HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Wingham Advance-Times, 1963-06-27, Page 9Contrasting Interests
Over the week -end we helped with the
transportation of a small group of Boy
Scouts who had decided to spend a few
nights under canvas at London Bridge.
Despite chilly weather they went out on
Friday night and returned on Sunday,
overjoyed at the opportunity to spend
some time in the open air.
In contrast we also watched the an-
tics of the more "sophisticated" crowd
who spent Sunday in their convertibles,
roaring up and down the main street,
many of them stripped to the waist, in
the new burst of freedom which we con-
done.
The latter crowd, innocent though
they may be, are providing the vital
statistics for many of the accidents which
are taking young lives (and sometimes
older ones along with them) in the ever-
increasing number of traffic accidents.
It is not our intention to level harsh
criticisms at the young people who like
to get out for a good time in their cars.
Their pastimes are innocent enough —
and it is quie evident that no adults are
worrying about them — or at least not
enough to provide other and better forms
of recreation.
Scouting has proven itself over more
than 50 years as an invaluable answer to
the problem of youngsters at loose ends.
Yet Scouting in every community of this
size goes through cycles of strong activity
alternated with periods of practical non-
existence.
The reason, of course, lies in the type
of leadership available. When there are
active and devoted leaders the local
troops fulfill their purpose admirably, but
when that leadership is removed Scouting
dies a natural death.
Considering the tremendous benefits
to the boys themselves and to the com-
munity generally, we wonder why we
have failed, for so long to provide a con-
tinuing program of leadership in boys'
work. It is not difficult to recall the days
when a valuable hockey or ball player
would be brought to town and a job
would be found for him which permitted
enough time to spark up the local team.
Would it not be possible to make
some such arrangement for a boys' lead-
er? The public recognizes the need for
expenditures to maintain a program of re-
creation activity, and it is our contention
that the fund should be enlarged to allow
for the Scouting program as well.
Wingham Scouts are benefitting from
the interested and active leadership of
Bob McIntyre at the present time, and we
hope that this situation will continue, but
sooner or later we will find that the boys
are in need of leadership again and it
would be well worthwhile to make some
plans for providing it. The members of
the Scout Group Committee are deeply
interested in the welfare of the troop, but
face this leadership problem without
knowing the proper solution. They need
public backing in their efforts to keep
Scouting alive and active.
Big -Time Racketeers
Last week this column reminded
householders to keep an eye open for the
door-to-door repairmen and salesmen who
are out to fleece the unwary. A little epi -
side at home reminded us that not all the
racketeers are the two dollar type.
The wife complained that the door of
the washing machine wouldn't stay shut.
Investigation proved that a small spring
in the latching mechanism was broken.
Reasonable cost for a replacement appear-
ed to be about 15 cents.
However, no such inexpensive repair
was available. It turned out that the
springs were not sold separately. Before
we were through we had to buy the entire
latch assembly at a cost of $13.82. It
wasn't the local dealer's fault. The manu-
facturer simply made sure that the repair
bill would constitute a major sale.
We, as purchasers, have been so free
and easy with our money in the good
years since the war that we have actually
encouraged this sort of calculated and
costly nonsense. You will find the same
thing exists where cars are concerned.
Buy a new coat for your youngster and
you can start sewing on buttons after
the first wearing, despite the fact that
modern technology has developed threads
which are strong enough for parachutes.
And so it goes through all the products
for which we pay our money.
This is a short-sighted way to make
money. The manufacturer who sells a
sound product will be in business long
after the firm which sells a shody one
has gone bankrupt. In the entire history
of business there is nothing to justify
waste at any level of our economy.
Everything Straightened Out?
Not too many weeks ago as we all
listened with rapt attention to the pro-
nouncements of the various aspiring
policitians we heard Mr. Pearson avow
repeatedly that he and his henchmen
would attack the worst of the ills created
by the Diefenbaker administration—the
financial "muddle" of the nation,
Mr. Pearson and Henchman Walter
Gordon have indeed had their chance but
so far everything seems to be getting a
little more muddled. Like offering a
free gift of $500 to the man who builds
a house in the winter months (when it
can cost $1,000 more) and then slapping
11% sales tax on building materials. Or
such things as tacking 30% taxation of
purchase of Canadian industrials by non -
Canadians and then taking the tax off in
a few days because of the outcry.
