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The Exeter Times-Advocate, 1973-11-29, Page 1Graham Arthur Motors was completely engulfed in flames when firemen arrived. As can be seen by this photo, flames were billowing out of doors at both ends as hoses were being connected to start the fight. .4SWYZE: This truck was being worked on by employees at the garage when the fire broke out. It had been in the bay through which the flames are shooting. The rack of tires behind the truck had been near the door and one was already on fire as firemen battle the intense heat to get near the building. Reduced hospital grants cause local budget worry 1973 rates will work out to about other hospitals of considerable $37. Miss Claypole said this is still size. considerably lower than many — Please turn to page 3 Lion's share of Lions contest won by Lion ,Fire destroys garage, camp four injured nd loss over ng units; 10.0,00.0. Damage has been estimated at over $100,000 and four persons were injured — none seriously — as the result of a blaze which completely gutted Graham Arthur Motors Tuesday af- ternoon. Graham Arthur, who operates the business with his son, Tom, sustained minor burns as he helped employees fight an un- successful battle to extinguish the blaze. The other three persons injured were members of the Exeter fire department, Norm Tait fell into the pit at the garage in one of four calls the department made to the smouldering ruins Tuesday evening. He sustained injuries to his back and ribs and is scheduled to undergo X-rays today to determine the extent of injury. He was able to walk yesterday, but with considerable difficulty. Fireman Ray Jory suffered minor burns on his neck while battling the inferno and Ted Wright fell and had a hose couplings strike him in the back. The blaze broke out around 3:00 p.m. when two employees at the garage, Carl Triebner and Martin Overholt, were emptying gasoline from the tank of a truck which had been pulled from the river near the Brand farm in Stephen Township. Driver of the truck had attempted to navigate a temporary road being used because the bridge collapsed this spring, but the vehicle became mired. Fire Chief Gary Middleton said Wednesday afternoon the reason for the gasoline and vapors being ignited has still not been determined. One of the people in the building at the time of the blaze was Peter McFalls, a member of the local fire department. He is employed by Bell Telephone and he and Harold Moffett, Clinton, were in the Bell office maintained at the garage doing inventory work. McFalls said he was standing in the showroom of the building and the first he was aware of any problem is when he heard one of the two young workmen yell, "get it out". The local fireman said he then saw Overholt race to get the fire extinguisher in the showroom and fire could be seen beneath the truck in the repair department, Graham Arthur, who was also at the front of the building, said he heard the commotion and went to investigate. The men almost had the flames under control, but the ex- tinguisher expired and the gas still dripping from the tank ex- ploded. McFalls, who had raced to the telephone to call the fire department, then saw the flames "pool up" around Graham and he raced to his telephone truck to get something to beat out the flames. He found the garage owner outside with one pant leg on fire and smothered the flames with the parka he had taken out of his telephone truck, McFalls estimated that "in less than two minutes" from the time the fire broke out, the entire building was engulfed in flames, "We were very fortunate that everyone got out," commented Graham Arthur, who was treated at hospital for minor burns to his leg and one hand, • He said a pair of long un- derwear probably saved him from second or third degree burns. The material in his pants "melted" into the underwear and not the flesh on his leg. In the building at the time in addition to those previously mentioned were Mrs. Dan McLeod, bookkeeper, and mechanic Milt Gower, Tom Arthur was up town on business when the blaze broke out. In addition to the building being 'destroyed, all the equipment, parts and many records were also lost. Mrs. McLeod managed to grab some records on her way out. Outside, a motor home was completely gutted and one travel trailer was badly scorched, The two had been parked beside the building and could not be moved quickly enough. Three snowmobiles inside the garage were also destroyed, but those outside were moved to safety by persons at the scene. Firemen had the blaze under control in about an hour, partly because it had burned with so much intensity there was little left to burn. Spot fires broke out later in the evening and had to be doused by members of the brigade. Graham and Tom Arthur announced Wednesday morning they would be open for business as usual. They had set up facilities in one of their travel trailers and were preparing for pumping gasoline as well as retailing their snowmobiles and travel