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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Huron Expositor, 1931-12-11, Page 1nela, 'lee 'fee 7:4 'o,771,7771 io,,,Fatooin44.4tEra.,44144fx.s4.4.adzia,....tr4tare.144.4, 74.44a4t4,144.4.44.4.1.44111,444.4441,14:444,41)11,4141,41,444,,, 4,4r4tVi ,• • • • .4 Seventy-second Year Whole Number 3339 4.0i4.414614,1241441.444,44.61,41144114. SEAFORTH, FRIDAZ -14), ,E$ 193L Col. Anthony VanEgmond, and the Rebellion of 1837 i0-HUron County. Written for The Expositor by W. Brenton Kerr, M.A., Oxon., Ph.D, Tor. Prg. Kerr asks any per- soits having in their pos- $ssion letters or papers bearing on the early his- thOUIuro Countyl, to 1*e their names at The Aftositor Office in order `tgat he may compare the hifOrMation contained .therein with that already in his possession. CHAPTER XII • MONTGOMERY'S TAVERN In the election of 1836 the Reform- ers had suffered a serious reverse. They ought to have had no difficulty in seeing that in Upper Canada a t large as well as in that small portion thereof known as the Huron Tract, they had lost votes principally be- cause the indiscreet language of their extremists had given colour to the charges of disloyalty continually brought against them by the Family Compact. After the election they found themselves obliged to devise a policy in view of the new circum- stances. The moderates felt that dis- creet conduct in a period of waiting might suffice to reconvert to their side the electors of, the province who had no love for the Family Compact and had left the Reform fold only through temporary alarm. But dur- ing the early months of 1837, the ex- tremist group among whom were William Lyon Mackenzf, Dr. Rolph, Dr. Duncomlbe and Samuel Lount, turned their thoughts toward more violent courses, being no doubt in- fluenced by reports of discontent verging on rebellion in the lower Province. As the summer advanced, Mackenzie permitted a more and more inflammatory tone in his paper, and soon he was actively at work organiz- ing revolt. Even from his own point of view the venture ought to have appeared a wild gamble in view of the hostility of the people of the province so clearly expressed at the election. But in 1837 Mackenzie seerns to have lost his head, at least temporarily. Meanwhile Colonel Van Egrnond was active in •Huron. The -Misses Lizars report that the farmers of the Tract "had been told more than once by Van Egmond that if they wanted anything they would have to fight for it." A minute of the Tuckersmith commissioners as early as January, 1836, reads: "Met January 16th at the house of W. Fowler and consider- ed the disturbed state of the township in consequence of a meeting held by a Mr. Van Egmond. The commission- ers agreed to adjourn until March 12th, meantime to present a petition to the House of Assembly." This pe- tition however, if it were ever sent, is not now to be found in the Ontario Archives; and this reason we are in ignorance about the nature of the Colonel's meeting, although we may surmise that discussion of the Can- ada Company and the Family Com- pact occupied a prominent place on the agenda. The commissioners soon discovered another difference with Van Egmond; during 1637 they fought to compel him to do statute labor and in the end they made a forced sale of his goods to the amount of one pound nine shillings and three- pence, or $7.50. Why ,the Colenel re- fused to pay a sum so trifling to him is not recorded, but he must have con- sidered that some principle was at stake. It is clear that the Dutch vet- eran left no stone unturned in his en- deavor to rouse discontent in Huron County. Probably he was acting in, close concert with Mackenzie; perhaps he sent Mackenzie letters and receiv- ed replies and instructions; but con- cerning these matters we can only guess. In the fall of 1837 Mackenzie had committed himself to the attempt at revolt. ,During the hird week in No- vember, Rolph expressed his desire to secure a trained military reader for the insurgent army. In answer Mac- Kenzie stated that he could obtain the services of one of the most efficient and thoroughly trained officers in the country, and named Colonel Van Eg- mond. This conversation suggests that Mackenzie had kept his dealings with the Dutchman to himself and had preferred not to inform his colleagues. Several days later, about November 24th, Rolph learned that Van Egmond had consented to take the command and would be at Montgomery's for that purpose early on December 7th. Why the rebel leaders did not sum- mon the thoroughly experienced Colonel as soon as they had reached the decision to revolt is not explained by any of our authorities; and from their own standpoint the omission was a serious blunder. One of the insurg- ent soldiers, quoted in Robertson's Landmarks of Toronto, declared that if Van Egmond had been with them at the