Just how muddled can we get?
Watch Those Toes!
Hal Wright, Farm Safety Specialist
with the Ontario Department of Agricul-
ture, emphasizes the following common
sense rules to make the family power
lawn mower a harmless and efficient tool:
Avoid pulling the lawn mower back-
wards—you could slip.
Never allow children to operate the
machine.
Give your full attention to the job of
mowing.
Wear heavy boots. Never sandals or
barefoot.
Clear the lawn of all debris before you
start to cut. Smaller objects can be
thrown out like bullets from the whirl-
ing blade.
Don't try to cut wet grass. It is hard
on your mower because the cuttings don't
blow free of the mower. Also, your
chances of slipping are much higher.
Stay clear of the discharge opening
when the engine is running.
Never reach under the deck, lift the
mower or adjust the cutting height
without shutting off the engine.
Before touching the engine make sure
the spark plug wire is disconnected. Even
tilting the mower or turning the blade
could start the engine.
Never leave the engine running if you
must leave the mower.
Refuel only outdoors and when the
engine is cool.
Always treat this helpful gadget with
the respect it deserves.
THE WINGHAM ADVANCE - TIMES
Published at Wingham, Ontario, by Wenger Bros. Limited
W. Barry Wenger, President - Robert O. Wenger, Secretary -Treasurer
Member Audit Bureau of Circulation; Member Canadian Weekly Newspapers Associ-
ation; Member Canadian Community Newspapers Representatives
Authorized by the Post Office Department u Second Class Mail and
for payment of postage in cash
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REMINISCING
JUNE 1913
A very pleasant time was
spent on Friday evening at the
home of Mrs. W. J. Howson's,
when a social hour was enjoyed
by the members of the W.M.
Society of the Wingham Metho-
dist Church. Prior to the re-
moval of Dr. Rutledge to Clin-
ton, Mrs, Rutledge was present-
ed with an address, after a few
well chosen words by the presi-
dent, Mrs. Jos. hall.
Our popular druggist Mr. A.
L. Hamilton has sold his drug
business to Mr. J. J. Davis of
Wiarton. This is an old esta-
blished business here for the past
15 years. Corning to Wingham
in 1898 he bought out the busi-
ness from Mr. James Chisholm
who opened what has been
known as the Corner Drug Store,
and kept the business for ten
years.
Master Frankie Sparling,
aged ten years, has developed
into an expert fisherman. He
and his grandfather, Mr. F. S.
Sparring, on Friday last went
fishing somewhere five or six
miles from Wingham and among
a large number of others Fran-
kie caught one speckled trout
13 inches long, weighing one
and a half pounds and another
16 inches in length which
weighed two pounds.
Dr. and Mrs. W. F, Gal-
braith and family of Lethbridge
are the guests of Postmaster
Fisher this week.
0--0--0
JUNE 1926
The regular meeting of Wing -
ham Town Council was held on
Monday evening. Those pre-
sent were Mayor Fells, Couns.
Mitchell, Spotton, Wilkinson,
Elliott and Haney.
The tax rate for 1926 was
struck at 47 mills which will be
made up as follows: County rate
3.8 mills; public school rate,
5.0 mills; high school rate, 5.0
mills; and town rate 28.7 mills.
This is an increase of 1 mill on
the dollar over last year.
Many old friends of Wm. H.
Netterfield, a former resident
of Lower Wingham, will regret
to hear that he passed away in
Winnipeg General Hospital on
June 29th, in his 59th year.
Mrs. August Homuth of Wing -
ham is a sister of the deceased.
The members and adherents
of Wingham United Church ga-
thered in the school room to
bid farewell to Rev. W, D. and
Mrs. McIntosh prior to their
departure for Embro this week.
A. H. Musgrove was chairman
and an excellent program was
rendered, including solos by
Miss Jean Christie and Bruce
Edgar; guartet by Misses Vera
Frendt and Irene Donald and
Messrs. Christie and Mitchell;
readings by Mrs. W. Vanwyck;
instrumental duets by Misses
Mary and Celesta Carr and Mis-
ses Hazel Brandon and Peggy
Garniss and music on a saw by
Gerald Gray.