trailers. Graham said he and his son would probably rebuild some type of structure on the premises. One Hundred and First Year EXETER, ONTARIO, NOVEMBER 29, 1973 Price Per Copy 25 Cents Petroleum crisis hits district firms ' Right now it isn't going to get, any better, if not worse," said Mr. De Boer. "I can't see any improvement at least before Christmas, And in the total outlook for '74 I can't see any way those four are going to get back." As'of yet, there have been, no— lay-offs at Daymond Plastics in HuronPark but a spokesman for the firm said that production "has slowed down considerably" because of a shortage of raw materials. "It has affected the whole plastics industry," he said. The uncertainty of gasoline and oil supplies in North America prompted a lay-off last week of about 30 of the 65 workers who make camper trailers at Star- craft Recreational Products Ltd. in Listowel. Two area men Grant reductions to hospitals announced recently by the provincial ministry of health have hit many area hospitals where it hurts - in the pocket book - and South Huron Hospital in Exeter is no exception. Although SH Hospital Administrator Alice Claypole has not yet finished working on the budget, she said she is "not going to be able to make it in 7,9 That's for sure". Miss Claypole was referring to the 7.9 percent increase in ex- penditures allowed to the hospital from the 1973 budget to the 1974 budget. "Everything's going up!" said Miss Claypole. "Food's going up. heat's up; unemployment in- surance is up, which will affect the salaries". As far as energy conservation is concerned, Miss Claypole said she doesn't think the hospital will be ask to cut back. "I don't see how we can," she said. "We won't use any more than we have to though," she added. Although the final budget has not been worked out yet, Miss Claypole said she thinks the "room rate will have to go up to cover the budget cuts", although she did not know by how much. The 1972 rate for a room was $36.20 per diem and the ad- ministrator estimated that the Murder suspect is given remand Lloyd George Salter, RR 3, Kippen, charged with non-capital murder in the death of Mrs. Jane Burton IVIcMurtrie, was remanded in custody when he appeared in Goderich court, Thursday. Salter was returned to the Stratford jail and will make another appearance today, It is expected he will again be remanded. The Kippen area man was arrested on November g0 and charged with the murder of Mrs, McMurtire, whose naked body was found in the upstairs bedroom of her Hensall home on October 5, She had been sexually assaulted and strangled, Anyone who doesn't believe there really is a world petroleum crisis should ask the employees at Hall Lamp Co. of Canada Ltd. in Huron Park. About 350 of that firm's em- ployees were temporarily laid off work Tuesday and Wednesday because of a shortage of plastics. The workers are assembly line workers, most of them women, who make tail and turn-signal lights for the auto industry. Dave McKinzey, plant manager at Hall Lamp, said there is "a good possibility they'll be called back early next week. There's also the possibility the callback will be as early as Friday," he said. The layoff was unexpected and was ordered from the parent company, C.M. Hall Lamp Co. Ltd., of Detroit about 2 p.m. Tuesday. Mr. McKinzey said he doesn't foresee further layoffs before Christmas once the workers are called back. The plant, which has been operating out of the Huron Park since 1968 manufactures lights for Ford, Chrysler, Massey Ferguson, American Motors, Allis Chalmers and Jeep. About 80 percent of its products are exported to the United States. The 45 salaried supervisory and office personnel will continue work at the plant. Hall Lamp is not the only area industry affected, however. Four employees of Big "0" Plastics in Hensall have been laid off for eight weeks and General Manager Sybren De Boer says that production at the Hensall plant has been cut back by 30 percent, In that firm's Quebec plant, 50 persons have been laid off, also because of the shortage of • polyethlene. Because of the small labor involvement, not "that many" people right in the plant are af- fected, said Mr. De Boer. He added, however that as a direct result of the production cut in Quebec, 50 drainage contractors have been put out of work because they can't get the tile. roadworthy and he presented a falsified certificate of fitness. It was found the signatures on the certificate were forged. The vehicle in question did get on the road and subsequently was involved in an accident. It had faulty brakes. Only one crash on district roads Only one accident was in- vestigated by the Exeter OPP detachment officers this week. It occurred at 3:00 p.m., Friday when a car driven by Marlene Charters, RR 3, Kippen and a pickup operated by George Edmunds, London collided on Highway 4 at the junction of King St. in Hensall. Corstable Don Mason in- vestigated and set damage at $900, During the past week, the local detachment officers