HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1957-10-03, Page 1110th Year—No. 39
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A dual presentation to aid with furnishings for the new hospital wing was made by the Kinsmen
and Kinettes at their joint installation meeting. Past president Earl Rawson presented a $1,000
cheque on behalf of the Kinsmen to George Parsons, chairman of the property committee of the
hospital board. Mrs. Stan. Youngblut, past president of the Kinettes, presented another $1,000
cheque to C. F. Chapman, secretary of the hospital board. From left to right are: Mrs. D. J.
Patterson, president of the Kinettes; Mrs. Youngblut; Mr. Chapman; Mr. Parsons; Mr. Rawson;
Len McGee, president of the Kinsmen Club. Photo by Henderson's
last Ditch Stand To Avoid
Curtailing Train Service
Last hope of changing the pre-
sent plan to curtail CNR, train
service between Goderich and
Stratford, effective October 21, may
have been kindled at a aeeting
held at Clinton Monday night. At
this tinge officials of the Board of
Transpp t Commissicr_1 heard pro-
tests from municipalities affected
by the proposed curtailment.
In the meantime, the CNR its
running advertisements in this
newspaper and in other newspapers
in municipalities which will be
affected by the change to the effeet
that; early morning. train out of
Goderich. and the • train in late at
night will be discontinued .,as of
October 27. There is no doubt in
the 'minds or the railway officials
as to what they intend to do.
Mr. J. L. Bourgault, of Toronto,
district inspector for the, board,
explained at the 'Clinton meeting
that it was held for the purpose
of giving the public an opportunity
to give reasons why the curtailment
should not be made. If it is made,
there will be buteone tram ip and
Town Assessment
out each week day_
First announcement of the pro-
posed curtailment was made at
a meeting held at Clinton on
August 29 when representatives of
municipalities affected met with
CNR railway officials. At this tune
a resolution was passed by the
mie icipal 'representatives object-
ing to the manner in which the
railway made .its, decision without
firsa consultitteate municipalities
concerned in the matter. Copies
of the resolution were sent to
Elston Cardiff, M.P., end Hon. Mr.
Monteith, MJP.
No doubt, as a result of this,
the matter was brought to the at-
tention of the Board of Transport
Commission.
In an explanation at the meet-
ing at Clinton on Monday, Mr.
Bourgault, district inspector of the
board, said, "Railway companies
do not have to apply to our board
for -a reduction of train service.
The only knowledge we get of
such a step is when we receive a
public reaction."
This reaction undoubtedly came
by way of the resolution protest to
the aforementioned M.P.s.
Mr. Bourgault said that if, after.
studying the protests, the board
considers them justifiable, a re-
quest will then be sent to the
C.N.R. to continue the service as
it now is. The matter will be
weighed, taking into consideraticu
the claiimed financial loss of the
railway in operating the passenger
service, and on the other side, the
claimed inconvenience to the peo-
ple of this district : i curtailing the
service.
Mr. M. E. Angus, of Ottawa,'
operating assistant, stated that all
railways are experiencing a reduc-
tion in passenger trains as a mea-
sure of economy.
Numerous' protests were made
by representatives of the various
municipalities concerned. Repre-
senting . Goderich at the meeting
were Mayor J. H. Graham, Deputy -
Reeve J. M. Donnelly and Council-
lors C. M. Robertson and Frank
Walkom.
Appeal Turned Down
lartat="4" tar
GODERICII, ONTARIO,
THURSCT T. POPULATION
, 1 5D DROPS
5,753
�AE'A V14: Single C°D4e5
THREE YEAR DECREASE, 235
0
Want GDCI To Revert
To Standard Time Now
Goderich District Collegiate In-
stitute Board, meeting Tuesday
night, received a request from East
Wawanosh Township Council that
the school revert to standard time
as of September 29.
The board directed that a reply'
be sent, advising the township
council that since the town is re
maining on daylight saving time
until October 27, it is felt that it
would curly add to the confusion
if the gthool changed beck before
that date.