0--0--0
JUNE 1938
Mrs. E. McLaughlin and
daughter, Miss Verna, left to-
day for a six weeks trip to Vic-
toria, Vancouver Island. They
intend stopping at different
places enroute.
A party was held at the home
of Mrs. Harry Towne last week
In honour of Mrs. W. Connolly,
prior to her departure for Strat-
ford, where her husband has
been transferred by the Bell
Telephone Co.
A large number of relatives
gathered at the home of Mr.
and Mrs. R. J. Tindall on Sun-
day, to bid farewell to Mr. and
Mrs. Geo. Hunter and son, Earl,
who are leaving on Thursday
for their home in Manitou, Man-
itoba.
Rev. E. M. Loney and fam-
ily, Mr. and Mrs. C. W. Lloyd
and Donald, motored to Callen-
dar last week to see the Quints.
On their return they stopped at
Stokes Bay on the Bruce Penin-
sula. While there on Sunday,
Mr. Loney killed a 28 -inch
rattle snake with a small stick.
The rattler had nine pair of
rattles.
0--0--0
JUNE 1948
Mr, and Mrs. Gordon Sim-
mons will he at home to their
friends on Sunday afternoon
and evening, on the occasion
of their 25th wedding anniver-
sary.
Mr. R. G. Gannett received
A HAPPY REUNION—Mrs. Ian Hammer-
ton, Mrs. John Langridge, Ian Hammer-
ton, Mrs. Miles Overend and Miles, who
had all been friends while living in
Wingham, enjoyed a pleasant time at the
Hammerton home in Tunbridge Wells,
Kent, while Mrs. Langridge and the Over -
ends were visiting in England. Mr. and
Mrs. Overend now live in Vernon, B.C.,
and have recently returned home from a
six weeks' vacation in Great Britain and
Italy. Mrs. Langridge returned home on
Sunday after spending seven weeks with
her sister and other relatives in England.
The above photo was sent to us from the
Camden Studio and was taken by Coralie
Hammerton.
ingbain anceL-2eintto
Wingham Advance -Times, Thursday, June 27, 1963 SECOND SECTION
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Illllll➢IIIIIIIIIINIsmBy Bill Sm ileypg;pllIllllllllllllfr
Dominion Day is on the way;
Let's have a celebration.
It may be our last chance, they say,
To mark it as a nation
the face of their insults and
insinuations, their sneers and
their sniping, I remain a cool,
I happy reactionary. 1 still be-
lieve that the twentieth cen-
tury belongs to Canada, even
j with an 11 per cent. sales tax
on building materials. And
furthermore, I fearlessly pre-
dict that Quebec will never
leave the confederation.
* * *
There are a number of good
reasons for my opinions. They
are not just a lot of off-the-
cuff ideas based on a pile of
statistical evidence. Nossir,
they have a solid base of pure
emotion and prejudice.
First of all, our politicians,
while comparatively green
compared to those of older
nations, are internationally
recognized as masters of the
compromise. Canada, as a
nation, has a reputation for
horse -trading. She is not one
to let any foolish ideals stand
in the way of an honest buck.
And this, I fear, will present
the greatest obstacle to the
secessionists of Quebec.
Yep, according to the
gloompots, this may be our
last opportunity to celebrate
with our customary fervour
that glorious national holiday
revered by all Canadians:
The First of July.
Such eminent hysterians as
Pierre Berton are sounding
the tocsin, raising the storm
signals, and making like Cas-
sandra. Quebec, they sob, is
gonna pull outa the confeder-
ation. All will be lost. Canada
will become a banana repub-
lic.
* * *
It is rather a paradox that
the groans of anguish emerge,
for the most part, from the
very people who devote a
great deal of time, and a
vast number of words, to-
wards convincing everybody
that Canada is already little
more than a banana republic.
They are the people who
have unselfishly volunteered
to act as the conscience of
this country. They are the
people who blat endlessly that
we are the people who hang,
with embarrassing obsequi-
ousness, on the every word of
every foreigner who speaks
of this country, its habits and
Its people.
