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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1997-07-23, Page 33HOMECOMING '97, WEDNESDAY, JULY 23, 1997 PAGE 13. An open letter to Royal Train authorities From the June 7,1939 issue of The Brussels Post. The committee in charge of the children from Brussels who attended at Stratford on Tuesday last, June 6th, to see our beloved Sovereign George VI and His Gracious Consort Elizabeth have suffered deep humiliation over the fiasco which resulted from serious blundering in the arrangements. The committee, before deciding to sponsor the Stratford visit received assurance that splendid accommodation would be provided for all school children, including drinking fountains and reserved space at the parks so that the children would not be exhausted by the long wait. The committee was .ssured that the Royal Train would ;low down to 3 miles an hour the vhole length of the yards, during vhich period Their Majesties would be in full view. It was also understood that bleachers were being erected for the school children which would allow the children full view of the Royal Visit during its 12-minute at Stratford. The committee through the local agent of the CNR Mr. Walter Kerr who gave us his complete co-operation, made requisition for passenger accommodation to Stratford for from 300 to 400 persons including children and upon this basis felt that it was entitled to proceed to urge the attendance of all good citizens of the village and surrounding country together with all school children as a duty as well as the most extreme pleasure to all loyal Canadians. The response of the community was indeed gratifying and the turnout of the school children was almost one hundred per cent. The committee wish to thank the teachers of the public and continuation school for their devotion to duty in guarding the children and seeing that 160 pupils were returned to Brussels safe and sound. Special mention also should be made of Dr. and Mrs. Jamieson and the guards who accompanied the children. Unfortunately the high expectations of the committee in connection with The Royal Visit have come to nought and instead of the patriotism which our Sovereigns inspire in the noble breasts of all British children, the children of Brussels as well as thousands of other children in the counties of Huron, Bruce and Perth have received a blow, and made me savage by the intense expectation built up as a result of the publicity attending the Royal Visit. In the first place the accommodation provided by our publicly owned railway was to jam 350 Brussels children and grownups into space which would ordinarily accommodate about 100 persons, this in spite of the fact that our local agent had kept the authorities fully appraised of our requirements. The excuse offered by railway officials is that all coaches were in use for the royal visit. Our only observation is that the C.N.R. must have a dangerously depleted rolling stock if unable to provide two extra cars for Brussels, especially after abundant notice given. However the children didn't mind the crowding very much and as our genial station agent Mr. Kerr rode in the baggage car himself, he showed the proper spirit and we thank him for it. More serious trouble dogged the fortunes of the children than crowding in railway trains. Arriving at Stratford at 12:30 p.m., instead of being carefully ushered to beautiful green parks the children were ushered unto the hot cinders of the Stratford Railway yards. Instead of the bleachers erected for their comfort the children enjoyed the bleaching of a blazing sun from 12:30 until four o'clock in the afternoon with no shelter except that obtainable by crawling beneath a railway platform. Drinking water was only obtainable in pop bottles or small cups a good hundred yards from the station allotted to Brussels children. The committee are proud that the children waited in discomfort patiently until four o'clock and their hearts fluttered with delight and expectation when the pilot train steamed slowly through the yards. Their disappointment and tears came later when the Royal Train roared down the track at thirty miles per hour and no opportunity was given the children of seeing their beloved King or Queen but in their stead the authorities in charge produced on the platform of the train receive the homage of 10,000 children a big black negro porter. The humour in the situation doesn't cover up the sadness for 10,000 children of impressionable age, children whose faith in those they trust to guide their destinies received a vicious shock. Surely the incompetence and blundering which has characterized the management of the Royal Visit in this instance and many others requires the lash of public indignation in order that such a tragic event should never again occur. It is disheartening to think that the Graciousness of our Well Beloved King and Queen and their From the letter box From the September 16,1939 issue of The Brussels Post. TO THE EDITOR, Dear Sir: - A very serious matter has been CONTINUED ON PAGE 14 It’s going to be an exciting weekend of events for all ages COME OUT AND HAVE FUN!! Chairman Commissioners Gord Workman Henry F. Exel Dave Hastings Donna White Don Crawford Manager P.U.C. Foreman The Brussels Public Utilities Commission is pleased to welcome everyone home to Brussels to join in the 125th Birthday Celebrations. ELCOME TO spirit of sacrifice should be lost by the gross mismanagement of Canadian officials in charge of the Tour. Adults and children who attended at Stratford trusting in your committee's judgement, we apologize to you very humbly, our We also carry • pillow covers • mattress covers Protect your mattress and pillows from dust mites, mold, mildew, fungus ~~1 & bacteria I INDOOR AIR! > JTA dual air Lr purifying system is cleans up to 400 sq. ft. Recommended for Asthma and Allergy sufferers. Approved Medical Device NO. 162540 only consolation being that your undoubted loyalty to the King and all the lands over which He reigns still remains unshaken and firm. Signed on behalf of the local committee, Elmer D. Bell George E. Northwood.