It is understood that Clinton and
Seaforth secondary schools are now
operating on standard time. It is
reported that at Listowel the high.
school is on standard time and the
public school is on daylight saving
time.
In dealing with the Oast Wawa -
nosh request Tuesday night, mem-
bers of the GDCI Board noted that
September 29, 'the date on which
the township council wanted GDCI
to revert to .standard time, had al-
ready passed. It was felt that con-
tinuance of daylight saving time
for a few more weeks would not
work too great a hardship on those
people residing in areas that have
already changed back to standard
time.
It was announced last week that
clocks were being turned back on
Suiday in Dungannon, but the
Port Albert School was remaining
on daylight saving time.
In other business dealt with
Tuesday night, the GDCI Board
gave permission to the Badminton
Club to use the school gymnasium
on Tuesday and Thursday nights,
except, when the gym is needed
for certain special events.
oBETA SIGMA PHI
Members of Beta Sigma Phi held
a meeting Wednesday night of last
week at the home of Mrs. Gladys
Nicholson. It was decided not to
have the Hallowe'en dance this
year. Plans for entertain:ug
"rushees" were made. The topic
"The Artist's Landscape" was given
by Mrs. Marjorie Miller.
0 0 --a)
WINS MANY PRIZES
Mrs. Ivy Jewell was the winner
of thirty-five prizes at Bayfield fair
last week and was also awarded
$5.0Q as a ,.prize for a fruit cake.,
Still Room For More
In GDCI Night Classes
Around 60 persons have regist-
ered so far for,night classes at
Goderich DistricCollegiate Insti-.
tute. This is'in addition to the
people who are taking the 'basic
English course which has been in
progress for some time now.
More people are expected to come
in as the classes get under way,
says Principal A. R. Scott.
There are.about 13 in the shop
work class, which is to start Mon-
day at 7.3) p.m. Enrolment in the
sewing class now totals 15. The
sewing classes will be held co
Wednesday nights.
There is room for more students
in the typewriting, bookkeeping
and home building courses. These
three classes are to be held Monday
nights. -
About 14 have indicated- that
they will take the typewriting
course, while eight persons have
expressed interest in the book-
keeping course.
It is hoped that there will be
more coming in for the home
building course, which has an en-
rolrrient of seven persons at the
Moment. This course is conduct-
ed by R. H. Collie, VLA inspector
from Stratford.
The basic English course, which
has been proceed:rig at the old
collegiate building for some time,
will now be moved to GDCI. This
course, which is of special interest
to New Canadians, has been going
on under the direction of the com-
munity programs branch of the
Ontario Department of Education.
Judge Rejects Bid To Save $15,000
10% More In Taxes To Live Here
A bid to save several thousand
dollars of local taxpayers' roc.+_ley
was rejected by Judge Frank Fing-
land as a two-day hearing wound
up here on Friday afternoon.
As a result, even though Town
Council doesn't think so, Goderich
is still rated as 10 percent better
then any Bother town in Huron
County.
And local residents will go on
paying extra taxes for the privilege
of living here.
The Ctnton judge disallowed
Town Council's appeal against
the 1957 assessment, which
forms the basis ori which
the town pays taxes to the
county. It also affects' the
share of GDCI expenses paid by
the town.
Goderich properties, which have
been assessed five percent higher
than -corresponding properties in
other Huron towns for the past few
years, were this year assessed 10
percent higher thee properties in
the other towns.
This 10 .perrcrit differential
might mean as much as $15,000 to
local .taxpayers, said J. K. Hunter,
town solicitor, at otie point in the
hearing.
County Assessor Alex A. Alex-
ander underwent lengthy question-
ing dur:rig the hearing.
Mr. Hunter submitted that the
County Councils equalization com-
mittee has not been carrying out
its functions, but' has merely been
"rubber stamping" what has been
crone by the con ty assessor. p
' Mr. Hunter asked what was the
point in the five -man committee
making a four-day tour of the
county earlier this year, presum-
ably for the purpose of equalizing
ass essrrre n ts.
