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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Exeter Times-Advocate, 1977-09-29, Page 1Millions of dollars already lost About 10 percent harvested HOPE FADING FOR AREA BEANS Damage to the area's white bean crop has continued to mount again this week with the almost daily rains, and only ideal con- ditions for the next week will result in any of the crop being salvaged, Mill operators, crop insurance spokesmen and bean board members are being guarded in their comments, while many area farmers are already suggesting their fields are almost total losses. There is little doubt that the crop has already' suf- fered severe losses and unless those favorable weather con- ditions arrive, there will be an almost total loss, Some indication of the Seriousness of the situation can be gleaned from the agricultural statistics for Ontario in 1976. The bean crop in Huron last year was valued at $12,672,000 and in Perth it was $5,610,000. The value of last year's white bean crop in Mid- dlesex was listed at $5,346,000. It had been expected that the value of the crops in the three counties this year would be • around $25,000,000. So far, only about 10 percent Of that crop has been harvested. What hope is there for the remaining 90 percent? The answer depends on who's making the estimate, but a consensus of opinion would in- dicate that from 30 to 50 percent of those beans will never be harvested. They are primarily the early Seafarer variety and little hope is held out for them. With ideal weather conditions, the balance could still be har- vested, although the quality isn't expected to be choice, and con- siderable loss will be evident, In fact, one expert said half of the beans that may still be harvested won't be much good, Industry spokesmen indicate that one of the main problems may be in getting the farmers to even attempt harvesting beans, particularly those who have crop insurance. They pointed out, however, that farmers should make that at- tempt to salvage as much of the crop as possible to meet market commitments, and to reduce their personal losses. "Frankly, I still feel there are good beans in the field," com- mented Wally Bain, of the Ontario C.rop Insurance Commission in Stratford. fit "We don't want to see good beans plowed down," he con- tinued, noting that dry weather may still result in some reasonable yields in view of the fact an above-average yield had originally been .projected. "The next few days will tell the tale," he said, echoing comments of spokesmen at area mills who said they didn't want to be quoted because the next few days would be critical and could change the outlook to a considerable degree. Bain did emphasize that he wanted to dispel the rumor that the Crop Insurance Commission would not be able to meet the sizeable crop losses that are already evident. "That's ridiculous," he said, explaining that the Commission draws money from the provincial treasury if premiums do not cover the losses. He said farmers in the area covered by his office include all of Huron and Perth along with the north part of Middlesex. Bain said the total premiums paid by the 1,432 farmers covered was about $474,600 and the liability represented by those crop insurance policies was $12,800,000. The degree of coverage carried by farmers varies considerably, but Bain estimated about 86,000 acres of beans are covered by insurance, Last year, the total 110 acreage in beans in the three area counties was around 114,000. The Ontario Bean Producers Marketing Board revised their forecast for the bean crop downward to almost half on Monday. Al Magrath, their marketing analyst, said that the forecast was now for only 1,200,000 100- pound bags. Originally, it had c'ahe exeferciainies-Aitmocafe been for 2,500,000. He estimated that the reduced yield would represent a loss of $16,000,000 to $17,000,000 for Ontario's 3,500 bean-growers, The board made a rough guess last week that about 60 percent had insured their bean .crops. Mr, Magrath said that the present estimate was that about 800 pounds to the acre had been lost because of heavy persistent rains. Roughly the same number of pounds would remain to. be harvested. "We need two weeks of good weather," he said, "It's very frustrating." The board is hoping that far- mers will take off as much of the remaining crop as possible. It withdrew from the market Mondax, September 19, when over 800,000 bags had been sold but only 300,000 had been har- vested. "No matter how bad it is here," said Mr. Magrath, "it's twice or three times as bad at farm level." He predicted a chain of Consequences throughout the agricultural industry as a result of farmers' disappointment in what had first looked like a record crop, Michigan has fared better than Ontario, Bean growers there expect to harvest close to 5,000,000 bags - an increase over last year's harvest. They escaped the disastrous combination of warm weather, rain and humidity that has caused many Ontario bean fields to turn moldy. Mr. Magrath said that if Michigan beans deteriorated, there could well be world-wide market repercussions, Michigan had at first anticipated a harvest of 5.9 million bags this year, One Hundred and Fifth Year Price Per Copy 25 Cents EXETER, ONTARIO, SEPTEMBER 29, 1977 collision Area youth killed in head-on I'M STILL HERE—Lynne Hern had little opportunity to stray while her mother Mrs. Lorne Hern worked nearby in preparing exhibits at the Ex- eter Fair, Friday. T-A Photo County supports hospital addition NEWCOMERS INITIATED — Friday was Initiation Day for all grade nine students at South Huron District High School and diapers were mandatory. Shown from the left are Michele