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HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News-Record, 1976-05-13, Page 4et ,u ; '"'s + , P, PAY, MA" " 13r 1976 h e prevail The decision by the Divisional court Su, e a Court of Ontario last y f1as, without a doubt, rekin- in many of us our faith in our tem of government and our judicial system. The three judges' rulings that the o„verament can't just walk in and close what Isn't the government's, reinforces one of the strongest foun- dations of this wonderful country, - nobody). no matter how small shall be unjustly treated, even if it's by the government: The Justices carefully weighed the "Your number please" A milestone will be passed this Saturday morning when Oni will no longer handle most of our long distance phone calls and Ani takes over. The old gal, Oni or Operator Number Identification will be replaced by Ani or Automatic Number Identification, and with the change goes just a little bit of our history. But after Saturday, those still on multi-party lines or those on rural lines can still talk to Oni and hear her, in one , of her hundred disguised voices ask, "Your number please, while the rest of us in town, or on one or two party lines won't have anybody. case of the government's arbitrary closing of the four hospitals, and found the provincial government's actions Illegal. something people in this area were well aware of alt the time. There was no justification for the haspitat closures. A stable and responsible democracy can only function when each com- ponent has a watchdog constantly guarding it, and the, people believe in it. Our faith in due process has been renewed. Even the mighty government of Bill Davis does not have absolute power. Now that Oni•s gone for many of us, also gone will be the thrill of trying to guess which voice she would use next, Why, she had so many voices, that even impressionist Rich Little would be sick with envy. But everyone had their favourites and ours was an operator with a rather nasal twang that asked for your number in a voice that barked of authority. In a news release, Bell Canada said it cost $273,000 to replace Oni with Ani, plus add another 100 telephone num- bers to the Clinton exchange. One wonders who is paying that bill. Oh well, that's progress. Isn't it? The wild ones In a recent issue of Canada's so-called nation .1 ..tagatine, Maclean's, writer Walter-tewart has an article trying to show til. • Canadians are not the quiet. sober,, f;- .s decent people they think they are. I could hat .. t1/4,1d him- that years ago, and have used it L.: `..me in this column on some occasions. Perhaps the s • perpetuating myth, at home and abri..1 that we are sensible, tolerant, respectab», and rather dull, has been fostered by • our generally colorless press and equally colorless politicians. The facts. as Stewart pointed out, in describing several brutal and violent strikes, are otherwise: Canadians, on the whole, are not tolerant. I am young enough to remember when such expressions as "Jew him down" "nigger in the woodpile" "dumb Hunkie" and "greasy wop" were current in the home and on the street. If you came out with one of those today, you might just be looking for a purple eye or a fat lip from a militant . Jew, black. Ukrainian or Italian'. As a result, Canadians have switched their intolerance a bit. We can tell Newfie. jokes. because the victims are a long way off. We can tell Paki jokes, because the victims are pretty helpless. And if you are too "tolerant" to indulge in either of these, you can always run down the Yanks, and feel like a virtuous nationalist. Sober? Canadians are about the Iworst, drinkers in the world. with the possible exception of Scots, who get ugly, 'Irishmen. who get belligerent, and Poles, who get gloomy. Maybe we are the worst. We get all three. - ,lf you do happen to be a decent, sensible, r diddle -aged person. and you don't believe a word of this slander, drop in to your local bar or beer parlor on a Friday night. There are scenes that would make Hogarth. chronicler of the 17th century gin places in London, quail in his cravat. I once sat in a beer parlor and watched this scene. Four commercial fishermen came in. Tough, violent men. They sailed into the beer as though there were going to be a brewery strike within the hour. And within the hour they were drunk and ugly and vicious. One called another a "sonuvabitch,'R an old Canadian expletive often used as a term of affection. The other, in maudlin mood, retorted "Don't you talk about my mother like that." cracked his ilrmher. clataria Weekly Newspaper Association glass in two on the edge of the table. and jammed the ragged edge in the first speaker's face. Blood and language flowed freely, but there wasn't even a fight. It was just another Saturday night in Canada, and not untypical of an evening in that beer parlor. "Putting the boots" to someone who is down is something you might associate with the slums of Glasgow or Paris or Hamburg. It is not all that unusual on a Canadian Saturday night. Reasonable? Courteous? Canadians? Don't make me laugh. Just take a drive on a four or six -lane