"They didn't do anything; they
went arou.rid for the ride," charged
the solicitor.
iHe contended that in the past 10
years the equalization committee
has never once made any change
in the assessment schedule drawn
up by Mr. Alexander before the
committee goes on the tours.
The town solicitor attacked the
manner in which the differential
between assessments here and in
other Huron towns was increased
this year from five urp to. 10 per-
cent. Mr. Hunter said that, though
he would consider it a major
elunge, it was not mentioned at
all in the assessor's report to
County Council.
• "A Matter Of Tirnirig"
Mr. Hunter suggested it ,was
matter of timing."
No change had been made dur-
ing the previous few years when
Goderich had a represtative ori
tyre equalization committee, said
Mr. Hunter, "hut the first year
that Godierich was off the commit-
tee, ties-, axe falls."
to'Au solicitor also drew
attention to the fact that the
county assessor had not touched
the differential when Goderich was
enjoying "boom years." He sug-
"a
JUDGE FRANK FINGLAND
gested it was odd, therefore, that
the assessor should increase the
differential this year when he knew
that town population was decl'oiing
and that there had been other ad-
verse factors, .such as factory lay-
offs.
Mr. Hunter contended that the
assessor had not explained this in-
crease in differential fully to the
p equalization committee, but Judge sensor, the differential was knock-
Fingl;_nd did not feel that the ed down to five percent. This year
assessor should be responsible for it was increased to 10 percent
making such explanations. Mem- again.
bers of the committee are presum' Members of the present County
cd to know what is going on, said Council equalizatiui committee are
the judge. the chairman, Reeve Roy Adair,
In giving his decision, Judge of Wingham; Reeve Clayton Smith,
Fingland said: "I am go:ug to dis- of Usborne Township; Reeve John
allow your appeal as far as this Deeves, of Goderich Township;
1957 assessment is concerned, be- Reeve Orval Taylor, of East Wawa -
cause I can see no basis on which nosh Township, and Reeve Ivan
I should disturb the combined re- Forsyth, of Tuckersmith Township.
commendations of the county as- Last year, the chairman of the
The Barometer
Unemployment is almost
double that of last year at this
time, according to the statistics
of the National Employment
Office at Goderich which serves
most of Huron County. There
is a total of 268 unplaced ap-
plicants now in comparison to
146 at this tiirne last year.
There are 170 reales listed as
seeking employment in con-
trast to 87 last year, There
are 98 females unplaced in
contrast to 59 at this time last
year. Seamen off the lake
boats and construction work-
ers are believed to form the
majority of unplaced male
applicants.
0 0 0
BOAT TRAFFIC
AT HARBOR
Traffic of grain carrying boats
into Goderich continues compare,
tively light for this season of the
year. On Monday the Bricoldoc
was in with grain from the Lake-
head. A grain boat in on Sunday
was the Maunaloa. On the same
day, the ImperialWelland was in
with gasoline for imperial Oil.
Last Friday the Brown Beaver
was in and last Thursday the
Superior.
On Saturday the tug lan Mac
aced for Amherstburg where it
will be engaged in Vvork connected
with the deepening of the chenne1
at the mouth of the Detroit River.
This is in preparation for bettering
navigation for the St. Lawrence
Seaway Project. In charge of the
Ian Mac on its trip to Amherst -
burg was Jimmy Reid and accom-
panying him was "Mac" MacDcri-
ald. -
0- 0 -0.
KNOX CHURCH' LADIES' AID
TI.L4NKED FOR THE $1,000
¥'he Ladies' Aid Society of Knox
Church met on Friday last with
Mrs. A. Straiton presiding. The
prayer was given by Mrs. C. Bissett,
and the Scripture by Mrs. J. Baker.
