The Goderich Signal-Star, 1956-03-01, Page 1PROF. J. C. ROBERTSON, M.A.,
LL.D.
J. C. Robertson
Dies, Aged 92
In the charpel of Victoria College,
Toronto, where he had served with
such distinction far so many years
as a member of its faculty', the
funeral service was ?held on Mon-
day afternoon of Professor John
Charles Robertson, M.A., LLD. In-
terment was made in Mount Pleas-
ant cemetery. Many members of
the faculty of the University of
Toronto, as well as former
students whom he had taught,
attended the service to ,pay
their last respects to an honored
teacher.
Attending the service from
- ,Godoricle was JL Robertson, a
broths ,` retired publisher, of the
Goderich Signal -Star. Another
brother, A. M. Robertson, for many ,
years on the staff oche Goderich
Collegiate, was urfable to attend
the sere/ice.
Barn in ' Brampton, Professor
Robertson • moved with his parents,
the late aVIr. and Mrs. W. R. Robert-
son, to Goderich in 1870.
Member of a distinguished Gude-
p rich family, Professor Robertson
- r = ineafied at Goderich Public
School and High School.- Later,
he attended University College,
Mk Toronto, and Johns Hopkins
University, Baltimore. He was a
gold medalist in, classics at the
University of Toronto and had a
brilliant career as a schglar.
- He was •classical master at
Brampton High School, Owen
Sound Collegiate and became first
principal of Toronto Junction High
School, Author or joint author
of several ,beaks on Greek and
Latin, Professor Robertson became
'a member of the senate of the
University of Toronto in 1906 and
was named delegate to' the first
Congress of Universities of the
Empire in London in 1912. He
was a member of the Massey
Foundation Commission, on Meth-
odist Colleges in 1920 and 1921..
Professor Robertson, whose
death occurred at his home, 409 s
Brunswick avenue, Toronto, on
itriday in his 92nd year. after a
brief illnesS, wa - a former dean
of the Faculty of Fine Arts and
professor emeritus of Greek at
Victoria College. He retired 'more
than. 20 years ago.
He was a member of the Mada-
waska Club and of the United
Church of Canada.
Surviving are one son, H. Grant
Robertson, of Taxon, two bro-
thers, A. M. Robertson, and W. H.
Robertson, both of Goderich, two
granddaughters and ogle great-
grandson-. His wife,` the former
Eleanor Toye, died several years
ago.
Contest For
Bird Houses
An eitecutive meeting of the
Goderieh Horticultural Society waa
hekl Wednesday evening of haat
week, with the president, H. Glenn
Hays in the chair. At the meet
ing, it was decidei to sponsor a
birdhouse buildinrecontest, open
to all school children from the
age of 10 to 16. Prizes will be
awarded for the three best robin
shelters and the three best general
type birdthouses. Arrangements
will be made later to offer the
birdhouses for sale.
An ant poster contest, advertis-
ing the Horticultural Society, is
also to be sponsored. This will
he open to both girls and boys
from 10 to 16 years of age. Prizes
willabe awarded to the three best
poeters in the contest.
The next meeting of the satiety
will be held in MacKay Hall, Maack'
21. New members will be welcome
and may obtain their membership
tickets at Pridham's Men's Wear
or Fanerson's Drug Store. Mem-
bers are asked to wateh for the
advertisement to appear in this
paper, giving full particulars of
the meeting.
0 -
Hugh Hawkins
Liberal Head
More than 300 persons attended
the banquet meeting of the Huron
Liberal Assaciation in the Zurich
Community Centre -Friday even -
Minister of National Health and
'VVelfare, was guest speaker. Fol-
lowing the banquet, the Associa-
tion was reorganized .w„ith Hugh
R. Hawkins, of Clinton chairing
the meeting. About 20 Liberals
from Goderich were present.