commencement of the revolt, " they would have captured the city. Whatever the reason, at the beginning of December Mackenzie informed his men at 'Montgomery's that he would be commander since Colonel Van Eg- mond had not arrived; and he order- ed the attack on Toronto which dis- solved in a panic of both sides. Af- ter this failure the leaders of the insurgents resolved to VO'ait for re- inforcements, and Van Egmond before second attempt. But the delay'Weve the loyalists time to collect forces and • t WIFE OF COLONEL VAN EGMOND 'The Expositor is enabled to repro- duce this picture of Mrs. Anthony Van Egmond through the courtesy of Mrs. A. Charlesworth, of Egmond- ville, a granddaughter of Col. and Mrs. Van Egmond. organize them under the leadership of a man whose experience of war, though not so considerable as Van Egmond's, had been quite sufficient for the purpose; James FitaGibbon, veteran of 1812 and hero of Beaver Dams. At the same time the opinion of the province became plain; loyalist farmers were pouring into Toronto from all quarters, especially from the east, determined to do their best to crush separatism and disloyalty. The scale had already turned against the insurgents. True • to his word, however, Van Egmond arrived at Montgomery's Tavern at 8 a.m. Thursday, December 7th, riding the white horse which had borne him for the last time along his own Huron Road. He had breakfast in a private room with Mackenzie, Lount, Gibson,. Fletcher and John Montgomery, .,At the conclusion of the meal, these men held a council of war. Mackenzie proposed an im- mediate attack on the city, 'but the expected reinforcements had not ar- rived and could not be on hand until later in the day. IVIore, the insurg- ents had. lost many by desertion and in consequence could not muster more than 500men while the government troops were well armed, well equip- ped and much superior in numbers. Such being the case, Van Egrnond re- plied to Mackenzie's proposal by char- acterizing it as "stark madness," Mackenzie burst into an explosion of wrath and threatened to shoot the Colonelee but the others hastily secur- ed an appeasement, perhaps making excuse to Van Egrnond for the state of Mackenzie's nerves. The Colonel then proposed that no attempt be made on the frty until sufficient re- inforcements should have arrived to render success feasible and that mean- time a diversion should be arranged to occup the attention of the govern- ment troops. This plan was adopted. The leaders ordered Peter Matthews, of Pickering, to proceed to the Don bridge with sixty men, to burn the bridge, intercept the mail and other- wise advertise his presence in the hope of drawing off part of the Loy- alist forces. There was some expec- tation of reinforcements, as one man had promised to bring in a force of 550, but no realization, as the morn - mg passed with no arrivals and no news of any. Van Egmond must have seen that the situation was far from bright. He held a review of the men, some 400 in number and found that half only had pikes or guns, the rest more primitive weapons or nothing at all. He chose officers, with others Gibson whom he appointed command- er of a company, and gave some gen- eral directions in case of an attack by the government troops. About noon a scout arrived with news that the militia were moving north from the Parliament Buildings. A few minutes later the sentinels saw the government forces coming oyer the brow of •Gallow's Hill. Silas Flet- cher rushed up and cried, "Seize your arms, men! The enemy's coming and no mistake! No false alarm this time!" At this news 'Mackenzie and Van Egmond mounted horses and rode south till they saw the militia and heard the band; then, realizing that an attack in force was coming, they returned to the Tavern and prepared for the fight. Van Egniond made his dispositions. placed 150 men in a wood 150 yards west of Yonge Street, a half mile south of the tavern. and stationed sixty officers in the field to the east. The rest of the insurgent force, being unarmed, stood beside the. tavern or sought safety inside it. Soon the government troops under command of FitzGibhon, arrived at the "front," They placed two guns on the west side of Yonge Street and opened fire on• the belt of woods where Van Egmond had stationed his men. These, however, found the trees and the brush heaps a fair protection and suffered not more than one or time casualties•, meantime they tried to re- turn the fire with their muskets. But the rushing of the balls and the crash- ing of the 'branches alarmed them and caused a good deal of confusion. Dur- ing this "bombardment" Van Eg- mond and Lount had attempted to di- rect the defence; but soon they saw the militia advancing • to the attack in such., strength that the position could not be held.. They gave the word to the men to save themselves, knowing •that everything was