Times-Advocate, 1986-05-07, Page 15•
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BASYSITTING GRADUATES — More than 30 Exeter and area
youngsters graduated recently from the Baby Sitting Course offered
by the Alpha Pi Sorority. Back, left, David Schwindt and Keith Vin-
cent. Fourth row, Beth Hawley, Karen Foster, Susan Grubb, Sheryl
Oke, Deanne Ballantyne and Lisa Hendrick. Third row„Kevin Robin-
son, Shawn-McFalls, Becci Farquhar, Tina Taylor, Lori Miller, Carrie
Lovie, Susanne Pursley, Koren Weido and Barbara Tieman. Second
row, Moe ling Chong, Jamie Cornish, Jennifer Eifert, Jennifer
Beecroft, Paula Hohner, Shannon McBride, Jennifer Cook and Amy
Relouw. Front, Christie McDonald, Sheila Bender, Becky Morgan,
Elizabeth Coates, Chrissy O'Toole, Jennifer Levier, Diana Verberne
and Dane Triebner. T -A photo
ATTENTIVE AUDIENCE — Gwyn Whilsmith talked about writing to aspiring young authors from six area
schools at an afternoon writing workshop held in Exeter Public School.
Many changes
in licencing
WI PRESENTS FLAGS — The Lucan Women's Institute recently presented a Canodian flagto he library
at Lucan Public School. Above, Marion Lee of the WI presents the flag to students Angela Sleaford,
Heather Dale, Andrew Martens and Launi Appleman and teacher Laverne Revin • ton.
GRANTON WI PRESENTS - Muriel Lewis of the Granton Women's Institute recent y presen :. ana-
dian flags to the two grade three portable rooms at Lucan Public School. Above, at the right Mrs. Lewis
presents a flag to students Kellie Williams, Heather Smith, Leanne Lewis and Melanie Beatson and teacher
Donna Walker. T -A photo.
111 �
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PRIMARY SCIENCE WINNERS — Laura Cook, Theresa Wilhelm, Jeff Sararas and Ben Van Bergen were
winners in the grade one and two Science Fair at Precious Blood Separate School. T -A photo
While putting your mug shot on a
driver's licence is a big change to
many, it's only the lastest wrinkle in
the history of driver licensing in
Ontario.
And it's a history 'stretching back
almost 80 years. In fact, back in the
early years of this century, the
average driver wasn't even required
to possess a license unless he or she
drove for their bread-and-butter.
Chauffeur licenses were introduced
to the province in 1909 to ensure
records were kept of those who drove
for a living. Prior to that, for the 11
years before Ontario's (and
Canada's) first automobile appeared,
anyone could drive a car.
The first car? It Was a single -
cylinder runabout purchased for
$1,000 by Mr. and Mrs. John Moodie
of Hamilton. It made its debut on On-
tario roads in 1898.
When legislation requiring chauf-
feurs to be licensed was first introduc-
ed, there wasn't much fuss. A total of
1,002 were registered in the first
place.
But when legislation was tabled, in
1913, requiring chauffeurs to be deem-
ed "competent” before they took to
the roadway, hackles were raised.
Professional drivers were required
to possess a certificate signed by two
members of the Ontario Motor
League (appointees of the Lieutenant -
Governor) and the chief constable of
their municipality, in addition to the
license.
At the time, legislative discussions
centered on the possibility of licens-
iing all drivers. But the arguments
were soon rejected.
,�M�embers felt the automobile licen-
#iin
g department Would be unable to
handle the anticipated 40,000 to 50,000
additional applications. It was
generally agreed the department was
already overtaxed, simply, looking
after the needs of chauffeurs.
Adding weight to this decision was
the consideration that, . since cars
were primarily owned by the well-to-
do, they were most likely already be-
ing driven by competent, licensed
chauffeurs. Hence, no need for
across-the-board licensing.
But Henry Food changed all that.
..The advent of assembly line -made
automobiles reduced the cost and
made it easier for just about anyone
to own a car. So by 1928, discussions
began to get serious about making
licensing mandatory for every driver
On July 1, 1927, it happened.
Legislation was put into effect requir-
ing every person who currently drove
a motor vehicle obtain a driver's
license.
Not that this was a terribly difficult
process, mind you. Anyone who had
been driving at least 500 miles and
had no disabilities, could obtain a
license by filling out an application
form and paying a $1 fee.
A rookie or disabled driver could
arrange a test through the Depart-
ment of Highways. In the first year,
444,472 licenses were granted. And
that number continued to grow, as did
the complement of examiners and ex-
amination centres in the province. By
1932, there were 207 examiners and
123 examination centres in the
province.
The first learner's permits were in-
troduced in the late '20s. Good for 60
days, they were valid only when the
student was accompanied by a licens-
ed driver.
The enthusiasm with which
everyone took to driving was evident.
In 1930, 32,742 learner's permits were
issued. That number rose steadily
during the depression, hitting 108,993
id 1938.
during World War II, the number
of licenses issued declined as the pro-
vince's collective energy was directed
toward supplying the troops overseas.
After the war, however, the ac-
cessibility of driving steadily notch-
ed increasing figures, reflecting a
growth of five to seven percent bet-
ween 1948 and 1957.
In 1957, the number of operator's
licenses stood at 1,220,728; the
number of chauffeur's licenses was
746,152. Today, there are approx-
imately 5.3 -million licensed drivers in
Ontario.
About the only aspect of driving
that hasn't remained consistent has
been the minimum age requirement,
which bounced from 16 to 21 years and
back five times in 1912, 1917, 1935, 1943
and 1953.
PUPPETS AT ST. PAT'S Shown with their puppets at St. Patrick's Separate Sc
Week are Dan O'Shea, Lisa Morkin, Lori Lansink and Mike Porter.
Our son claims it's illegal for us to en-
force his bedtime. He says there's a
law against compulsory retirement.
Most of us could move mountains if'
only someone would clear the foothills
ool during Education out of the way.
RESTOCKING MORRISON — About 500 rainbow trout were added
to the Morrison Dam reservoir Monday. They should be in a hungry
mood for Saturday's fishing derby. Above, Joanne Stevenson gets
a netful ready from the fish hatchery truck and below Bob Murray
releases them to the lake. T -A gal
•
ST. PAT'S WIN IN GYMNASTICS — St. Patrick's School of Lucan won
the gold medal level in a recent London -Middlesex Separate School
gymnastics meed. Back, left, Poul O'Shea, Ed Van Kerkoerle, Mike
Porter, coach Jack Gardiner, Stephen Hebert and Paul Damen. Cen-
tre, Michael Haygarth, Nathan Brown, Loretto Foran, Katie Malone,
Daphne Damen, Kelly Malone and Melanie Chittenden. Front,
Christina Cifa, Shonna Maslen, Peggy Malone, Jenny Malone and Lori
Vanneste. ' T -A nhntn
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