highway. Admittedly, most people fit those two adjectives, but there is a large minority who make Canada one of the worst places in the world to. drive, as any American will tell you. Just the other day I was driving on a three -lane, one-way highway. Solid old Bill was in the middle lane, gauge right on. the 60 -mile per hour limit. Suddenly, a car cut in front of me from the left lane, and, simultaneously, one from the right lane. Both were trying to get into my lane, about 50 feet ahead of me. They almost collided, before veering off like a couple of startled trout. Neither had any reason for passing me. I found myself almost wishing they had crashed, if it weren't for me being the filling in the sandwich. Ask the people of southern England about the First Brigade of Canadians in World War II. Find out something about the Halifax riots at the end of that war. Ask your Dad if he was among the Canadian troops who booed their own prime minister at Aldershot. in the same struggle. If I were in a tight spot, I'd just as soon have -.a Canadian back to back with me as anybody else. -We are tough and brave and resourceful. We have a wry gift for not swallowing BS. no matter who is dishing it out. But let's be honest. We are not a nation of gentle, reasonable, tolerant, dull, sober, clear -thinking nambie pambies, as so many nations, and so many of our own politicians, think us. We have too much wild blood in us, from all those immigrants who have been pouring into this paradise for 200 years. We are intolerant. We are bad drinkers and drivers. We have a propensity for violence that may explain our great reputation in a couple of wars. You can watch it all in the hockey playoffs. The Clinton News Record is published each Thursday at P n uos s9. (Mitten. (Tntarte. Canada. vaM ILO 11 Is registered as second class mail by the peri ellire under thr prrmil number 91117 The !Mews lrrcerd incorporated in Is2$ the Harem `ews Record. founded in Ilan. and the ('paten New Fra. founded In tags Total Orr $tai efl is 2,na Mreeetw► / anadtan 5 esmnnlnits Newspaper %%social ken Display advertising rites available en request it,b far Rale yard tie i efl'ertive oet. 1. rats. Editor • James E. Fitzgerald Advertising director • Gary L. Moist General Manager - J. Howard Aitken News staff • 1tiv Clark Subscription Rates Canada Sit per year U.S.A. • St2.S0 Single copy • .25c "For the last time — NO!" Odds 'ri' e n d by Elaine Townshend Pets ,e'ith skills I've never met a horse that could talk as fluently, as Mr. Ed or save people as efficiently as Fury. Likewise. I've never seen a dog as smart as Lassie or Rin Tin Tin or a cat as finicky as Morris. To this list of animal celebrities. though, I can add a few names. For example, Lady is a dog that knocks on doors. When she wants in, she raps three times on the door with her paw. If no one answers, she barks three times. If still no one answers she starts over again only a little louder. She never loses her patience no matter how slow those human door- men are. Another intelligent dog, Boo, puts his front paws on the edge of the bed while his six-year-old mistress says her prayers, and he echoes her amen with a bark. Queenie, part terrier and part Heinz 57, leaps on the back of the family's pony and takes a ride. Another trick she uses to gain attention is to push her head under someone's hand and rub it, for she's determined to be petted one way or another. Meanwhile, Jackie the cat rings bells when she wants out. A set of old-fashioned sleigh bells hangs inside the front door of her house. They often jingle when no one is near, and 1 wondered who the phantom bell ringer was until one day I saw Jackie tug them. When she wants in. she meows 1pudly like an ordinary cat or perches on the living room window sill until someone notices her. Corky is another cat that can't dance like his peers on TV. but he knows how to open doors. He stands on his hind legs And stretches to reach the knob with his front paws. • Although he hasn't yet succeeded in opening a door, he's on the right track. The purpose of most barn cats is to control the mouse population. I hesitate to call our cats lazy, but they won't slap at a mouse unless it runs over their paws. Nevertheless they're fat and sleek, because they get all the milkthey,can drink. Maybe they're not so dumb. after all. Although Nicki, an Arabian standardbred, hasn't saved anyone' s life yet. she obeys almost all her rider's com- mands, and she's learning to bow. Her master'hopes, to woo .some horse show judges with that little trick. Curly is a Shetland pony that had the run of the farm when she was a colt. She followed people around like a dog. Later, when she was broken in to the saddle, she decided when and where each ride should end. She simply laid down. taking the saddle and the rider with her. If the rider didn't get off in time, that was his tough luck. Not to be outdone by the other pets. Harry the Rabbit has a crowd -pleasing stunt of his own. When someone rubs his stomach, he rolls over on his back and pricks up his ears. Supposedly our pets are "dumb animals," but sometimes it's hard to tell who is leading whom. They cajole we humans into supplying them with food to eat and a place to sleep. Wish a purr, a woof. a neigh, a playful nudge. a lick or a beseeching gaze, they melt our harsh reprimands. They may never join the list of animal celebrities. like Fury. Lassie or Morris, but each of them has their own little tricks to keep their masters in line. From our early files. 