James Scott, Seaforrh, a provinc-
ial organizer 'for the Ontario Lib-
eral party, headed the nominating
committee and brought in the fol-
lowing slate of officers which was
approved:
Honorary preeidents: Senator
Robertson, iGoderich; John Mc-
Nabb, 13,,R"." 2, Brussels; Pat 'Sul-
livan, Dashwood; John A. McEwen,
Zurich; Charles MacKay, R.R. 2,
Kippen, Murdock Matheson, R.R. 3,
Goderich; MTS. John M. Geyenlock,
Seaforth; Elmer Dennis, McKillop
Whyte, Seaforth; Brawn Smyth,
President, Hugh R. Hawkins,
Clinton; secretary, Harold Shore,
Goderich; assistant secretary,,
Bruce Erskine, God•erich; treasur-
er, Roy Lamont, Zurich;
District vice-presidents: 1
&ter, Stephen and Usborne, Grant
Hicks, Exeter; 2—Hay, -Hensel',
and Stanley, Earl Campbell, Hen-
an; 3e -Town of Goderich Col-
borne, West Wawanosh and Ash-
field, Robert Simpson, Kintail;
Goderich Township,
Hullett and RCAF -Station, Clinton,
Ephraim Snell, R.R." 1, Clinton;
5—Seafarth, ,McKillop, part of Hib-
bert Township, and Tuckensnaith,
Dinh, East Wawanosh, Grey and
Morris and the village of Brussels,
William Bison, Gorrie.
Also acting as vice-presidents,
will be Cliff Dunbar, Ethel, presi-
dent of the Huron -Bruce Provin
cial Liberal Association, and IVan
Kalblieisch, Zurich, president of
the Huron Provincial Liberal As -
Federal Minister interested
In Local Hospital Progress
Although icy roads prevented
the Hon,. Paul Martin, Minister of
National ,Health and Welfare, from'
visiting Alexandra Marine and
General Hospital, Gaderich during
his trip to Western Ontario last
week, he assured a meeting of
about 300 Huron Cou,nty Lib,erals
at a banquet in Zurich, Friday
night that "any official request
fram the Go,derich Hospital Board
for a Demihion grant will receive
careful and sympathetic consider.
ation."
The Minister said he regretted
being unable ,to visit Goderieh but
that he was aware' of the plans
for an addition to the hospital
here. "We will be very interested
in Pee ing the plan,s when they are
ready to present them," he 'said.
Jgartin told the meeting,
assured Or our continuing interest.
We are making great strides in
„. health care in Canada, because of
'4 the Fplendid cooperation that ex-
ment and the voluntary orgaoiz-
ations in the health field,"
Following. these rettriarks, he
made particular reference to the
fortheoming mass cheat Xamy
vey in Huron County, which coni-
mences May 14f sponsored by the
ron County TB Association. "I
am sure," Mr. Martin said, "that
those in charge of the tampaign
will rece iv e the widest „ support
from the citizens of this county."
"If the present terapo Of. TB
control work continues, and rale
smne measture of co-operation pre:
vaila, we will be able, perhaps,
in a disease that 25 years ago was
regarded as among the foremost
killoS, to get. it well under eon.
•
Mr. Martin said that it would be
in the interest of eVery itizen in
Huron -06'unity to take advantage
of this X-ray survey.
Speaking of the progress Canada
is making as a nation, Mr. Martin
said: "Look at the growth of Clin-
ton, Exeter, Goderich and Zurich
as examples of the growth of
Canada. . Not all can be attributed
to Liberal administration, but it
has greatly contributed to this
progressiveness."
"We are one of the few countries
left in this world where true demo-
cratic government remains," said
Mr. Martin, referring to the ex-
cellent turnout in the unfavorable
weather. He said that if we do
not get out'and Support our demo-
cratic political parties we will soon
be like those ceuntries in central
Europ,e and Asia. "Our liberty
cannot be maintained by politics
alone, but by everyene ,of you tak-
ing, an interest" the minister said.
Me. Maetin had great praise fo-
the Prime Minister, who he said
will again lead the Liberal party
in the next election. He eaid, f`Mr,
St. Laurent holds prestige in world
politics." He said the Prime Min-
ister has long recognized that to
have good government in Canada
iseto have good understanding and
co-operation With the provincial
gperernments and world govern -
health scheme, Mr, Mein said
Referring to a propos6d national'
the federal go:Verrill-tent • will give
financial and technical assistance
to any responsible scheme in eoo
operation with the' provinces.
ineurance .nnest include all
pereons---farnaers must not be left
out, att. Martin said.
