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HomeMy WebLinkAboutWingham Advance-Times, 1977-11-09, Page 41.0 H; ADVAACE In grateful remembrance One of this weekend's magazines carried a front page heading, "For What" and the lead story implied in words and pictures not only the sordidness of war but that the awful sacrifice was in vain. We, of a generation which lived through a world war, feel in- creasingly that younger people believe the men and women who fought through those terrible years actually wanted that war to occur — and that we were proven to be incredibly stupid. If that's the way you think it is time you learned something more about the young Canadians who suffered death and mutil- ation on your behalf. The sailors and soldiers and airmen of two world wars didn't like what they had to do any more than you would. They fought and died because there was every good reason to believe that a victory by the German enemy would mean enslavement and worse for their Canadian mothers and fathers; their sisters and wives and all the dearly loved children they had to leave behind. They did not fight for glory; the vast majority did not fight because the govern - Timis ment told them to. They fought to let all the rest of us live in freedom. Few of those young warriors believed that the battles in which they fell would be the end of all wars. They fought because they could not bear the vision of their families bowed in shame and tor- ment ,Ipefore a ruthless conqueror.• They were not deluded., They knew without any doubt the fate which had overtaken the Jews of Poland and Holland; they had heard what was happening to millions of conquered Russians. The Canadians and their allies fought only because the horror of defeat was immensely more terrible than the privations of war. Next Friday morning when the Last Post sounds think not of young men who wasted their lives in useless conflict; think instead of all those brave men and women who stood between you and a mortal enemy and preva i led. They were young, straight of limb, True of eye, steady and aglow; They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted And they fell with their faces to the foe. Drama in high places By great coincidence the introduction of television coverage of the proceedings in the House of Commons came just as one of the most stirring episodes in recent Canadian history began to unwind. We watched spellbound last Thursday evening as Ontario Television carried a full two hours of the question period in the House•as the opposi- tion parties tore into the government for its handling of alleged RCMP illegalities. As TV coverage increases its scope the dullards and incompetents in elected office are likely to find themselves less comfort- able before a national audience. Conversely, those members who are capable and who offer responsible representation will become better known to Canadian citizens. In the crossfire of questions and answers the leader of the Opposition, Joe Clark, appeared to take on new• stature as' the government's chief critic. True, the man who asked the questions has an immense - advantage ,over the one who must provide the answe'rs', some of them embarrassing. However, the prime minister's performance under fire was not tremendously inspiring nor were his answers indicative of any deep:rooted fear that the nation's security forces might be getting beyond the control of parliament. In both Britain and the United States all -party committees have been established to control the security branches of law enforcement bodies. Thus there exists a guarantee that no single party can use the police to further its own ends — but that committee must be consulted when activities of doubtful legality are contem- plated. It is reasonable to suppose that some bending of the law must be condoned when 'the police are engaged in activities\involving' highly organized criminals and terrorists. That does not mean, however, that only senior police officers should have the power. of deciding whaf laws to break. Surely the example provided by the uncontrolled power of the CIA and the FBI in the United States should be ample warning of the dangers involved. Growth should be stopped During a recent television interview form- er mayor John Lindsay of New York City ex- pressed the opinion that many U.S. cities are headed for the same fate as New York — bankruptacy. He believes that most of the major cities in his country will have to be "sided by federal funds in order to survive. If that is actually the case, then, of course, all the citizens of the nation have a right to demand whatever action \ is necessary to curtail the drain on their tax dollars. In Ontario we are fortunate so far. Toronto for example, has escaped the deterioration of the downtown area which has marked the decline of so many American