Total Taxable Assessment
Is Now Up To $5,831,012
Showing a'decrease for the third
consecutive year, Goderieh's popu-
laticn for 1957 was announced to-
day by Town Assessor Ed Jessop
as 5,763. This is a drop of 131
from the 1956 population figure
of 5,864. -
The 1956 figure was a decrease
of 76 from the 1955 population
which was 5,960. The 1966 popula-
tion figure was a drop of 28 from
the 1954 population figure of 5,988.
Thus, in the past uhf ee years, the
population of Goderich has had a
combined decrase in population of
2035.
Peak population year was in 1964
when it was officially announced
as 5,988, although it was announc-
ed as 6,001 unofficially a week be-
fore the official announcement.
In - 1963, the population was
5,675; in 1952, it was 5,242; and
:n 1951, it was 4,934.
The decrease in populgtion is
not shown in any one or more
particular polling sub -divisions in
town, according to Town Assessor
Yessop. There is a slights genera$
drop all, over town and the de-
creases range from half a dozen to
as many as 25 in any one polling
sub -division, he stated.
Assessment Figures
The total taxable assessment for
1957 has been announced ,,ban
$5,831,012. This is an increase of
$106 over that of fast year
since the total taxable assessment
'for 1956 was $5,724,380.
The increased assessment is trac-
ed to the new loading bins and
scales at the Upper Lakes and St.
Lawrence Transportation Company
together with a number of new
houses and additions and some new
small businesses.
The business assessment this
year is $621,112, which is approx-
imately
pproximately $3,000 more the n was the
figure for last year.
The total taxable assessment
does not include churches and
other public buildings which are
exempt from taxes.
AIR CADET NEWS
Cadets Complete Move
ToStation At Clinton
Members of Maitland Air Cadet
Squadron, of Goderich, have taken
up new training quarters in the
ARDS• Hangar at Clint:,i RCAF
Station.
The Maitland Cadets, who have
trained at Sky Harbor in previous
years, moved to the new location
through the " kind permission of
G/C2 Cameron, commanding officer
of the Clint ii station. A bus
takes the local and district cadets
to the station on training nights.
A reading was given by Miss I. With the parade last Tuesday
Matheson. night, everyone connected with the
A letter was received from the squadron Was very pleased with the
Board of Management thanking the
society for the second $1,000
cheque of the year. P1: ns for a
rummage sale and forthcoming
banquets were made.
0 0 ®o
PLANNING BOARD
The Goderich Planning Board
met on :Monday 'evening at the
new quarters. (a-lcts will have
the use of one half of the h:rigar
for the general fall -in parade, drill,
sports and films; also four large
classrooms, and the indoor rifle
range.
Other space made available in-
cludes three. offices. One will be
used by the commanding officer
Town Hall :u an effort to ,peed and padre. one for the adjutant
their- work, now in progress for ; rid chief instructor• and one set
several years. Another meetiir., up as a supply room, for issue of
is planned for October 2lst-
equipment to cadets.
Training will be much the same
type as before, but it is generally
felt by the officers and instructora
that this move, with the extra
facilities for training, should bring
a great future for the squadron.
Flying Officer D. King, of Clinton
IIiCAF Statiin, who for the past
year has been liaison officer for 532
squadron, has done much to fug
thee the aims of the squadron,
particularly in the Iast few we te.-
in arranging the move from Sky
Harbor to Clinton. Many how
of planning end hard work have
gone into this and the officer ;.
instructors and cadets would like
to give their sincere thanks for the
splendid job done.
Flt/Lt. J. M. CutLannounced ua
Saturday—that the Maitland Air
Cadets will be sponsored this year
by the Goderich Lions -Club and e
fuller account of this sponsorshi
will be given at a later date.