10 YEARS AGO May 19, 1966 . Over $400 was realized from the drive-in bingo and movie Tuesday evening for Clinton and District Community Centre Centennial Fund. Brownie's Drive-in Theatre donated their facilities to a combined Clinton service clubs group in support of the fund. R. Craig Peters, who has served the Auburn -Clinton charge of the Baptist 'Church for the past five years as pastor. was ordained into the Christian Ministry at two separate meetings last Thursday. After playing to two full houses on May 6 and 7, the CHSS Student's Council presented its CHSS-TV Red and Blue Revue on Saturday May 14, in aid of Clinton and District Community Centre Centennial Fund. A cheque for $410 was presented to the fund. At 3 a.m. on May 15. 1966. William Dowson, Tuckersmith Municipal Telephone System lineman. pulled wires at the new dial house, and with flashes and shooting of sparks, popping of' fuses, the subscribers on Bayfield central went on dial. He was assisted by Steve Meidinger of the Hay Municipal Telephone System. It took only a matter of seconds. It was on March 17, 1949, that service on the Bayfield switchboard was inaugurated in the Malcom -Toms building on Main Street. with Mrs. Malcom Toms as chief operator. Mr. Jack Caldwell, Hensall took the last shift as operator 10 p.m. - 3 a.m. on the old board. Calvin Christian School Society has awarded the contract for building two classrooms and a supply room. as an ad- dition to their present school. on Percival Street, to Cale Doucette. Clinton builder. The original building was erected in 1962 with a modest two classrooms. A former Ottawa man. retired chief engraver of the Royal Canadian Mint. Thomas Shingles and a Toronto artist are the winning designers in the limited competition tor the Centennial Medallion, Canada's Centennial Commissioner John Fisher announced. The Medallions, more than 5.500.000 of them will be distributed to all Canadian school children grades one to 13. as reminders of the Centennial Year and its significance to Canada and to Canadians. 25 YEARS AGO ' May 17, 1951 Kenneth Wood. 17 -year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Edwin Wood, Londesboro, has been selected as one of the 16 cadets from Western Ontario to attend the national army cadet camp at Banff. Alberta. July 5 w August 15. He was chosen by cadet headquarters for his all-round efficiency. Mayor Nott reported for the committee on officers etc., and read the Chief Constable's April report. in this, the Chief referred to the need for some kind of uniform for the acting Constable. it was suggested there were some spare uniforms which might be available from the Fire Brigade. W. Robert Miller, 21. accounttint of the Royal Bank of Canada branch at Woodbridge. formerly teller at the Clinton branch. and son of Deputy Reeve W. J. Miller, Clinton. figured prominently as one of the victims of a holdup of the bank early4Thursday afternoon last. Plans to erect a new public school in Clinton ware ad- vanced definite step Monday when ratepayers went to the -polls and approved the fallowing question by 265-162, a majority of 103: "Are you in favour of the Town of Clinton issuing debentures in the amount of 3300.000 for the erection of a new public school house?" Building inspector Grant W Rath has issued building permits to the value of $64,000 in Clinton this year to date as compared with $52,000 for the whole of 1950 - an increase of $12.000. • • s An event of interest will be marked quietly on Sunday May 20. when one of Clinton's most esteemed honoured citizens will mark an event which few will attain, and will set a record -at least as far as Clinton is concerned. It was on May 20. 1891, that John W. Shaw, M.D., first began prac- tising medicine in Clinton. and 60 years later is still carrying on in his chosen profession. much beloved by hundreds who have found in him and through his services the comfort they have needed in times of illness. and in times of sorrow, the doctor's kindly thoughts and deeds have been expressed to many. Clinton takes off its hat to Dr. Shaw on this auspicious occasion and sa fs. "Thank you for a job well done. and one that is still in the doing." S0 YEARS AFO May 20, 1926 It was a great satisfaction to the residents of Varna and Bayfield when the news was phoned from London police station that the bandits who had been helping themselves so freely hereabouts had been captured. Mrs. Edgar Butts of our village has recently put in a clear vision gasoline pump. which adds greatly to the wants of the motorists. The Clinton Knitting Co. made their first shipment of hosiery to New Zealand last week and this week received a large order from Georgetown, Demerait. British Guiana, South America. E.S. Livermore. son of Mr. and Mrs..Ja'mes Livermore. and student at