HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Lucknow Sentinel, 1981-05-13, Page 6it.
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Page 6,-Lucknow :Senthiel, Wi dnead*y, May 13, 1981
64
JOCELYN SHtIER - Publisher
SHARON J. DIETZ - Editor..
ANTHONY N..JOHNSTONE Advertissiag and
\; General Manager
PAT';LIVINGSTON Office Manager
MERLE ELLIOTT Typesetter
JOAN HELMComposition
- .Com ition
Business and Editorial Office Telephone` 5282822
Mailing Address P.O. Box 400; tucbnow, NOG 2H0
Second Class Mail Registration Number •0847
Seim Tiwa,•
ra3
Sub.erlpalon rate, S13.50,Per year In advance
• 'Senior Citizen rate,. PI -SOW year la advance
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Sr. Cit. B.S.A. and Forelga, 521.00 per yeaa.In advance
rolltl show talent
Last week was Education Week in area schools, a week
marked by special events, presented by two local
schools.
The Lucknow School Concert Band held their annual
concert at the community:. centre Friday. night. As usual
the band members lived up to their fine tradition :• .
...
with an
eveningof musicwhich;leaves the audience inwonder
at
the fine musicianship . of such =young, performers.
The Brookside Public School presented its .14th annual
spring concert, featuring songs and skits performed by
various classes anda special production of the operetta,
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. This
production deserved the standing ovation it received
from the audience whoattended the concert.
A selection of songs, done in various musical modes
tells the old Testament Bible story of Joseph and his ,
brothers The play is a wonderful adaptation ofan old
story set to modern forms of music and underlines the
relevence of Old Testament teachings in today's lifestyle.
The production, under the direction of Don Cameron,
left the audience astounded that such ;a fine production
could be achieved by by elementarystudents, It kept
everyone on the edge of their seats and will long be
remembered, not only as the fine presentation it was, but
at its message for modernliving.
Some call itgossip
A city born acquaintance was recently holding forth on the
disadvantages of life in a small community. High on his list of
drawbacks was "small town gossip".. It, wasn't 'difficult; to
believe that he was suffering from an over -dose of "Harper
Valley PTA" on television.
This fellow happens to live in a Toronto high rise apartment
building. Asked the name of the family next to his own, and
only a few steps down the hall he simply didn't know, but he
"liked it that way.". If the three children in his own family all
took sick at the same time, we asked, would his neighbour's
wifedrop in with a kettle of soup or offer a helping hand. Our.
friend arched his eyebrows in astonishment at the thought of
such intimacy.
Not long ago a sophisticated young lady from the city was
describing 'a new acquaintance who had just joined the office,'
staff. She labelled him as a "bit queer". It turned out that he
had the disconcerting habit of looking at people's faces as he
walked down the city streets:
For our own part we have long since made the choice
between the impersonal life of the city and the warmth of
small town society.: We like it when most of the people in this
town call us by our first name. Sure, they know a lot about our
personal affairs, and some of them do, from time to time, pass
on to their friends what they consider any "juicy" items. But
they happen to be .the same folks who worry when we are sick;
who feet deep and honest sorrow when we are bereaved; they
are the ones who are really happy for us when our son gets a
promotion or our daughter has a new baby.
If .we consider moving.. out of town the word makes the
rounds in a matter of hours - not because ourneighbours
don't know how to mind their own business, but rather,
because they would be sorry to see us leave. When some-
body's boy gets into trouble with the law the gossip mill
noises it abroad, that's true, but very few of the talkers are
pleased. Usually they are Saddened that such a fate has fallen
the kid's parents,
Ther& are, indeed, some aspects of city life which are good
and enjoyable, but most of what is enjoyable is also available
to the small towner who has, the time and means to drive in for
a day or a weekend.. Personally, we'-il put up with the gossip,
such ai it is, and continue to enjoy the kind of life -that lets us
know , each day we are living in a community of thinking,
caring ghuman beings.
--Wingharn Advance -Times
eport from Queen's
By Murray Elston,
'Huron-Brucel
Abolishing Grano 13
in thepreliminary report of a study
of the Province's highschool system,
Duncan Green.;has recommended that
all high school' programs be squeezed
into a four-year curriculum; by 1988,
thus putting an end to Grade 13.
