovations and indicated that the firemen would undertake Most of the work themselves. A committee of council and firemen viewed the Concession of 131anshard town- ship all cattle were safely removed from the main barn. The fire was first spotted by passing motorists shortly after eight o'clock Sunday night. The Simpson family was away at the time visiting in Clandeboye and Were quickly notified by neigh- bours, One of the first motorists on the scene was Red McConville of London, A neighbour Wilf Paton was summoned by other passers- by. Under the direction of Paton, volunteers including an Usborne township midget ball team gathering at the Kirkton park for 0 ball game were able to get 21 feeder cattle and two calves to safety. some contact with police forces in other jurisdictions, The Commission also solves certain difficulties which may crop up in police forces in Ontario. At the present time, a com- mittee is studying the function of the Commission and police forces in Ontario and the Exeter lawyer said there may be some changes or additions to the Commission's functions when the report is finalized. Mr. Bell has been a partner in the law firm of Bell & Laughton since 1946, coming to Exeter following distinguished service with the Canadian Forces in World War II. He has been active in many segments of the life of Exeter and Huron County, in addition to his political activities. He was first president of the South Huron Hospital board and was one of the, driving forces behind the establishment of the hospital. Mr. Bell also served on the South Huron District High School board, is a past president of the Huron Bar Association and the Huron Tuberculosis Association. His new position carries a salary of $32,000 and he in- dicated he sees his term lasting up to five years. structure Thursday and the committee recommended that negotiations be undertaken for the purchase. Councillor Helen Jermyn, a member of the area fire board, said Monday the facilities would be ideal and there would even be room for another unit, which council members have indicated may be purchased in the near future. At the meeting, there was art indication that Sun Oil wanted tci sell the property with a provision that they would have an opportunity to re-purchase it if council considered selling it in the future as a service station. Mayor Jack Deibridge said "this council wouldn't want to sell it in-the future for a service station", "There are too many here now," he added, Simpson said the feeder cattle were heifers and were near market weight, Most of the farm's machinery was also rescued from the blaze which apparently started in the upstairs of the barn- Cause of the fire is unknown. Lost in the blaze was a milking machine, a bulk tank, other milking equipment, a hammer mill and small barn tools, The Exeter fire department was first on the scene having been called by a passing motorist. The Mitchell depart- ment arrived shortly after to assist in saving the nearby house. Trees near the house were on fire Youngster hurt in auto collision A young Exeter boy received minor injuries when he was in- volved in a collision with a motor vehicle on Main street, just north of Sanders early Saturday af- ternoon, Jeffrey Boyle, aged five of 88 Sanders street was taken to South Huron Hospital and treated for minor head lacerations. He was later released. The driver of the vehicle was Charles Leach, RR 6 London. Exeter Police Chief Ted Day investigated. The second accident of the week occurred Tuesday when a motor vehicle driven by Dr. Richard Roelofson, 133 Huron street-was involved in a collision at the bridge on Main street north. Constable George Robertson reported no injuries but listed damages at $2,500. , County council may be larger Because the age of the voter has been lowered, Huron County Council is facing an ac- commodation problem. There could be several new deputy- reeves at County Council next year after the fall elections. It was learned that if a municipality has over 1,000 voters, a deputy-reeve must be named. Townships -which. could be affected are Morris, Grey, McKillop, Hullett and Usborne. And county council is also feeling the pinch as far as "pin money" is concerned. "In view of the fluctuation in the price of gold at the present time," the executive committee report said, "the committee feels the cost for County Council pins is out of line and recommends no further action," Apparently Huron's councillors had planned to spruce up, for at the end of council session Friday it was learned that the cost of jackets for county councillors was $90 each. "Now we know how much money the fellows have who wear them," said one councillor. There was no action on the jackets either. Two drivers were fined $100 each when they pleaded guilty to charges of careless driving before Judge' Glenn Hays in Exeter, Tuesday. Lawrence J. Smith, Neveda, U.S.A., was charged following an accident on July 22. Police stated he made a turn Members of council said they would not want to place stipulations on any future council, but agreed the request from Sun Oil could be met without any problems, At Monday's meeting, council had apprOved submitting a bid of only $28,000 for the structure, but after negotiations were conducted later hi the evening with Max Dawson, the bid Was increased to $29,200 and accepted, The company had been asking $30,700, Mr. Dawson, a resident of