Dttrine, his trip to Weeteva On-
tario, Mr. Martin paid 'vleito to the
(hospitals in Clinton and Igleetker.
GODERICH, ONTARIO, THURSDAY, MARCH lst, 1956
A small part of the more' than 100 farmers- from all over Huron County
who attended the. barn meeting of the Huron County Holstein Club
at Bisset Bros., on Thursday afternoon last are shown above. They
gathered in the ice ,Cream plant of Bisset Bros., after -the meeting,
where they were served ice cream and hot chocolate. Some of them
went into the cold storage plant where it is a constant temperature of
30 degrees below zero. In the background the farmers wave their
cups in a salute to the hospitality of Bisset Bros. In the foreground
are seen, from left to right: G. W. Montgomery, Huron County agricul-
tural representative; Gordon Bisset, host to the gathering; W. Hume
Clutton, secretary of the Huron County Holstein Club; Bert Dunn jr.,
of Bayfield, president of the elub; Gordon Bell, St. Marys, district
fieldman for the Holstein Friesian Association.
Photo by R.H.
County Holstein Club Meet
At Bisset Bros. Draws Many
The spacious dairy barns of
Bisset Bros., atop picturesque Sea-
ford , Heights, was the setting
Thursday afternoon lairfee 'a barn
meeting'of the Huron.County Hol-
stein Club. More than 100 farme
from aH parts of Huron Vaunt
attended the event, the 'first of its
kind held at the Bisset Bros. farm.
In welcoming. the visitors, G -or -
don Bisset gave a brief 'review 91
the fem. This included the facts
that 150 dairy cattle were kept on
the farm which was made up of
more than 500 acres and that most
of the feed. for the cattle was
grown on the farm.
Chairman of' the barn meeting
was Bert -Dunn; jr., Bayfield, presi-
dent of 'the Huron County , Holstein
Club. He was assiited by W. 11u
Clutton, R.R. 5,1 Gaderich, secre-
•tary of the club.
"Farmers have a definite need
for ventilation systems in their
barns,". said H. E. Bellman, Walk-
erton, agriculture engineering
fielalman for the Ontario Depart-
ment of Agriculture for Huron
and Bruce counties. Speaking on
"Ventilation in dairy barns;"
said, "The 4health of peodueing cat-
tle is important and a ventilation
system in barns tO prevent cattle
sickness really pays off."
Gordon Bell, St. Marys, district
fieldman for- the Holstein Frieeian
Association, congratulated ..the
Huron 'Comity elub for the excel-
lent program they had arranged
and the exceptionally fine turnout
tlfe ieVent. He stated not
enough breeders were taking ad-
vantage of selective registration.
As an example, he said that only
19 of 120 herds 4in Huron County
had been visited by the grader.
In a contest, following the dairy
cattle type demonstration, Win-
ners judging were: Al Sher-
wood, of Dungannon-, and Vern
Hunter, of iHensall. Winners in.
the junior divisiomewererlohn Fea-
gan, of ,Codborne Township, and
Murray Forbes, of Goclerich Town;
ship.
"Feeds and feeding" wes the
'subject of Den Carman, of Lucan,
feed, supervisor for the errited
Farmers Co-ops fer Western On-
tario. "Emphasizing the import-
ance ,of the right time to cut hay.
for the maxim,um teed value, Mr.
Corman stated, "When hay is cut
early in June its feed value is hall
as much again as if the same
hay is cut in mid-July." He warn-
ed agaMst the force-feeding • of
Aiding in' the carrying out. of
'The meeting was G. W. Montgom-
ery, Huron County agricultural
representative.
Memories!
"We still read our old home
town paper from cover to
cover every week—ev.en to the
ads," writes Dr. J. Benson
Long, Red Deer, Alberta, in
renewing his subscription to
the Signal -Star.