Mr. Anderson reports from the
orderly room that the squadron
-ticngth to date st;iids 4 103
Sp r Junior ckey
Local hockey officials said to -day t A meeting of the clubs is to he
that prospects for icing a strong held Sunday. in New Hamburg. In
contender in the OHA Junior "B" attendance will be a delegation
hockey race look very good. from Goderich, including -Jack
• Plans for the new tepm are Evans. Ted Williams, Charles Lar --
gathering momentum. A public der and Walter Rathburn, presi-
meetirfg is to be held next Tuesday dent of Goderich Booster Club.
night at 7.30 in the Town Hall. -- -
Everyone interested in hockey
is urgently requested to attend
sessar and the equalization com- e'qualizati a committee was Gode this meeting as plans for the new
mittee plus the consideration of i rich's reeve, J. H. Graham, who is j entry will be brought forth at
County Council in passing the - now mayor. that time.
equalization by-law." A number of persons appeared Charles Larder has volunteered
Judge Fingland stated, "I feel
that what you are asking me to
do goes beyond what has been
established by the evidence." He
said that he was, in effect, being
asked to set his judgment aga list
the combined judgment of the as-
sessor and County Council.
He stressed that his rejection of
the appeal applied only to this
year's assessment schedule.
Share Court Costs
He ordered that each party pay
its own .costs. He said he felt
there had been some merit in
bringing the matter into focus and
as witnesses during the hearing.
All five members of the county
equalization committee were sum-
monsed, but only Reeve Adair, of
Win ham, Reeve Deeves, of Gode- as coach.
rich 'Township, and Reeve Forsyth, Jack Evans and Ted will be in
of Tuckersmitri, were called to the charge of lining up players for
to - act as manager of the squad
and Ted Williams, who has coach-
ed two Goderich midget teams to
Ontario championships, will serve
stand by Mr. Hunter.
Several Persons Testify
Other witnesses called by the
town solicitor included E. II. Jes-
sop, town assessor; Harold Bettger,
of Herco Sales Co.; R. M. Menzies,
the club, and work has been done
already along this line:
The club's entry fee has already
been sent to the OHA. The- new
Goderich team will perform in the
of Upper Lakes & St. Lawrence .Junior "13" Western T)ivision' tviih
Transportation Co. Ltd.; Jack Free- five other clubs—London Lou Balls
man, of Dominion Road Machinery Woodstock. Sarnia, St. Mays and
he thought both the town and the Co. Ltd.; Harold Shore, local real Seaforth.
county might derive some benefit estate broker; Reeve E. 1'. fisher Interlocicirig Schedule
from the_hearing. :rid J. E. Huckins, former mayor • 'The locals will play a double
He commented that assessments of this town. I schedule with the five teams men -
are only matters of opinion in the County Assessor Alexander was tioned above and a single inter -
final :rialysis. called to the stand by the county locking schedule with the Central
Decision to appeal a $186,385 solicitor, R, C. Hays. Division teams Burlington. Kitch
ener, Waterloo, Galt, _ Brantford,..
Owen Sound and Guelph.
The members of the Boaster j
Club, who have !wen in,:trumental
in organizing the new team, have
advised the OTTA of a preference
for Saturday and Monday as dates
for home games here.
Three or four graduates of last
year's champion midget squad have
left or will he leaving shortly to
attend hockey schools sponsored
by other junior and pro hockey
clubs, but this does not necessarily
mean that these lads will ;ill he
leaving Goderich.
The players referred to above
include T)ave Leeson, I,arry Jeffrey' l
Bill Galina? and Ron Williamson
Rud Williamson, who played jun
for "R" hockey last year with
Dixie Bee Hives in the Metro Lea
gue, has left to attend the Barrie
hockey camp.
other Harron towns. The county been drawn up 'before the com The teams of the Western Divi-
action was sustained at that time mittee went on its tour. sinn OITA Junior "R" T,eague are
in : r' appeal heard by Judge T M Mt grunter asked, "What ova` the sehedrlled to Mart ployine Novem
Costello. In 1952, after local of point in the equalization committee bor 5 The local team should h..
fie.als interviewed the county as- . (Continued on page 4) practising by October 20.