Exeter, is manager of Ross Scott Fuels in grucefield, a division of the Sun Oil Company. It is expected the firemen will take possession of the new building within twO weeks. several times but were mainly responsible for keeping Sparks away from the house. The main hank barn was 40 by 60 feet with a milk house of 12 by 28 feet and 0 new addition built fseeevteral years ago was 36 by 48 Two large silos attached to the barns were also affected by the fire and heat. The owner said Tuesday night that one of the siloscolwiwoiollnh. have to be torn down but the largest one built about four years ago may be in satisfactory The main barn was full to the roof with baled hay and straw, Also lost was six tons of shelled corn and a ton of concentrate. Wilf Paton, one of the first at the fire was overcome by smoke and was treated and taken to his home by a Hoffman Ambulance. Later in the night he was taken by his wife to the St. Marys hospital for examination but was released Ninety-eighth Year Dr. Frank Mills, Medical Officer of Health for Huron County, says his department is not interested in the morals or the private actions of people. "We're only interested in the control of venereal disease," said Mills. He said according to the national averages, Huron should have about 200 cases of VD. onto a side street in Grand Bend without signalling and then proceeded into Stephen Township towards Dashwood at a high rate of speed, His car went into the ditch and was wrecked, while Smith sustained serious injuries. The court learned no other traffic was affected although he was a menace on the road. Donald Campbell, Exeter, was the other driver fined $100. He was involved in an accident on June 11 when he ran into the rear of a pickup truck which was making a turn ahead of him. Evidence revealed the accused had been drinking prior to the accident but he was not impaired. Two persons were also fined for having liquor while under the legal age of 18. Gary Earl Gass, Hensall, was fined $35 for having liquor in Hensall on August 26 and Michael Anderson, Parkhill, paid a similar amount for having liquor in Stephen on the same date. In other cases, the following fines were levied by Judge Hays: Philippe R. Dzioba, Exeter, Was fined $35 for following another vehicle too closely, lie was involved in an accident in Exeter on August 12 when he ran into the rear of a car driven by Richard Schwartzetitruber, Exeter. The latter's car then hit a parked vehicle, Total damage in the crash was over $2,000. Richard A, Taylor, Grand Bend, Was fined $13 for speeding at a rate of 70 in A 60 zone. Richard Y. Giles, Hunting Woods, Michigan, was fined $10 for a speed of 35 in a 30 zone. John Kirk Beecroft, Exeter, was fined 00 for creating Un- necessary noise with his vehicle in Exeter on August 1. and returned home. Simpson plans some rebuilding this fall to house his cattle. The barns were partially covered by insurance. The fire attracted hundreds of spectators. Both sides of High- way 23 were lined with cars for at least a mile in each direction. Station gutted Zurich Fire Chief Mae Klopp estimated damages of $20,000 to the building and $7,000 to contents in the fire which destroyed the Zurich service station and snack bar owned by Mrs, Laurena Rose At the Shipka area fire Sunday afternoon, Dashwood fire chief Emil Becker reports the barn 30 15 feet was empty and had not been in use for some time. The Dashwood brigade were able to keep the flames from spreading to the nearby house. Cause of the blaze is unknown. "There are 26,000 cases in Canada '-- the ones we know about."said Mills, "and we have our share." He said it had come to attention that people go "out of the county" for treatment rather than risk people knowing their affliction. Medical practitioners, he said, were duty bound to report cases of venereal disease to the local health department. "For one reason or another then," concluded the doctor, "only a small percentage of the actual number of cases of venereal disease in Huron are reported to our office." The MOH also reported that rabies is on the increase in Huron, The disease is up by about 52 percent, he said. He urged people to take advantage of the free rabies clinics throughout the county. "Rabies is a controlable problem," he said. Dr. Mills also spoke briefly about the new clinics for senior citizens across Huron and said there has been "heavy at- tendance". He described it as a "successful program"whicligives much "personal satisfaction". At the present time, Dr reported, about 40 patients are under care at any one time by the Home Care Program. "Those are 40 persons not occupying space in local hospitals," said Dr. Mills. He said it was costing about $7 per diem for home care as op- posed to about $50 per day average in hospital. Kin to show snowmobiles The Exeter Kinsmen will be staging a showing of the 1973 snowmobiles next week and it could be the largest show in Ontario. Chairman Gary Spencer reported this week that a total of 25 manufacturers will be representod in the show slated for Saturday, October 7. Dealers from throughout the area and as far away as London and Strathroy will be on hand with display models. The show, to be held in the arena, will also feature two beauties. Miss Kinfest, Lois Porter, and Miss Western Ontario, Joanne Burke, will be on. hand at the show, Two women from England, were seriously injured in a two- car crash on