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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Brussels Post, 1972-06-28, Page 34CONGRATULATIONS to the VILLAGE of BRUSSELS On their 100th Birthday. We would also like welcome the visitors who have come to enjoy the celebrations with us. McCutcheon Grocery PHONE 887-9445 z Stone gateway marks Fan Fair Centennial in 1961 (c011tintled from Page WO treasurer Mr, Daniel Stewart,. declined re -electIoN He had sold his farm and, was moving away, Mr. W. H, Kerr became his successor, Mr, Stewart had been secre- tary,treasurer of East Huron, sipce it was organized and also sec.-treas. of Grey branch for many years. The paper stated he had been connected with Agri- cultural Society work for 40 years. Later that year the Directors decided to repair the Agricultural' Hall on condition that the cost did not exceed $300. The contract for putting a new roof on building and making other necessary repairs Was awarded to Arthur McNaugh- ton. The old office for the secre- tary was pulled down and a new, modern one built in its place, and a gravel walk put in front .of it Ninety yards of cotton .clotbt had .been, procured and placed on the westerly wall for the ladies Work. It was, found that this' amount did not accommodate near all the exhibits, in this glass!' which came from as far away as Goderich and Newmarket, It' is the first .time recorded that ladies assisted in .setting up and.' displaying exhibits in Ladies Work. This became an annual custom and each year two or three ladies were appointed as. assistants. There was another Soap Con, test but was arranged by the. Richard's Soap Co, of Woodstock. The young ladies had to drive six wire nails, 4" long into a. pine plank, then run 25 yards. pick up 50C- worth of soap and run back to the plank with it., There was a concert In. the Town Hall which netted $40, At the Fair In 1902 there was a poultry exhibit from the Dominion Poultry Station at Holmesville. The manager had several crates of live chickens. The different crates were labeled to tell if the fowl, was for breed- ing purposes or fattening. The feed was mixed there on the grounds and the chickens fed while the spectators watched. This exhibit was solely for its educational and instructive value. There was also a display of fencing materials and gates by the Page Wire Co. of Walkerville. The Fall Fair concert was a huge success. Entertainers were Miss Ethyle Powell, soprano of Toronto and formerly of Brussels, Miss Alberta Mc- Naught, elocutionist, and Jas. Fox, a humorous singer also from Toronto. Net proceeds $97.00. In 1903 the spectators at the Fair were shown how to kill and pluck a chicken by three young men from Grey Township, who entered the contest. They got the chickens as well as the prize money. There was also a competition for school children. naming apples. There were five contes- tants and 21 varieties of apples for them to name correctly. Win- ners were Jas. Speir Jr. 18; Thos. Armstrong 14, Glen Armstrong, 14; Jas. Armstrong, 13; Arthur Smith, 9. In 1905 for the first time, Government appointed judges were present at the Fair. They Judged the horses, cattle, swine and sheep. There were more contests for children. One was naming varieties of apples, an- other was for boys judging cat- tle. Fifteen boys were given cards on which they placed their judg- ment of the different points. The expert judges decided the win- ners were: Harold Hogg, Thomas McDonald, C. Wright. There was a competition in a Fancy Drill by School Children. There were to be at least sixteen Child- ren In each drill. The prize went to Ethel Public School with 25 taking part. Information from the Post Of 1085 mentioned the East Huron Agricultural Society spon- soring the Spring Show. Mention was made of previous shows, but no reference as to what year the first Spring Show was held. For only a few years following 1885 was there any record of a Spring Fair in Brussels, though they were held in other centres many years later. At a meet- ing of Directors in 1906, they decided not to have a Spring Show. There was no account of any being held any year later. At a meeting in May 1906 the Directors decided to proceed with the building of a new hall. Secretary Kerr was instructed to make arrangements with, archi- tect Binning of Listowel regard- ing plans, etc. and to advertise for tenders. In the Oct. 11th, 1906 edition of the Brussels Post appeared a picture of the new Agricultural Hall and also the picture of James Ferguson, the president. The write-up con- cluded by saying a good job was done in good time, and the solidity and construction stand for per- manence. The total cost was over $3,145.00. A system of wiring was installed by Thuell Bros. Hon. Wm. Patterson, Minister of Customs, Ottawa, formerly opened the Fair and the new Hall, on Oct. 5, 1906. At the Annual meeting of Grey Branch the usual routine business was transacted, the Treasurer's report showed that $3263.00 had been expended in 1906 on the fine new modern hall. The Society would have been in fine shape financially, even then if it had been for the unfortunate law- suit brought on by a lady who had been injured in the old hall. The Society had to pay $1329 including costs and this neces- sitated borrowing $750. On resolution, it was agreed to hand over the lands, build- ings, etc. of