Ontario isthe only'province in Canada
which continues tohave five years of
high school, even though students
from other provinces can enrol in
Ontario's colleges and ..,universities
without having to take remedial
courses. This report is one of a
number of similar studies undertaken
by the Government since 1950; most of
them have also recommended the
phasing -out of Grade 13 because the
particular studies determined that
Grade 13 was unnecessary.During the
recent provincial election campaign,
Liberal Leader Stuart''Smith also made
a similar suggestion. Also contained in
the report was a call for a return to the
teaching of the three "R's" to foster
more effective training of, the :,com-
munication and business skills. So far,
Education Minister Bette, Stephenson
has refused to indicate her reaction to'
the study. She says she's waiting for
the educational community to express
their opinions.
Grants To Pulp d'i Paper Firms
Industry Minister Larry Grossman
has revealed that . the Government
plans to give another $20 million this
year to. Ontario's'. pulp and paper
industry to help ;modernize its plants.
Grossman told the Legislature that
these funds are the last in a $120
million , grant program to seven
forestry companies, begun in 1979
even though a study prepared for a
Government Royal Commission con-
cluded last year that the grants are not
necessary. The Industry Minister dis-
counted that study, and claimed, that if
it weren't for the provincial grants, a
total of $1.5 billion in plant renova-
tions, "simplywould not have hap -
•
to
pened"..Nearly all of Ontario's pulp
and paper companies have recorded
significant profits in the last three,
years. .
New Revelations on lie -Mor
Bimonthly Reports,a respected in-
dependent Toronto newsletter, has
claimed in its , most recent issue that „
the Ontario Securities Commission
had "a record of consistent failure." in
acting as a watchdog over the collapse
of Astra Trust and Re -More Invest-
ments .Ltd. Hundreds of Ontarians
many of them : senior citizens , lost
their life savings when the two firms
went bankrupt in 1980. Even though.
the OSC began . investigating Astra/
Re -Mor in 1978, it apparently dragged
its feet while the principal directorof
the companies was making 'question-
able expenditures with company as-
sets. The Legislature Committee
which investigated the matter. before
• the March 19th election has not been
revived by the Government despite
being pressured to do so by the Liberal
Opposition.
anges In Rent Review?
\p
Despite assurances during the rec-
ent
election campaign that . the Gov-
ernment had no intention of making
any changes to the province's rent
review system, Premier Davis has told
the Legislature that he is "not
married" to, the present 6% ceiling on
rent t increases. Davis' also told report-
ers that he never mentioned a specific
ceiling figure when he made his
election pledge. Rent review was
brought into force in Ontario . in the
mid-1970s, when rising inflation and
land speculation was forcing massive
increases in rent ':levels. Land dev-
elopers and apartment owners . have
been critical of the program, in which, ..
tenants can force landlords' to justify
demands for rent increases above, 6%
to a Rent Review `Board. Premier ".";
Davis has, still denied that his cabinet„
has considered raising the ceiling, but
there is speculation that a change may
come this fall.
0111P Rate*
There is also speculation at Queen's
Park,that the Government will raise
OHIP rates, for all subscribers in the
Provincial BudBet on May 19. The
Health Minister recently came to an
agreement with the province's doct-
ors, in which OHIP fees will go. ;up by
14.75%. As a result the total bill for
OHIP services : will go up by, about
$175 million, and the Government has
to find a way to pay for it Applying
the costs directly to subscribers would
mean about $20 extra per year per
person,
Change in. Cabinet Structure
Housing Minister Claude Bennett's
ministry has been expanded to include
municipal affairs. That announcement
was made by Premier Davis in the
Legislature last week. The municipal
�
Inteergovernm Intergovernmental Affairs nio used to be Ministled er
Tom Wells, but Premier Davis ex-
plained the , change "reflects and
strengthens our commitment to the
municipal level of government".
Rail Study Released
The Ontario, Task Force on Prov.
incial Rail Policy has released its final
report entitled "The Future Role of
Rail". The 125 -page :'report contains.
a'
number of recommendations aimed at
improving, railservices in Ontario. It.
urges a considerable increase in
co-operation between federal and
provincial ministries in setting up a
master rail plan to meet the immediate
transportation needs in Ontario and,
more importantly, the needs for a
revitalized transportation network in
the 21st century.
Nurses' Week
I want to salute all of Ontario's
dedicated, hard-working nurses, who
are being justifiably honoured °with
Nurses' Week in Ontario from May 4
Redtrees
1011 know I speak for all Members of
the„ Legi%lature o when 1= • say ` how
indebted all Ontarians are ' `to' our
nurses fortheir careand their exper-
tise, and their dedication to good
health for everyone.