Continuing, he wrote: "I was
quite interested to read in the
happenings of 45 years ago
where my old boyhood pal,
Roy Walter, and I had won a
debate at ane G.C.I. Literary
Society. Dr. J. M. Field was
the then principal and the
- venerable Dr. H. I. Strang was
still teaching on the staff.
Such memories are priceless!"
Fish Tale!
Three Goderich fishermen,
Charles Fernier, George Hoff-
man and 'William Brownlee
are wishing that a report
'which appeared in a distriet
daily newspaper earlier this
week had been true. The re-
port stated that the trio had
landed unusually large catches
of whitefish swinuning in
schools off the C.P.R. lakefront
siding. near -the point where
the mineral spring flows into
the lake.
As it turned out, their
catches were not whitefish,
but shad. These fish are not
too common to these waters
and are not considered to be
a very tasty dish. When fully
grown, they may be as long
as 16 inches and resemble
North Street
Men's Club
More than 50 attended the ban-
quet meeting Monday evening of
the Meri's Club of N,orth Street
United, Church when Ralph F. Wil-
son, associate secretary of. United
Church men, was the guest speak -
He was introduced by George
Parsons and a vote of thanks was
moved by H. S. Turner.
Ed. Stiles, presid,ent of the club,
was chairman. Minutes were read
by the secretary, Howard Heath.
More than 700 attended the
camp last summer, said J. A.
Snider, 'giving an account of the
Summer School on No. 21 Highway
north, which he directs. He stated
the school was started in 1925 as a
(Contieued on page 4)
Vaccine Shots For P. School
Students Soon After Easter
At least 15,500 Salk polio Vac;
eine shots will be administered to
the elementary school children in
Hurron County after the Easter
holidays. Dr. R. M. ALdis, head of
the Huron County Health Unit, at-
tended a meeting of public health
officials in London Friday and
learned that the vaccine would be
shipped early in April.
The total figure represents two
inoculation.s within a month of
each other to the 6,000 elementary
school children who did not re-
ceive shots last year. The other
3,500 shots will be given as second
and third immunizations to the
children who received either one
or two shots last,year. It will be
the third inoculation' for most of
the 3,500. The s,h,ots are given to
the children only after a request
form has been filled out by the
Because of the lateness of the
shipping date of the vaccine, DT.
Aldis said he wasn't certain whe-
theft any pre -school-age children
will reeeive immuntzation this
year. It is hoped that as many of
these children as possible call lie
given shots, but Dr. Aldis explains
that it is not advisable to ad-
minister the vaccine once the
warm weather and polio season
has' set in. Whether or not the
pre -school-age children will re-
ceive immunization depends large-
ly on the time left after the school
children have been handled and
the amount received by the county.
The policy this year is to allot
the vaccine to the provinces in
accordance with the population.
One hundred years ago—in 1856—the old Huro.fi County Court
shown above, was officially openetle work having started on its con-
Struction in 1854. In May of tAis year, exactly a century later, the
new Huron County Court House will be officially opened. Premier
Leslie Frost has been named to officially turn the opening tey. The
tentative date is May 29. To salute this historic occasion the Signal -
Stark will be p blishing a special issue, replete evith pictures of the
ii
old Court lious , the old Gourt House being burned down, and. the new
Court House h all Its varioue stages of construction. , There will he
many interestigg articles, dealing Mostly with the history of the old
House,
•
Court
some
House.
Work has been progressing on this specialejesue for
weeka now. Those wishing advertisements, in this souvenir
number are asked to reserve 'space for same before' the end of March.
The Signal -Star is seeking to obtain any unusual picture of the olti
Court House which might be used for publication in the special issue.
While we have seen several, taken from various angles, there .might
be in the possession of some one some particular photo not seen
before. The Signill-Star would be grateful to any of its readera.avho
might inform us where such a picture might be obtained. It must be
reasonably clear and bright Tor reproduCtion purposes4. Ally inter- ci
eeting artieles relating to the old Court Muse would alsd be welcome. i
The Gaderi and School
Home
Oratorical conteets were oleeesteet-
ed during this period. , '
_While Mrs. C... Cutt held the "'
presidency frona Isn to 1930, ,Dr.