Grey Branch So- ciety to the new Society to be formed, on condition that they assume liabilities and grant use to Brussels Driving Park Assoc. Thus passed away a Branch Society with a record not easily equalled for good fairs and united and agreeable effort. On January 16, 1907 the an- nual meeting of East Riding was held. There was balance of $80. in the treasury. James Ferguson who had been the president since 1891, declined re-election on account of his advanced years. He died in 1908. Jas. Speir was elected president and W. H. Kerr carried on as secretary-treas- urer. The new society was organized then was designated as East Huron Agricultural Society and decided on resolution to place its headquarters at Brussels. In 1907 the fair was a decided success. The Society would have a tidy surplus after paying ex- penses, but still did not have enough to pay the debt caused by the law suit a year previous. Fall Fair Day in 1911 was a real soaker all day. Gate re- ceipts were $35, so money had to be borrowed to pay prize money. However the Wet Weather Insurance amounted to $247.00 and was a little consolation, as the Society had to borrow $406. The first mention of auto- mobiles at the fair was in 1914, but in 1916 The Post remarked there were hundreds in town that day. A big attraction at the fair in 1916 was the Baby Show. There were 20 babies entered. Nurses M. McArthur and. Flaws judged the babies. Prizes were awarded to the mothers and were as follows: 1st. Mrs. Hynes, Hen- fryn, (Belgian), 2nd. Mrs.Benson Wheeler, Grey, 3rd. Mrs. Ri- chard Cardiff, Brussels, 4th. Mrs. Mark Garniss, Morris, 5th Mrs. Frank Sleightholni, Ethel. Automobiles were becoming more popular all the time, and so a prize was given for the best decorated. car. This was won by John Stewart In 1917, The following year Earl. Cun- ningham donated a prize for a slow 1/2 mile test of Ford cars, in high gear. There were four entires, but we were unable to learn the name of the win- ners if there was one. Anyone changing gears would be dis- qualified. In writing about the East Huron Agricultural Society, no mention was, made of quite a number of fairs. Of those fairs, there was nothing new or spec- tacular to note. The programs for the years follow the same pattern usually. In recent years, the concert has been dis continued and a dance is usually held in the Palace. These dances became popular in the Palace after the new hardwood floor was laid in 1949. The first dance was held May 17, 1950 with Fer- riers orchestra supplying the music. This is a fairly general ac- count of the Agricultural Socie- ties for the past century. Now in 1961 in honor of the Society's one hundredth birthday, a new Centennial stone gateway was erected at the Turnberry Street entrance. The official opening was held on Sunday afternoon, September 10, 1961 with well over 500 people in attendance. Mrs. Ida Davis and Miss Beth Hoover dressed in Centennial costumes, unveiled plaques, on the two stone pylons, dedfFaTed to the Society and the pioneers. The ribbon cutting ceremony was performed by George Ed- wards of Engelhart, President of Ontario Association of Agricul- tural Fairs assisted by F. A. Lashley, Superintendent of Fairs for Ontario, and Clem Steffler, president of East Huron Agricultural Society. Rev. H. L. Jennings of St. John's Anglican Church, dedicated the new gates. Others assisting were Rev. A. K. Griffiths of the United Church, Rev. W. J. Morrison of the Pres- byterian Church and Captain Newman of the Wingham Salvat- ion Army, who received the offer- ing. Other speakers included Roy Cousins, as master of ceremonies, who is a past presi- dent of the Agricultural Society, John Hanna, M. P. P.; Douglas Miles, Agricultural Representa- tive for Huron; Robert Campbell, District Director for Huron- Perth and James Mair, past- president. Other guests who hold various provincial offices included: Mrs. Teffer, Mrs. James Grummett, Mrs. George Ironsides. Miss Stella Kirkby, Donald McTavish, Mrs. A. Koehler, Wm. McDougall and Mr. Charlton. George McCutcheon, Reeve of Brussels, introduced the past presidents and secretaries. Regret was expressed that D. M. MacTavish, a former secretary for 15 years, was un- able to be present on account of illness. Following the National Anthem, the Legion Pipe Band led the parade of color parties through the gateway. These in- cluded the Salvation Army Band, massed Choir, members of local Legion, and Ladies Auxiliary, Boy Scouts and Cubs, Girl Guides and Brownies. Everyone was invited to the Palace for a cup of tea and a piece of the Centennial Cake, served by the Ladies Division with Mrs. Earl Cudmore as president. The Centennial Cake, a replica of the Crystal Palace and small portion of grounds in- cluding the new gateway, was designed and decorated by Mrs. Ella Shurrie. There were many favourable comments on this ar- tistic creation. Me ladies division of the Agricultural Society was formed sometime in the 1950's. The members have been active ever since contributing much to the success of the Brussels Fair each year. CONGRATULATIONS to the Village of Brussels on their Centennial Birthday • HENFRYN TILE YARD — Serving this area since 1879 — For a lasting drainage job use BURNED CLAY TILE Homer Henderson Jim Henderson R.R. 4, Atwood, Phone 356-2624 10a—THE BRUSSELS POST JUNE 20, 1972 tt