lost. Almost before the Word was uttered the insurgents streamed out of the wood and retreated to the north, Van Egrnond and Lount last of all. The "kit 'Tent' .'"ii$2144 Loyalist gunners now advanced, set up their weapon e again and sent two shots through the main 'body of the tavern. The men inside poured out in fright and fled into the forest. The insurgent array dissolved. The skirm- ish had lasted fifteen or twenty min- utes. One of Mackenzie's men was killed, four wounded with fatal re- sults; no government seldier was ev- en seriously wounded. Van Egmond had one advantage for escapes his horse. He ride up to a group who were deliberating whether to fly together or separately but at this moment they saw the smoke from the butning tavern and scattered in every direction. The Colonel with some companions, made his way to the north. Near the Golden Lion Inn, four miles north of Montgomery's, they found themselves overtaken by Mackenzie and Fletcher. The group held a hurried discussion and agreed that they should try to reach the Niagara frontier. 'Mackenzie succeed- ed in escaping. The old. Colonel, nearly overcome with fatigue, sought shelter on a neighboring farm. But a militia detachment arrived, search- ed the place, seized him and took him to Toronto jail. The jail was cold, as one might ex- pect in the Toronto of December, 1837. Van Egmond was attacked by "a complication of -maladies," in par- ticular by inflammatory rheumatism, for Which reason the authorities trans- ferred him to the citylospital. There they marched him beitre one of the dying insurgents to make sure of his identity. Van Egmond touched the man's foot as a sign to the poor fel- low not to betray him. ,Butthe man replied, "Why do you push my foot, Colonel Van Egmond? I am a dying man; I cannot die with a lie in my mouth. You were with us and were to have commanded us at Mont- gomery's Tavern, but you did not ar- rive in time." After this disclosure, it was clear that there was no escape• for the Colonel. In the hospital he rapidly sank into unconsciousness and died on January 5th. There is a. lo - tradition to the effect that the end was hastened by poison given him by one of his sons. If this were the case. the motive is clear. If Van Egmond had recovered, he woe". have been tried for treason and executed with Lount and Matthews. As it was, while his remains were being brought home the coffin was twice 'broken open by militia men on the pretext of searching for arms. The body was buried in Egmondville cemetery where a plain slab marks the grave to the present day. His death was recorded in the To- ronto papers with no comments. Some days earlier the Patriot of January end had printed bad verse about Mac- kenzie and his defeat. The rich he promised honors vast To Gibson and to Lount, To Bidv-ell, Rolph and Fletcher too, And Lloyd and Van Egmount." The Cobourg Star, of Wednesday, January 17th, allotted him a few lines. -Van Egmond, who was appointed general of Mackenzie's band just be- fore they were attacked at Mont- gomery's, and Who had since been ar- rested for high treason, died. in the lospital on Thursday last after an illness of a few days' continuance." Mackenzie had attached Van Eg- mond's name to a proclamation from Navy Island. printed in the Toronto Mirror of December 30th. On learn - 'ng of the Colonel's death, he wrote in e letter quoted .in the Erie Observer: 'Colonel Van Egmont, an old officer of Napoleon's army. and the proprie- tor of 13,000 acres of land in the Hur- on Tract, joined us back of Toronto an hour before our last battle. was taken prisoner, starved into sickness; sent to the hospital .half dead and is now under the clod. The Colonel was a native of Hollandr and my particu- ar friend," Such were, so to speak, the contemporary epitaphs on this man who had achieved distinction in the Napoleonic wars, who had identi- fied himself with Upper Canada, who lad performed a noteworthy service to the settlenient of the province and who had become too closely involved in an ill-considered movement of pro- test against the existing regime. We of this generation are fairly in agreement that Family Compact rule left something to be desired. But however justified we may believe the grievances of the Reformers of 1837, we can hardly avoid condemning the decision to revolt in the face of an adverse majority verdict at the polls as foolish in itself and actually 'trim- inal toward the poor unarmed farm- ers who were led to certain defeat. In this defeat it was Van Egmond's mis- fortune to be involved. He arrived on the scene of action only in time to in- cur consequences for which he was not responsible and which he could do nothing to avert. 