Veri, Lori Flynn, Rebecca Jantzi and Edwin Cosman. ' 'F-A photoYM Nineteen-year old Robert Lee Road. He was the son of Mr. and Gingerich of RR 2 Zurich died Mrs, Edgar Gingerich. A funeral last Thursday morning in a two- was held on Sunday. car head-on collisionion highway The driver of the other car was 4, one mile south of the Vanastra Ray Mathers, 27, of Goderich, who was taken to London's St. Joseph'syloapital, where he was reported in satisfactory con- dition. Only three accidents were investigated by the Exeter OPP this week and damage was comparatively low in them all. No injuries were reported. On Sunday, a vehicle driven by - John Munroe, Napanee, struck a parked trailer on Highway 83 west of the Highway 21 junction. The trailer was owned by John Bullock, RR 3 Dashwood. Constable Bill Lewis in- vestigated and set damage at $700. There was one accident on Saturday, involving vehicles driven by Margaret Prebble, Ilder ton, and Anthony Corriveau, London. They collided at the Highway 84 intersection of concession 14-15 of Hay township. Damage was listed at $700 by Constable Wally Tomasik. The other accident was reported on Wednesday, when a vehicle operated by Rick Bilcke, RR 3 Exeter, collided with a parked car on King Street, Crediton, Damage in that collision was set at $275 by Constable Frank Giffin. During the week, the detach- ment officers laid 25 charges under the Highway Traffic Act, six under the Liquor Licence Act, three under the Criminal Code and one under the Narcotic Control Act. Chainway will close, Pizza Factory coming bomber made up a Legion display at the Goderich airport, and at one time were open to free inspection by visitors. However, it became increasingly difficult to protect the ,display from vandals and this year the bomber was sold and removed from the area. The Huron County property committee will work with the Goderich Legion members to incorporate their suggestions into the new museum exhibit and a plaque will be unveiled next year, In other business, council agreed to file no objections to a proposal to designate the former Huron County jail and the jail residence as a heritage building under the Ontario Heritage Act. Such designation, the councillors learned, was vital to ensuring the jail's preservation for the future, There was considerable ac- tivity this week on the Exeter business beat. Chainway Stores announced they will be closing the local store. A store-wide clearance is scheduled. A supervisor for the firm told the T-A that all 22 Chainway Stores in Ontario were being closed down by the end of the Area thefts investigated year, Seven have already been closed. Meanwhile, across the street, work is progressing on the renovation and addition to the former Madhatter Arcade, Cecil Lewis and Sons of Lucan reported that the building will now house a Pizza Factory franchised outlet, Mr. Lewis said the building will be licensed and willhave a seating Show assists rec centre Hensall arranges fund raising event A profit of $871.71 was realized from Sunday's country and western jamboree staged in con- junction.withthe Exeter fair. The event attracted a large crowd of enthusiasts who were entertained by some of the top bands in this area. Profits from the event will be turned over to the South Huron Recreation Centre fund. Fair board spokesmen this week extended their thanks to all the bands who participated and the people who attended or helped organize the event. capacity for 100 people. The name of the franchise holder for the fast-growing chain has not yet been announced. The three apartments above the store are also being renovated and an addition is being put on the back of the building. This week, Exeter council approved the move of Thomas Organs from their Main St, location to the house on the north- east corner of Sanders and Andrew Streets. The decision was made at a special meeting of council on Monday. It was also learned that a discussion was held at that meeting on plans for a com- mercial outlet in the vicinity of the Highway 4 and 83 in- tersection. The press was excluded from Monday night's session, First readings for Stephen plain Stephen township council has given first and second 'readings to a proposed secondary plan for the municipality, A number of meetings on the plan were held throughout the township during the past year. Clerk Wilmer Wein said it may be almost a year until 'final reading is given but added, "The first two readings will allow the Huron Land Division Committee to deal with land severance applications using our recommendations." Wein said the main difference would be that the Stephen secon- dary plan would allow only one severance for each original lot in rural areas which were listed when the township was formed. Proper subdivisions in built-up areas will be allowed to establish more lots. Council gave their approval to two land severance applications which will then be dealt with by the .Iuron land division com- mittee, They were for Lloyd Willert at Lot 19, Concession 13 and Bill Snell, Lot 20, Plan 8 in the police village of Centralia. The Guelph engineering firm of Gamsby and Mannerow will be authorized to do a survey for a new municipal drain as re- quested by a petition from Hubert Carey, Pat McKeever, Jack McCann and Gerald O'Brien on Lots 3 and 4, Concessions 13 and 14 and Lot 26, South Boundary Concession. Engineer C.P. Corbett was named to prepare a report for repair of the Victoria Street drain in the police village of Crediton. Council decided not to par- ticipate in the Huron County benefit plan which includes medical and insurance benefits. They increased the township's own group life insurance plan to $20,000. The municipality pays 