Osgoode Hall. Toronto. has again accepted a summer charge for the United Church of Canada. This year he a will be stationed at Lockwood. Sask. William Smith Harland, one of the oldest businessmen in Clinton passed away in 96th year. 75 YEARS -AGO May 17, 1901 For some time there has been an agitation for the erection of a new post office in Clinton. the present building lacking in several respects the accommodation necessary. The Government. realizing that the interests of the public should be better served than they can be under existing circumstances, has placed the sum of 35.000 in the sup- plementary estimates --for the erection of a suitable post office building. This will be a matter of decided gratification to the people of the town, who see their long - cherished desire within reasonable reach of ac- complishment. The item has yet to pass the House. but there need be little doubt of it doing so. W. Wheatiy had men and scrapers at work preparing the site of the new Methodist church for the foundation. The brick work of Father McMenamin's new parochial home by U.R. Prior is progressing speedily. The fine weather of the past week with its occasional showers has enabled 'farmers to make good progress with its seeding and spring work. The fruit tees in the orchards are out in full bloom. You will have fewer flies later in the season if you go over the house every morning with a damp cloth and kill every fly that seeks the warmth of the sqnny window pane . This will prevent the hatch of hundreds later on for the naturalists say 600 is the average brood of a single f'ly During the Pan -Exposition 40 trains a day - 20 each way from 7 a .m to I p.m. - will leave and enter Toronto Union Station to and from the G.T.R. and C.P.R. It should be kept in mind two or three clauses of the fisheries regulations regarding speckled trout for the local inspectors have received strict instructions to have the law carried out in every detail. It is illegal for any person to catch in any one day more than 50 trout or more than 15 pound ' of trout. • Yes! Dear Editor: Say. is it true that the .residents of Vanastra are planning a bottle drive to raise money to buy Clinton, fix it up. and sell it to Blyth? This is what 1 have heard .is . afoot, and I just wondered whether you could confirm it. I think it's a wonderful idea, myself. Extremely. Reginald Thompson, .Eggs Dear Editor, I would like to enlist your co-operation again this year in assisting us to carry oUt a research program on Ruffed Grous supported by the Ministry of Natural Resources. If you could bring the following information to the attention of your readers, we would be most ap- preciative. As part of a continuing research program on Ruffed Grouse at the University of Guelph, we are attempting to collect a sample of eggs from the wild. The eggs are required to provide grouse for use in the research projects. Because of the great dif- ficulty in locating nests, it is necessary to have the co- operation of as many people as possible. Anyone loeating a nest within one hundred and twenty-five miles of Guelph ' asked to mark the location, but not to disturb the nest. They should contact us by phoning collect to: Betty Campbell (519) 824- .1120 ext. 2703 during offitce. hours. At other times. call collect to: Al Garbutt (519) 821-3056; Don Price (519) 821-1207; Murray Pengelly (519)824- 0255. We will come and pick up. the eggs as soon as possible and will pay the locator one dollar per egg for his trouble. The number of eggs collected in an area will not be sufficient to harm the local grouse population. All captive birds are. of course, given the best possible care. Your co-operation last year was most appreciated. Th birds raised from eggs w collected have allowed us t make a number of significan findings. Thank you for your co operation. Yours sincerel Allan Garbo for A.L.A. Middleto Associate Professo University of Guelp Empty Dear Editor: I just received a clipping the mail which is so tim that passing it on seem appropriate. Under th heading "Sad to report" the article said: "On April 20. 1974. the government of Sri Lanka (formerly,,,Ceylon Y banned all opposition meetings and demonstrations which had been scheduled for the next day in protest against the soaring cost of living. It'also shut down the only in- dependent newspaper group which voiced 'such opposition. and clamped a 24-hour "stay indoors curfue" on the people. Two days later. to the consternation of the gover- nment. the state-controlled • Ceylon Daily News carried the following obituary notice: O'CR ACY . - The death occurred under tragic circumstances of D.E.M. O'Cracy. beloved husband 0 T. Ruth. loving father of L. I Rertie. brother of Faith, Hope and Justilia, Interred ° on Sunday. 20th. inst." Democracy, truth. liber* faith. hope and justic evidently no longer live i Ceylon! Sincerely yours C F. Barney Clinto News -Record readers are encouraged to express their opinions in letters to editor, however, such opinion do not necessarily represetl the *pinkies of the New Record. Pseudonyms may be u by tetter writers, but no tett* will be published unless it +b be verified by phone.