'Montgomery's Tav- ern could as well have been lost with- out him as with him; his presence merely added one to the list of cas- ualties. From Waterloo to Mont- gomery's Tavern is a bathos that smacks of the ridiculous. But such an end for such a man appears mel- ancholy. Among the Huron Re/ormers there lingered some sympathy for him. "Blame, Van Egmond?" one man ask- ed. "I blame the Family Compact a sight more than I blame him!" His family, however, were for a long time distinctly reticent about his connec- tion with Mackenzie and the revolt of '37. His son, Constant, refused to allow a volley to be fired aver the Colonel's grave in military fashion "because my father 'was rMackenzie's general." But since the passions of the time have subsided, Van Eg- mond le connection with the revolt no longer carries any implication of disgrace in the'eyes of his family or the people of Heron. The citizens of the one-time Tract, now of Huron and Perth counties, re- spect the memory of the matt who assisted to bring' into being the great Huron Road and who took tt leading part in the founding of those two flourishing communities. egett "tee.e. 419. ;; • n'.:440(ADV d'Alt Dtistleis6 Hamiltolt Coke A Canadian Fuel Worthy of '..:C4ia.d- ian Patron cLuFr & 'ONS County ,Counc.,,i1 Hold Final Meeting of the Year. Many Matters of Interest Before the . Councillors. 'Court Costs Said to be Too High. Fee System De- nounced. The Huron County Council met in the 'Court House, Goderieh, on Tues- day, December 1st, for the December session. The Warden occupied the chair; The roll call showed all the mem- bers in attendance except Mr. ktitehie and Mr. Moser, absent through illness. The minutes of the last session of the June session were read and adopt- ed. The Warden then addressed the council dealing with the work of the past year and outlining briefly the hie business to come before the coun- I it this December meeting. He thanked the members for their hearty co-operation during the year and expressed regret at the absence of Mr. Moser theough illness and also the illness of Mr. Ritchie. The general expenditures hove been kept well within the estimates during the year, the expenditures on Criminal Justice account had increased consid- erably. These had been extra costs, but the accounts were all in order. The Warden expressed the opinion that there should be legislation sought to lessen the cost of law enforcement in the county. - The accounts had been regularly audited and sent down to the proper authorities 4n Toronto, where they were approved and those considered exceptionally high had been investi- gated by His Honor, the County Judge, and found in order. The change from salary to fees in the Crown Attorney's Department had accounted for most of the difference in this year and other years in that of- fice. At the conclusion of the Warden's remarks the following correspondence and other communications were dealt with as under: 1—From Mr. F. Fingland, barrister, Clinton, enclosing By-law 5, 1931, of Goderich Township, closing an orig- inal road allowance and requesting the confirmation of the same by the County Council,—Sent to Executive Committee. The presentment of the Grand Jury present His }Tenor Justice Logie, at the recent Fall assizes. In it the jury dealt with the hos- pital, House of Refuge, Children's Shelter, goal ande other public build- ings, all of which received favorable comments. --Filed. From the Accident Assurance Com- pany of Canada, regarding the inspec- tion of the heating boilers of the County Honie and the Court House, that both were in satisfactory condi- tion, with some slight improvement re the Court House boiler.—Sent to County Property Committee. From. E. A. Featherston, of Bay- field, making an application for the council to grant a hearing to a depu- tation re road matters. --The deputa- tion was. heard. The report of the goaler was read and ordered printed in the minutes. An application from Mr. Abner Cousins, of Wingham, for the County anditorship for the coming year.—Fil- ed. Notice from Dr. Hunter, of Gode- rich, that Deputy Reeve Moser would he unable to attend the session as he was confined to his home on account of a broken arm. The Clerk was in- structed to send a letter of regret. At the conclusion of the reading of the several items of correspondence and communications, 'Mr. Featherston, of Bayfield, heading a deputation, re the opening of a certain road which had been closed recently in Bayfield. This is the old road leading to the old bridge on the north side of the river. ' Mr. Featherston maintained that this road allowance belongs to the county and should be opened for the people's use and not fenced up by a private person and that the county council should take action and see that the road was restored. Mr. 