Highway 83, about one mile east of Exeter at 5:40 p.m., Friday. Marion Baines, 70, of Norfolk, England, was admitted to St. Joseph's Hospital with head cuts, a hip injury and a broken arm. Her daughter, also of Norfolk, Betty Lawrence, 30, was ad- mitted to the same hospital with a broken arm. Driver of the car was Marion Dennis, RR 8, Parkhill, another daughter of Mrs. Baines. She sustained cuts and bruises, Driver of the second car was Clarence Fairbairn, Exeter, who also suffered cuts and bruises and was released after treatment at South Huron Hospital, Friday evening, The crash occurred at the in- tersection of Highway 83 and concession 2-3 of Usborne. The women were proceeding west on Highway 83. OPP Constable Ed Wilcox investigated and listed total property damage at $2,800. Damage was also reported to a farm fence owned by Robert Frayne. On the same date, property damage of $900 was reported when a car driven by Colin Brewer, RR 3 Ailsa Craig went through a ditch and struck a farm fence owned by Taskel Lewis at the intersection of the Mount Carmel Road and Victoria St., Centralia. Brewer had been proceeding south on Victoria St, prior to the crash, Constable Frank Giffin in- vestigated. At 6:00 p.m., Saturday, a two- car crash was investigated at the intersection of Highway 4 and the Kirkton Road. Drivers involved were Nelson Bast, RR 7, St. Marys, and James Myer, Wingham. Both vehicles had been proceeding south when the rear- end collision occurred. Total damage was listed at $300 by Contable Wilcox. Damage of $400 was reported in a single car accident at 8:15 p.m., Sunday. John Constable, RR 1, Exeter, was proceeding to the fire at the Simpson farm near Kirkton when he skidded into a ditch at the intersection of the Usborne-Fullarton Townline and Huron St. Damage of $10 was also reported to a farm fence owned by Otto Sawyer, RR 1, Kirkton, The final crash occurred on Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. when a trailer being hauled by Edward Bax, RR 1, Woodham, came unhitched while he was proceeding westeoro.the. Crediton — Please turn to page 3 Huron- viarden third in contest Former prime minister John Diefenbaker officially opened the 1972 International Plowing Match at Sebringville, Tuesday. The scene was similar to the last visit to the area by the match. It was raining and spectators had to wade through mud to make their way around the spacious tented city. When the match was held in Seaforth in 1966, the entire site became a sea of mud for the duration of the match. Huron County warden Elmer Hayter, Stanley Township, placed third in Tuesday's class for wardens. The county heads from across Ontario used horses and walking plows in the com- petition. Clare Paton, RR 2 Lucan, walked off with top honors in a class for tractors plowing two or more furrows. New jobs given three from town The Honourable Charles MacNaughton, Huron MPP, has announced the appointment of a new clerk and a new bailiff for the small claims court at Exeter. Mrs. Grace Farquhar, 20 Sanders W., will serve as the clerk, and Mr. Donald Wellse65 Victoria Street W., has been named bailiff of the court, of- ficially designated as the Fifth Small Claims Court, County of Huron. They succeed William H. Musser, who -held both positions prior to his recent appointment as the local registrar, Supreme Court of Ontario: county court clerk and surrogate registrar, f or the County of Huron. Mr. Musser has taken over the position formerly held for many years by Mrs. Jean Clements, who retired on June 30. The office is in the Huron County courthouse in Goderich, Exeter lawyer Elmer D. Bell, Q.C., was named the new • chairman of the Ontario Police Commission, Tuesday. Ontario Premier William Davis made the announcement in Toronto, saying Mr. Bell would replace Percy Milligan on October 1. • The 63-year-old Exeter lawyer, a past president of the Ontario Progressive Conservative Association, announced he would give up his Exeter practice to take on,the chairmanship, Contacted by the T-A Wed- nesday, Mr. Bell said he would continue to conduct his law practice on a part-time basis for awhile. He said he has already started to look for someone to replace him. "I anticipate having a replacement in the office shor- tly," he said. While he will be Working out of Toronto, Mr. Bell reported he would be maintaining his home in Exeter. "I consider the position a real challenge," he stated, "Obviously it is, or I wouldn't ▪ take it," The work of the three-man Commission involves the co- ordination of all police forces in the Province as well as having ELMER D. BELL ... Commission chairman Elmer Bell named police group head To purchase Sunoco for Exeter fire station :i,Aft-14/Mt.aes;PSiezrie:MgeriaMeeeeereetteeeteaezeksets...pi:meleAte,GaigiffA.30.RKge Driver fined $100 for careless driving Hundreds o CHURCH FLOAT WINS PRIZE Second prize in the club or organization section of Saturday's Exeter Fall Fair parade was won by this float entertetbr tit o BlYntitt anti Peritte"OstetSufilley'Schotels: MOH cites concern over rabies and V EXETER PAIR QUEEN CONTESTANTS Anne Morrissey was named 1972 Exeter Pall Fair Queen Friday night and Darlene Porter was rtirtnet-tip. Shown grouped around the two winners arc from the EXETER, ONTARIO, SEPTEMBER 28, 1972 left, Fiona Kennedy, Sandra Stock, Brenda Faiter, Darlene Passmore, Georgina Obre, Kathy Wells and Sandra Munn. T-A photo