cities — notably Detroit. However, future growth may spell the same fate for our provincial capital. Throughout the history of the world the same problem has existed. The movement of both immigrants and farm dwellers to the big cities has eventually destroyed the city structure. Vast congregations of human beings in one confined area pose insur- mountable problems — roads to be built, public transportation to be provided; police, fire water and sewage systems to be main- tained. ain- tained. Eventually the total cost of all these You'll have to c Human beings are comical creatures at times. For the past couple of years wood stoves have been selling like hot cakes. All kinds of them from open -front Franklin heaters to replicas of that most inefficient of all heating devices, the box stove: Because of their sudden popularity these throwbacks to the ice age are bringing prices that stagger the imagination. Nor is their popularity ascribable to the need for conserving oil and electricity — it has become "the thing to own". It would. be a safe bet that most of the stoves are going into homes where father is still too young to know 'i'lything about the cleaning of stove pipes every fall. Personally we would rather freeze than go through the nightmare of stove pipes all Dver again. Our services becomes so staggering that the tax base from which the revenue must be raised proves inadequate., Why, we wonder, do we not have laws to limit the size of a city? Yes, the politicians immediately howl 'that you can't legislate where people will live. That is nonsense. We already tell all sorts of people they can't live oh farm lands unless they are farmers. Our laws can forbid a commercial enterprise from being located in.any number of areas. All this is termed "planning" and is generally 'conceded to be in the best interests of the general' public. Why, then, is it impos- sible to tell industry and business that Toronto is already too big and they will have to locate elsewhere? If employers were forced to locate in less densely populated areas the workers would move with them and the sprawl of urban centres would be effectively limited. Nor would it be necessary to sacrifice class one farm lands to accommodate the new cities. They could well be located on the southern edge of the Canadian Shield, only a scant 60 miles north of Toronto, in an area which sadly needs employment opportu- nities and which would provide delightful living conditions for itsi residents. n the pipes memory is stijl fresh to cut fingers and rag-. ged temper after fighting to re -assemble those pipes after they had been taken out in the back yard to be emptied of accumulated soot and ashes. Hopefully today's home owner will locate his stove close to a chimney so the run of pipes will be as short as possible, because after he has carried wood all winter and has taken out the ashes every second day he is going to be a bit disillusioned about ail the joys of the good old days. Oh well' There really is something cheery about an open fire and the smell of wood smoke in the air, so perhaps the pleasure will be worth that horrible job of cleaning the pipes THE WINGHAM ADVANCE -TIMES Published at w'itighain. Ontario. by enger Bros. Limited Barry Wenger. President Member Audit Bureau of Circulations Member --- Canadian Community. Newspaper Assoc Subscription $12.00 per year Second Class Mail Registration No 0821 Robert O Wenger. Sec -Treas Ontano Weekly Nev.spapers Assoc Six months S6 50 Return postage guaranteed '( 4'•:•:i •}..:.moi. .�. - A page of editorial opinion Wednesday, November 9 Did you know? . . The Turnberry Agricultural Society was formed in the early 1860's for the purpose off holding a' fall fair in the community each year, The first fair was held in Victoria Square in what we now call Lower Wingham. In the 80's it was moved up -town to where the swimming pool is now locat- ed. It had to move again in 1887 when the CPR arrived and built its tracks and station on that location. The next site was the Gregory Prairie, which was not suitable, and it moved again to' the Driving Park across the river from that salt block, (where the Legion Hall is now). It had a half mile track, the outline of which can still be seen, This track was reported to be the fastest one in the area. Wingham was noted for its race horses at that time in our history, for example Harold H. and Darky Hal owned by Swartz of the Queen's Hotel. Full size paintings of these horses remained in the hotel until very recently. But in time the interest in racing declined and the track and grounds were neglected. The footbridge across the river, leading to the grounds, became unsafe. A flood washed the .south half down the river; a later flood finished the job. The concrete abutments still remain to show its location just west of William Street. The fair then moved