_ —__ jump in town assessment figures a Defending the county assess -
was made by Town -Council last want methods, 'Mr. IIays .said that
.July. At that time, members of Goderich- is in a much preferred
..Town Council openly wondered if position to any other municipality
1 the county had tried to "slip one because of its deep water harbor,
over" on the touri. two railroads with interswitch rig
Plans Guide To Increase
Town officials were unaware of facilities and other attractions.
Visits ere Of U.S., the jump until the county sent Mr. Hays predicted that comple-
• •
There are only about a third as will be more numerous than ever
many U.S. eab-n cruisers coming in the iione too distant future. Theinto Lake Hurter and Georgian Bay ninny owners of cabin cruisers in
the ;Michigan area, particularly
ports as there should and could be. ar=ound Detroit, like to cruise to
So said Ken Wells, of near Mid- lake -Huron and Georgian Bay
land, soon after he stepped off his port.; but they are a bit timid in
boat "Dot, of Midland" when it doing so. Part of the reason is
that there is no book or guide to
pulled into Goderich harbor late make sail'r.g into these poi is more
Tuesday afternoon. easy. There is no book to give
Mr. Wells, columnist with The them complete information as to
Toronto Telegram some yeaes ago what can he found at these ports in
and the author of several books, the way of needed repairs for boats,
pla►is to write another book. Ile points of interest to sen, etc.
is busy collecting material for it So, Mr. Wells plans to publish
and his call at Goderich harbor a book entitled, "Lake Huron 1
on Tuesday was foe that purpose j Cruise hook." In it he hopes to
Mr. Wells explained fhat cabin have informatic rt which will make
cruisers are increasing in popular the book saleable to the owners
ity by leaps and bounds and they of these cabin cruisers who won:d I r
over a copy of the by-law to estab- tion of the St. Lawrence Seaway
lish asse,ssment't of ,municipalities. , wi.11 result in a boost to Goderich
like to visit Lake Huron ports. Town .Council was informed that assessment and greatly increase
Ile hopes the book will rid these nothing had been said or put ri revenue to the county.
amateur sailors of their fears to the official minutes at the last Assessor Questioned
visit Lake Huron ports because of County Council meeting about. the 'n the lengthy cross-examination
increase. - of Mr. Alexander, Mr. Hunter sug-
Goderich is considered the "par" gested that the equalization cone
town for the county. This year mittee its meant to examine the
all other towns in the county are rolls, but the county assessor had
assessed 10 percent- lower than construed it to mean just himself.
Goderich, villages are assessed 20 Mr. Alexander agreed with the sug-
percent lower and some farms are gestion that. County Council had
assessed 35 percent lower. never authorized him to examine
Background Of Dispute the rolls.
The assessment dispute dates Under questioning, Mr Alex
back to 1948 when ]oral asseas- ander also agreed that a schedule
ment was boosted 110 percent above of assessments for the Bounty had
their lark of knowledge of them.
The hook will contain a descrip-
t;on of all the ports and inform-
ation about them.
Arriving at Goderich harbor at
the same time as Mr. Wells was
`''The Bayfield, of Ottawa." It, is
a Government boat doing.a hydro-
graphic survey. The personnel are
also gathering material for the aid
of cabin cruiser operators to en-
able thorn to find their way around
ake Huron easier. The book is
called "Great Lakes Pilot" but in-
formation in the issues published
'o far is considered somewhat in
wed of revision.
I ns
officials of the Booster ('lub have
expressed the,hope that everyone
who is intereted in hockey wit.)
.get behind the new team.
Also. all local and district play
ers who are of junior age are
urged to turn out.
0
The eheque for $5,000 has been presented by the Lions' rlub 4.c
aid in furnishinii the new wing of Alexandra Hospital. I Receiving
the cheque is Mrs Dorothy Eaater, hospital superintendent, from
Glen Gardiner, president of the Lions Club. S -S Photo by RIR