Gollow Introduced tomids' into the
,Gederich schools. Mrs. ilgsset
spoke ,briefly and told how,"during
.4eseciation celebrated their Mli.
anniversary aCtheir pleating, Tues-
day night. Feature of the meeting
were the reports given by past
presidents and their experiences
with the Association.
Mrs. A. Taylor spoke on the
conditions which. preveiled durin,g at _the entrances to ',the 4cluvl,
her term as president from 1926 Manual training ,for 'Wye Illegal/
to 1928 and told how, at that time, and sciseorS'ild yarn *ere .proVid-
there 'Were no free books for the eed- for the girls. Kitchen equip -
children, no first-aid supplies, play-
ground or kitchen equipment and period.
few welfare benefits for the teach-
ers. She explained that it was the
aim of Association to create public
interest in the school work and
right these wrongs. The first
thing accomplished, said Mrs. Tay-
lor, was the obtaining of milk for
the children. Next, a school nurse
cords and- playground equipment
The meeting learned how Mrs.
A. Courtice, founder of the Home
and School Associations in Canada,
visited Goderich in February, 1923,
and organized the first group at
Victoria Street School, with Mrs.
F. R. Redditt as first presideqt.
'a -During Mrs. A. Palmer's term
as president, from 1928 to 1930, a
music instructor wes hired and a
money raising campaign involved
the collection of old newspapers,
which bronght the Association
While Mrs. C. M. Robertson was
president, beginning in 1930, more
playground equipment and a lant-
ern and lantern slides were pur-
chased. The first woman to ait on
the Public. School Board in Gode-
rich, was elected tluring Mrs.
Price's term in office, in 1932.
ment was also added iduring this
Mother's Choir
' Mra. J. Graham told how dur-
ing the 1931-38 period, a mother's
choir had been formede, sewing
materials were supplied and a new
curriculum was introduced, Miss
Hume,' who was president during
the 1942-44 peribd, told of the war
relief work and knitting that was
done during these years. A recre-
ation convener.was also picked and
a public health nurse was hired
on a full-time basis.
Mrs. C. Worsell spoke and re-
minded the 'members of the "Save
The Children Fund" campaign held
at the schoohs. Two orphan child-
ren were sponsared by the group.
She' also mentioned the forniation
of the Glee Club and- -concerts
Mrs. F. Saunders spoke briefly
and outlined the -organization of the
former Victoria Street Home and
Sehool.group. In 1950, the Central
School organization disbanded and
amalgamated with the Victoria
group, to become known as the-.
Goderich Home and School Assobia,--
ation. The 'first president of. the
new combined groups wasa Mrse
Mrs. P. Hill in 1952 and next,
Mrs. H. Doak. :Mrs. R. H. Cornish.
is the present president. - , --
Mrs. R. Glousher read letters
from -past presidents who were un-
able to attend the meeting. They
were: Mrs. Wilmont, Mrs. Persons,
Mrs. I. Videan, Mrs. Sanderson,
Baxter, 'Ws. Snider;
Videan. sang Ithe lovely
by Mr. J. F. Stephens at the piano,
At the 'close of the !fleeting Miss
Videan sang "My Task."
Rev. S. H. Findlay, was guest
speaker .'for the evening and was
introdticed to. the gathering by
Mrs. Young. Rev. Mr. FindlaY
chose asehis- topic, "Teaching to
Beat the Devil."
Rev. alaresEindlayeasold the group
in Canada. He. stressed the ixn-
portance of education. -and said
that it involves about 20 per cent
of the population of this count*.
• "Teaching involves the mind, the
spirit and the body of youth," Rev.
Mr. Findlay said. "As well as
being concerned about the child's
health in body and mind, we must
be concerned about hisspirit," he
stated.• He pointed out that this
involves learning the principles of
living and overcOming disease and
ignorance and readying him for
life. Rev. Mr. Findlay said the
child should be taught to be re-
sponsible and 'know about Christ.
"The Bible is a book which ahould-
be read and become well-known
Following Rev. Mr. Findlay's-ad-
dress, the .Association's birthday
cake was cut by Mrs. Gordon
Waltens. The meeting was largely
,attended, with the membership
now totalling 175.