By Don Campbell
Just before seven o'clock in the morning, a large rough
wagon stood near the New American Hotel at the corner
of Front and Yonge Streets, by the waterfront of Toronto.
Even at that early hour, the town was busy. Livestock of
all descriptions . were being driven to market, their
drovers weaving through pedestrians, carriages and
barrows laden with produce.
The owner of the wagon, a farmer called William
Blake., journeyed to town every month to trade and pick
up supplies. Tie stood in front' of his sturdy team, holding
the two bridles and patting the heads of his horses. They
were irritable ' and . nervous amid the strange noisy
atmosphere. Blake looked from time to time towards the
waterfront, impatient for the sight of the immigrants he
would take to his farm, at a settlement called Richmond
Hill.
Neil, Flora and Hamish Murdoch were on time.
Carrying their few belongings they hurried towards'the
farmer. With a curt "good'morning”, he helped Flora up
onto the seat of the wagon and indicating where the two
Hien were to ride, he jerked his thumb behind him
"Better'.be
as comfortable asyou can ,
make yourself , .
told Neil and Hamish. "It's gonna be a long rough
road. He slapped the backs of his horses. with, a flick of
the reins and they needed no more persuasion to move
off at a good fast pace. '
The entire surface of the wagon • wascovered with
equipment, hardware and supplies, There was also a
pile of sweet smelling green hay, and a bag of oats,
presumably horse feed for the journey, In a crate, whose
top was covered with sacking as shelter from the sun,
Was a number of brown feathered hens which cackled
and squawked incessantly. Neil and Hamish settled
themselves into the hay and .rested. their backs against
the front board.
Neil was interested in the supplies and equipment.
There was a wooden plow, a wheelbarrow and an
assortment of tools which he had never seen before.
There were several small barrels, sacks and earthenware
jugs+ Hamish pointed to the latter, grinned and winked
knowingly. "Whisky", he whispered A piece of ,paper.
like a label had become detached front one of the items
and with a feeling of guilt for his inquisitiveness, Neil
looked at the almost copperplate handwriting. Plow -
$10. Wheelbarrow Si. Tobacco = 5 pounds (at 37c the
pount) $1.85.. Whisky - 6 gallons (at 30c the gallon) $1.80.
This was obviously only one of the many receipts which
the farmer had received. One day, Neil told himself, he
might have good fortune like this new es ployer. William
Blake was a wealthy man! '
As the wagon made its way northwards up Yonge
Street, the farmer pointed out various' places of interest
to Flora. The most imposing building being. Osgoode
Hall,at the corner of .College Avenue ' and Lot . Street
West. It towered above the wooden structgres of shops
and other business places in the immediate vicinity.
Flora quickly forgot the nante of the place but clearly
remembered itspurpose. Even the mention .of the world .
"law" brought back the unsavoury aroma of that fateful
tavern she had so thankfully left behind in Halifax.
Beyond Lot Street; the buildings were strung out, and
soon they were travelling through farm lands interdis-
persed amongst the trees. In the distance beyond, the
ribbon of Yonge. Street disappeared into , the endless
green expanse of the bush. William Blake pointed to the
last imposing buildings on the fringes, of Toronto. That
+ ' e
famous seat of learning, King's Coll,
At the toll gate just south- of Potter's Field, Blake
reined his horses and allowed them to drink from a
wooden trough. When they resumed their journey, Flora
groundnorth of the toll gate.
remarked on �a burial just
She wondered why it was situated so far from Toronto,
and why so many graves were poorly marked, if indeed
they had so much as a wooden cross.
"Like the name, ma'am, it is a potter's field. There lie
the bones of paupers and other people who are ' not
worthy of sharing ground reserved for honourable
citizens," William Blake told her. "The people taken
down from the gallows - thieves, murderers and those
who would rise up in rebellion+" ,He smiled with a soft,
sad sort of look. "Men like me perhaps, who listened and
believed in the cause of that hot head countryman of
yours - William Lyon Mackenzie. Some people. speak of
little else, so as we journey, I might as well tell you the
real story, I was with him on that October night of four
years ago+ Soon we shall pass the very place where the
rebellion started. It was called Montgomery's Tavern!"
•