back to Victoria Square. Memorial gates were built to honor Great War veterans of Turnberry Township. Unfortunately the fair was discontinued in the late 1930's. The signs were removed from the gates and the show buildings torn down. New Books in the Library MEMORIES OF THE SKEENA by Walter Wicks Walter Wicks was born in Danzig Germany in 1891. In 1900 his widowed mother brought Walter and his older brother to the valley of the Skeena where "she married Frederick Wicks, an employee of the North Pacific Cannery. At age thirteen, Walter, a strapping lad, became a Hali- but fisherman on the North Pacific Coast. In 1915 he married and in order to augment his in- come to prepare for an enlarging family he worked at a variety of trades in the blossoming "New City" of Prince Rupert. These included stints at telegraph line repair, carpentry (he built a house at this time for his parents — it is still in use today J, axeman and railway section -man. It was after 1958 that Wicks took up writing. He has published several stories for newpapers and magazines. At age 84, Memories of the Skeena is his first full length book. TODAYSCHILD BY HELEN ALLEN Johnny is such a big, sturdy -looking baby it's hard to believe he has a medical problem. • The blonde, blue-eyed boy was born healthy and normal. but at three months had meningitis accompanied by seizures. The seizures are controlled by medication but it is net know what the long-term effects of this major set -back will be. Johnny is in good health now, but is developing slowly, though his doctor is pleased with his progress. He is a joyful, happy baby, easy to look after because he is always good- natured and not at all demanding. He loves energetic games. Johnny needs a mother and father who can accept his medical history without dismay and who are also prepared for the fact that he may be intellectually limited. Parents who can face the uncertainties in his future will have a' lovable baby boy' . To inquire about adopting Johnny, please write to Today's Child, Ministry of Community and Social Services, Box 888, Station K, Toronto M4P 2H2. In your letter tell something of your present family and your way of life. For general information about adoption contact your local Children's Aid Society. -- ::;•yrs-:. News Items from Old Files NOVEMBER 1930 The members of the public shool board who retire this year are F. J. Hill, James S. Isard, W. F. Bergman and J. M. Graham. Owing to the removal from town of T. Y. Smith there will need be an additional one appointed over the customary four. At a special meeting of the Vestry of St. Paul's Church John Morgan was elected People's Warden in place of the late Alex Porter. Despite the stormy weather there was a splendid crowd at the United Church supper. The ladies served about 700 people in the space of two hours. The ladies of the church for the first time real- ized and appreciated the great improvement made in the base- ment during last year enabling $them to seat 350 at one time. Per- haps the greatest asset is the kitchen addition on the south side of the new part. Wilfred Arthur won the old time fiddlers' contest at the Remembrance Day Celebration held at the arena and attended by over 1,000. Mr. and Mrs. J. O. Habkirk were winners of the old time waltz contest and Mr. and Mrs. H. Ross danced the best schottische. Winners of the national dance contest for those under 10 were Etta McDonald, Ann VanWyck and Kenneth Crawford. Jean Copeland was elected president of the Wingham CGIT group which met in the United Church. Vice-presidents are Muriel Campbell and Wilma Dow; secretary is Norma Coutts and treasurer Betty Walker. Miss Bridget O'Malley of Whitechurch, who has been nurs- ing on probation on St. Joseph's Hospital, London receives her nurse's cap this week. At a meeting of the Liberal executive of the riding of North - Huron held at Belgrave, H. B. El- liott of Wingham, Mrs. Robert Davidson of Dungannon, Miss Blyth McLaughlin of Gorrie and J. R. Wendt of Wroxeter were ap- pointed delegates, to the provin- cial convention to be held at Toronto. Fifteen inches of snow fell in London between 8 p.m. Wednes- day and 8 a.m. Friday, a record for November in that city. NOVEMBER 1942 Lieut. Reitta Ellis, who has been in charge of the Salvation Army work in the community for the past year and a half, is being transferred to Dunnville and leaves to take over her charge this -week. Her successor ,,,rbe Lieut. William Bennett who has been stationed at Fort Erie. Fred Bates, a former manager of the Chainway Store here, re- cently graduated from the Radio School at Clinton andwas promoted to the rank of Pilot Of- ficer on his graduation. During the summer months, the garages of town remained open until 9 p.m. on Saturdays. This privilege is now withdrawn and service stations and garages will not be allowed to dispense