50 per cent of the premiums for employees. A grant of $15 per month will be made to the pre-school nursery for the retarded for any children from Stephen attending. l'he school is located in the Alhambra Hall in Bosanquet township. A grant of $10 was approved for the St. John's Ambulance Corps. WIN DRAWS Bob Tindall, R.R. 1 Lucan, won the top prize in the Exeter fall fair draw. He took home a hind of beef donated by Exeter District Co-Op. Phyllis Broadhead, St. Thomas, won a aide of pork donated by Lippert's Trucking and Verna Bower, Exeter, copped the side of lamb provided by Quality Produce. The other three winners were: Gary Kerr, R.R. 6, Goderich, winner of a case of Oil donated by Roy Pepper; Roy Ferguson, Ex- eter, a turkey donated by Hayter's Turkey Farm; and Mark Winegarden, London, a bushel of apples donated by Frank Sawyer. South Huron Hospital in Exeter has received the approval of Huron County Council to proceed with building plans and to expect financial support from the county of up to 25 percent of provincial approved costs, to a maximum of $150,000. The original hospital which was a house constructed in 1856 will be removed to make way for a new emergency and out-patients facility. The projected cost for the project is $598,000 and the hospital board has expressed confidence the building costs will not exceed that amount. The hospital already has a fund of between $425,000 and $450,000 for the work. The addition to South Huron Hospital will proceed under Ontario Regulation 61,1977 which means the province will have no financial share in the building. The South Huron Hospital Board has to make a specific com- mitment as well, that no ad- ditional operating costs will result from the building program. The Social Services committee is expecting to be well over budget by the end of 1977, Due to continued high unemployment and increased rates in most areas of the social services depart- ment, the financial report for the period ending July 31, 1977 shows expenditure of $230,320.85 or about $10,000 over budget. "It is expected this trend will continue for the balance of 1977," said Chairman J.R. Bunking, The administrator of Huron- view was authorized to par- ticipate in an Outreach Program, operated by the Huron Com- mittee for the Home Bound to provide day care for the elderly. The program will be financed by the Province of Ontario for a two-year period. The Huronview van will be used as required, and meals will be provided at a reasonable cost. All costs will be recovered from the Outreach group. About 300 in Huron County could be potential users of this service. according to Mrs. Betty Cardno of Seaforth, a member of the committee. Huron County Pioneer Museum will receive a gift from the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 109, Goderich, That gift will be the Sherman Tank 78901 presently located at the Goderich airport. The tank and a Lancaster ;three thefts were reported to the Exeter OPP this week. On Sunday, Winston Porter, Agincourt, reported the loss of a CB radio and aerial from his ear which was parked beside a cabin at Oakwood Inn. The equipment was valued at $275 and the theft is being in- vestigated by Constable Don Mason. He was also in charge of the investigation into a theft of a hub cap from Miller Auto Wreckers in Stephen Township on Wed- nesday. It was valued at $15 and has been recovered. Charges are pending, The other theft involved a 12- volt battery stolen from a car owned by Glens Tripp, Huron Park, It was removed from her vehicle over the weekend. It was vlaued at $20 and the incident is being investigated by Constable Dale Lamont. Damage of $300 was reported to two vehicles at Huron Motor Products in Zurich over the weekend. A 1973 Buick was en- tered and damaged when an attempt was made to remove a radio, A mirror was also ripped off a truck on the lot. Police are also investigating a false fire alarm at Huron Park on Wednesday. The call was placed through a telephone operator, Brian Richman. Just added to the list, and not included in the special insert in this issue, is a dunking machine. Reeve Harold Knight and area finance chairman Eric Luther will be among those whom people can send for a splash. A skeet shoot rounds out Saturday's program at 2:00 p.m. On Sunday, the Legion are sponsoring a bike-a-thon over a 12-mile route with the event slated to start at 1.00 p.m. The Hensall K-40 club will have a food booth at the park grounds throughout Saturday's program and there will also be a display of Bendix recreational vehicles on the grounds. Hensell organizations will be conducting a number of activities this weekend to give their arena fund a _push, Included on the program is an auction sale of the building materials from the old arena which is being torn down, That sale starts at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, and will be followed by an auction •of antiques and miscellaneous items sponsored by the Hensall Curling Club. The United Church Women are staging a bake sale at the park • pavilion and the Legion Auxiliary are sponsoring a sale of photographs at the Legion Hall. The photographs are from the collection of area photographer BREAD CUTTING TEST — A feature of the Friday nightprograrn of the Exeter Fair was a bread cutting contest, Eight area men par- ticipated in slicing freshly baked loaves of bread under the supervision of Exeter baker Cliff Erstnan. At the left Ersmon observes the abilities of Bob McKinley, Bob Down, Howard l'ym and Bruce Shaw. Above, Shaw who Wen one division congratulates the overall champion Usborne Reeve Bill Morley. Shown in action at the right are Bob Hern, Cecil Desjardine, Bill Morley and Bruce Shapton, T.A photo