They are the people who,
via Dawson City or Glace
Bay or Hayfork Centre, de-
scend upon our cities and set
themselves up as arbiters of
our taste, our opinions, our
morals, our manners. Armed
with incredible gall and a fa-
cility with words, they are
happiest when they are re-
vealing their ineffable scorn
for Canadian custom, cooking
and culture.
A plague upon them all. In
word of the sudden passing of
his brother-in-law, Mr. George
McMurdo of Toronto, in Tole-
do, Ohio. His wife was the
former Miss Edna Gannett of
Wingham.
Congratulations are extended
to M . Dick Irwin, son of Mr.
and Mrs. J. II. Irwin, Wing -
ham in passing his first year
exams at the Ontario Veterin-
ary College, Guelph.
Mr. and Mrs. W. Lock -
ridge accompanied by Mr. and
Mrs. D. Fleury, attended the
graduation exercises at the
Canadian Mothercraft Society,
Toronto, of June 28th, when
their daughter, Miss Donna
Lockridge, graduated.
Second, our French-Canadi-
an friends, bomb -planting to
the contrary, simply are not
wild-eyed La tin s, forever
cherishing cobblestones to
hurl at authority. They are a
little more volatile than our
British elements, perhaps, but
don't forget that they're de-
scended from the shrewd,
tough, logical, phlegmatic folk
of northern France, for the
most part. They are practi-
cally stoics compared to
some of the exotic strains in
our population. The Irish, for
example.
Third, they already have as
much independence as they
can possibly use. Don't tell
me that a fellow in Riviere
du Loup, for example, has
any less freedom than I have.
Especially if he's married.
And I'll never forget a Cana-
dienne I took out in Montreal
one night. Boy, was she in-
dependent!
Fourth, the people of Que-
bec, should they pull out of
confederation, would have to
give up one of their primary
pleasures in life: blaming
everything from the last two
wars to the low pensions on
the sacred Anglais.
* * *
As for my other opinion,
that the twentieth century be-
longs to Canada, this too is
On Sharpening
Pencils
Many people now use ball-
point pens on jobs where they
formerly used pencils. This
change has made work harder to
put off, as a fellow used to be
able to start the day by sharpen-
ing a pencil. If he had several
pencils, giving the impression
of a big plan for doing a lot of
work, the sharpening operation
could go on for quite a while,
well towards the first coffee
break. A man could look busy
and feel busy and this was good
for the nervous system. Now,
with a ballpoint pen, the only
escape is that it may not write,
which has been known to hap-
pen; there's always a hope.
Otherwise, immediately at the
start of the day's first work
period, a man is in danger of
being faced by the reality of
needing to do some actual work.
This is well known to be bad
for the nervous system, unless
one goes ahead and really does
the work.
Those who have tried theex-
periment of working report that
they feel fine; there are cases
of people who found that
achieving things was stimulat-
ing, so that they almost forgot
to stop for the coffee break.
—The Printed Word.
Tom: "So you met your
wife at a dance. That was
romantic."
Dick: " Hardly, I thought
she was home taking care of
the kids."
based on a bedrock of hope,
not a lot of silly facts and
figures. The main reason for
my hope is that the twentieth
century is becoming more
and more expensive. Pretty
soon, nobody will want it, at
any price. But Canadians will
buy anything, if the down
payment is low enough.
Leaving y o u with these
comforting predictions, I wish
you a happy First of July,
serene in the knowledge that
you will spend it as usual:
Reverently explaining to your
children the meaning of con-
federation; listening to fiery
orations about our great Ca-
cadian mystique; dancing in
the streets with your neigh-
bors to express your joy; and
decking out your house or
store with flags.
And if you have to don
water-skis to catch your kids
for the reverent explanation,
don't worry. If the only fiery
oration you can find is Earl
Cameron with the CBC news,
don't worry. If your neigh-
bors have all bogged off to
the beach, don't worry. If
the only flags you can find
are a couple of Union Jacks,
an old Red Ensign, and a
tattered Stars and Stripes,
don't worry. It will be a good,
average, typical Canadian
celebration of the birth of our
glorious nation.