Can You Help?
Overnight accommodation.,
for young hockey players dur-
ing Young Canada Week is,
again sought via an ad else-
where in this issue of theee,
. Signai-Ster. One of the most
magnificent gestures made
during this week is the very
generous respanse of people of'
Gederich end district in open-
ing up their homes to accom-
modate the visiting boys. If
they did not do this, a grave
problem would be created.
FortunatelY, no such problefn
exists because of the generos-
ity of district residents. Last
year as many as 150 boys were
billeted in district homes' in
one night, not only in Gode-
rich but also in farm homes
a far away as Benthiller and
lf way to, Clinton. Once
again, Young Canada Week
officials are looking to district
residents for a repetition of
this generosity. 'See the ad
for details.
---0
' ALONG WEST STREET !
The Signal -Star office has been
completely re -decorated and
gleams shiningly new in its fresh
coat of paint. The work was ex-
pertly done by Bill Drew and Jack
Williams. The move is to keep
up with the progress of West,
street. Among the latest improve-
ments is the fine new front of
Cul,bert's Bakery, the new store oi
Ken Pennington and now the mod-
ernizatien of the interior of Croft
Dry Cleaners.
Ontario Surivey Favors
Shopping In Evenings
More than two-thirds of the
people intervieWed during an On-
tario -wide survey just completed
favored evening shopping. This
was the third similar poll in re-
cent weeks, all three having in-
dicated a strong public dernan,d for
evening shopping privileges.
The polls and results were as
City of Kitchener,,by Greneau Re-
search Liniited-75 per cent
favored evening sbopping.
All of Ontario, by Grunea,u Re-
search Limited-- 69 4 per tent
favored evoning shopping
Goderieh and ,other centresin
Huron County were included
in this Province wide survey
Reeeetly, member newspapers in
the Canadian Institute of Public
Opinion (Gallup Poll) published
results of a nation-wide study on
the same issue, revealing that 69e;
of the public favored evenin,g shop -
In the Most recent (Ontario) sur-
vey, as in these for Kitchener anti
for all Canada, the major objec-
tion proved to be the fear that
if stores re ma i nod Oben in the
evenings, clerks might have to that it, would be handy for peopi
work longer hours, However, *ork. Other reasons given,
when it was pointed out that'store were: that it generally be
clerics were proti%eted from ee. more conVenient; that children
ploitation under other ,provincial , could not be left during the day:
laws, end that evening shopping that husband and wife can ellOp
would not result in longer hours, together; that stores are lens
The predominant reason given
The Ontarip asurvey covered', for not wanting-evenin chopping
rural areas, ‘-'t7ciNsais 'under- 19,0001 Wag that Ulna 1.vagnwalvinitmel6
in .populatfon, and citie-.4. Of these' it anti that people nen tin)? ,ittat
who said they would lik0 to have ; as 'easily during the, day. `fht
week, the largest percentage was , ing thapiling 1=13 heeattae ,Of Oft-
reporded in the toeefie, where 78.0 cern, for 0141,40:17a:`, hut n#0103" balf
per .tent of rose questioned were ; of theseyintheated that they would
favor, ciO1 ipared with 04.4 per favor evening tlio ->ing it employ -
Rural areas comprise 26.9 `per
cent of Ontario's population, towns,
12.4 per cent, and cities 90.7 per
cent.
Information for the Ontario sur-
vey was gathered by recognized.
sampling techniques through inter-
views with men and women across
the province, in cities and, towns
and on farms.
Purpose of the survey was to
section of Ontario persons toward
the evening opening of stores. The
question Ilas become a controvers-
ial one in a number of centres in
Ontario and elsewhere in Canada.
The 'percentage of those inter-
viewed for the Ontario survey is
made up of those who said they
would like stores -open ane evening
a week (56.5a4), those not in favor
of one evening opening a week but
in fevor, of 'two evenings (1.1%)
and those who when first question-
ed said they were not in favor of
if,4 he in favor if elerits
did /cot have to work more hours,
The predominant reason- given
for wanting evening shopping was
•