charged six people under the Highway Traffic Act and issued warnings to another 11. There were seven charges under the Criminal Code and four under the Liquor Control Act. In an accident reported last week, an incorrect time was shown. A collision between Margaret Kinghorn and Elaine Archer occurred at 1:05 pan, Sunday ,and not 1:05 a,m, as printed. We apologize for the error, jailed Judge Hays, in handing down his decision termed the situation "terrible, terrible." The other jail term was given to Gary Allan Beirling, Parkhill. He pleaded guilty to driving while his licence was under suspension. It was his second offence and he said he had driven because his companions were too drunk to drive. Beirling was given a jail term of 21 days and a further licence suspension of six months. Also receiving a licence suspension was Lorne Thomas Appel, Chatham, who pleaded guilty of driving while his alcohol content was over 80 mgs. He was fined $100 and the suspension was for three months. Other penalties handed down by Judge Hays and Justice of the Peace Douglas Wedlake were as follows: James I Parker, Huron Park, $28 for having liquor in a place other than his residence. Vernon L. Benedict, Zurich, $23 for having no name on a com- mercial vehicle. Jacob Hovius, Hay Township, $18 for a speed of 56 in a 40 zone, Donald Earl Wilson, Centralia, $43 for failing, to stop at a stop sign. William Herbert Inch, Exeter, $63 for having liquor in a place other than his residence, It Was his second conviction, Jack A, Bird, Parkhill, $35 for having liquor while under the legal age. Murray Moore, a former president of the Exeter Lions, won the club's annual Grey Cup raffle as he held the winning ticket on Sunday's game between Ottawa and Edmonton. First prize was worth $300. Winners of the first three period scores have not been revealed as yet. The $50 prize for selling the winning ticket stays with the Lions to add to their returns on the project. Moore had won the ticket in a raffle at a Lions meeting. At their meeting, Thursday, the Lions played host to deputy district governor, Richard Erb. He commended the local club on its record of new members and the enthusiasm being shown within the organization. With seven new members, the club has one of the best records in the district. Recent newcomers include Sawaran Singh, Jim McDonald, Herb Piper, Lavern Hamilton and Peter Mason. Doug Knowles and Jim Smith have joined the club as transfers from Amher- stburg and Meriton, respectively. Member Larry Snider advised the meeting that the recent canvass for the CNIB had realized $2,900, including that which had been raised by the Elimville WI. This exceeds last year's total for the blind by $1,000. It was also reported that plans for the February 5 Sportsmen's Dinner are proceeding, with two celebrities already indicating they will attend. They are Lou Fontinato, for- mer NHL star who was one of the league's best known "bad men", and Mac Cuddy, Strathroy horse breeder, The latter has some of the top racers in Canada. Damage is high in town crashes Damages were listed at $4,000 and one person suffered minor injuries in a three car accident on Main street, just north of Gidley early Friday afternoon. The drivers of the vehicles involved were James Siddall, RR 1, Kirkton; Mrs. Joanne Acton, RR 1, Exeter and Leo J. Granton, 677 Walkers Line, Burlington. Mrs. Action was treated at South Huron Hospital for minor bruises and released. Constable John Goarley investigated. The first two accidents on Saturday occurred in the early morning hours on Thames Road east when a vehicle driven by Martin Overholt, Centralia went out of control and struck a tree. Constable Jim McMeekin set total damages at $800. Saturday afternoon, vehicles driven by Robert Forrest, 54 Gidley street, Exeter and Marlene Wilcox, RR 1, Crediton were involved in a mishap on Main street near Baldwin. A fire hydrant was broken off and total damages were set at $1,000 by Constable Goarley, The travel trailer in the left foreground and the motor home behind it were also heavily damaged in Tuesday's fire. The motor home was gutted. Licences suspended too Two men were sentenced to jail terms when they appeared before Judge Glenn Hays in Exeter court, Tuesday. Steven W. Mathers, Exeter was given a 30-day jail term and had his licence suspended for three months after pleading guilty to a false statement while applying for the purchase of license plates from the ministry of tran- sportation and communications. The vehicle for which Mathers was seeking the licence was not Graham Arthur, front foreground, is assisted by Don MacGregor as he makes his way to South Huron Hospital for treatment of burns to his right leg, In the centre of the photo, Mrs. Torn Arthur, arriving from her nearby home holds her hands to her Mouth as she views the scene of the burning garage and her injured father-in.law, Fireman Harold Brintnell rates to the scene eh the left, while two unidentified firemen connect hoses on the right, 1 , ,J. 4