gasoline after the hour of 7 p.m. any day. At a meeting of the Wingham Retail Merchants Association, G. L. Dunlop was elected president. Vice-president is Harry Fryfogle, treasurer H. E. Isard and secre- tary Ed Williams. Harold (Bonnie) Foster has ac- cepted a position at the Commer- cial Hotel, Blyth, commencing his duties last week. "Bonnie" was a valued member of the Wingham hockey team and has lived here for the past two years, employed at Fry and Blackhall's. Congratulations are in order for Mrs. T. L. Torrance on having one of her pictures, "A Sunflower Study", in the exhibition of paint- ing and sculpture of the Royal ,Canadian Academy which open- ed in Toronto. It has been learned that about 1,400 more men in Western On- tario will be called in December for compulsory military service in the Canadian Army. Miss Merle Wilson, Reg. N., of Whitechurch has taken a position on the staff of the Wingham Hospital. -. Miss Elizabeth Mills, A.T.C.M. of Blyth, has been engaged as music supervisor at SS No. 5, fifth line of Morris. For over a month, "Main Street on Saturday Night" in towns and villages in Ontario and Quebec has not seemed the same. Lights in shop windows and all electric signs have been out since 'Sept- ember 20 when the Munitions and Supply order went into effect for the conservation of vital electric power. NOVEMBER 1953 About 350 deer were shot in the Huron district during the four- day season last week, according to Conservation Officer Ross Wormworth. About 1,000 licenses were issued in the area. Wingham people donated $825 to the funds of the recreation council in a blitz for funds con- ducted by the council. The money raised will be used for a winter sports program and will help provide ice time for the minor hockey teams. Mrs. Burns Moffatt was pre- sented with a life membership certificate in honor of her years of continuous membership and "You fool you mean to tell me you've been exchanging our perfectly good counterfeit dollars for Canadian dollars?" service at the meeting of the Wo- men's Missionary Society of Knox Presbyterian Church, Blue - vale. The presentation was made by Mrs. R. Turvey and Mrs. -Wil- liam Mundell read the address. Rev. John L. Coyle of Wingham Baptist Church will be the guest speaker this week at the opening services of the new church edifice of the Faith Baptist Church in Mount Forest. Ewart Whitfield has been ap- pointed treasurer of the Town- ship of Howick to succeed the late Aldrid Wearying of Wroxeter. The village of Fordwich wel- comes Mr. and Mrs. Neil Baylor and daughter Tanis of \Wallace Township who have taken up re- sidence in the home they pur- chased from Roy Gadke. At the regular meeting of Mor- ris Township Council, a by-law was -passed prohibiting the dis- charging of fire arms by gun clubs or organized groups. The decision was made because of the damage and destruction to prop- - erty and domestic animals likely to be caused by members of organized Rod and Gun clubs or similar organizations. NOVEMBER 1963 Five candidates for the priest- hood will be ordained at Bishop Cronyn Memorial Church, Lon- don, on November 30. They in- clude Rev. George Anderson, Gorrie; Rev. Herschel Wilgar Hamilton, Sarnia; Rev. John Robert King, Lucknow; Rev. Walter E. Pickford of Windsor and Rev. Howard Steinburg, Warwick. Mr. and Mrs. Alex Corrigan were presented with an easy chair by their friends in the 19th Field Regiment who assisted in last summer's regimental re- union. Alex was largely respon- sible for organizing the reunion of the regiment in which he was RSM. Mr. and Mrs. Allan Pattison have sold their farm to Mr. and Mrs. I. K. Weber of Burgessville and held a very successful sale. They have moved to their new home in the Wilkinson Apart- ments on Minnie Street. Rabies clinics for dogs and cats started earlier this year in the northern part of Huron County, have been extended to the central areas and plans are underway for a broader coverage. To date, owners of 577 dogs and 180 cats have taken advantage ,of the op- portunities to reduce the expo- sure of humans to a fatal infec- tion. Good weather has assisted workmen installing trunk sewer for Wingham's new system. Crews are now laying lines to the north of Victoria Street in the Riverside Park. Mrs. Alex Graham was elected president of the Howick Legion Auxiliary for 1984'. Her vice- presidents are Mrs. George Hamilton and Mrs. Jack Clarke. Secretary is Mrs. William Austin and treasurer Mrs. Mel Allan. At the November meeting of the Lakelet Women's Institute, Mrs. Gordon McKee was present- ed with a china cup and saucer on the eve of her departure to Walkerton. Ten new members were invest- ed as members of the local Cub pack. They are John Downton, Steven Tiffin, Paul Swatridge, Bill Brown, Ray Robinson, Rus- sel Foxton, Mark Douglas, David Tiffin, Toni McLaughlin and Bobby LaRose.