'McLeod also supported Mr. Featherstone in demanding' the res- toration of the road to the 'people. Dr. Brady, of Bayfield, also appear- ed and addrested, the council, re the mtater of keeping the road open from Bayfield tto Brueefield. He said last year the people at their own expense ,;• ,1141.444,41 A.4.4.445431-441,14,41.414111. had hot the road open at a cost of about 0.1$‘ and he t;mi_frslit in the ino, tereet'of the village s4ixt off from aut, side communication with railway poital service, should be considered and- lielpotiven .by the county'counciL ItWas moved by Mr. 1V1eSibbon, seconded by Mr. Armstrong, that these Matters be. refereed to the Good Roads cominfegien toreport on during the Meeting of eouneil.—Carried. Mr. Goldthorpe brought up the mat- ter of the delay in the McNeil trial, the second day after the trial com- menced. He was informed that the matter should .he submitted to the authori- ties responsible for the Carrying on of the administration of justiae in the county for an explanation. Considerable discussion took place, re the appointment of coonty con- stabies. It ,was claimed that the people most concerned should be consulted as to the suitability of 'persons proposed for the office, that this seemingly had not been considered necessary. It . was pointed out that in some cases the people had recepurtended persons, but in all cases the appoint- ment rested with the Crown Attorney and the Judge of the County. Mr. Henderson gave notice that he would ask that returns be brought down showing the 'mileage and cost of services of 'Messrs. Whitesides and Gundry and how these fees are assess- ed and paid. He was informed that such infor- mation would be sought. 'Mr. Henderson also brought up the matter of the admission to the House of Refuge of a certain case and that the widow or wife, was deprived wrongfully, in his estimation, of the mothers' allowance. Mr. Eckart enquired as to the meth- od of admitting a mother to mothers' allowance privileges. This informa- tion was given by the Clerk. A case was cited by 'Mears. Geiger and Francis of a vagrant seeking assistance in this district, who seem- ingly had not been long enough resid- ing in the county. to claim admission to the County Honie. - They were informed that no ad- mission could be made without appli- cation and that if such were made the House of Refuge Committee, or the proper authority, would take the mat- ter up, but the first necessity to ac- tion was an application signed by the Reeve or Reeves concerned. The Warden informed Mr. Feather- ston, Mr. McLeod and Dr. Brady that their complaint would be taken up on Wednesday at p.m. or referred to the Good Roads Commission. On motion 'of Messr. McNabb and Geiger the council adjourned to mee; on Wednesday morning at 10 o'clock. Wednesday. Sheriff Middleton appeared before the council re the question as to the cause of a delay on the second day of trial of the McNeil brothers. The Sheriff's explanation that it was owing to the illness of the Crown Prosecutor, was considered quite sat- isfactory. The Sheriff also stressed the im- portance of the selection of firm, com- petent men for jurymen. Mr. John M. Govenlock. Inspector for the House of Refuge, distributed the report of that institution. Under the head of reports of Coun- ty Officers, the, Treasurer gave an account ofethe finances of the county, going fully into all the accounts, re the county and highways. The Clerk gave a report of the working of the Mothers' Allowance Act during the past year. The report was accepted and order- ed printed in the minutes. Mr. Govenlock, Inspector of the House of Refuge, gave a report of the Home in addition to that contained in the printed report. Mr. •Govenlock spoke chiefly with reference to the addition at the farm which was rented and the installment of a new system of water supply and which is working very satisfactorily. He expressed appreciation to the peo- ple of the county for giving enter- tainments to the inmates on several occasions. The Clerk announced that he had received a letter from the Department of Health notifying the council that pursuant to the Cemetery Act, it would be necessary to appoint two members of the Cemetery Commission at the first meeting of the council. The Warden stated that as an- nounced the previous clay, the matter of the closing of the old road on the north side of the river at Hayfield was then reopened. Engineer Patterson was called on to state his position in the matter. Mr. Patterson stated he had writ- ten to the party closing the road, that he had no right to close the same and that he should remove the fence. The matter was discussed by mem- hers of council. Mr. Fingland, barrister, of Clinton, also spoke re the matter and claimed the road should be kept open, but it was not well defined as to whether the Township of Goderich or the County of Huron were responsible for re- opening. He would like to see the matter referred to the Good Roads Commission and also the question of responsibility. Mr. Armstrong moved, seconded by Mr. Goetz, that the matter be refer- red to the Good Roads 'Corrimission.— Carried. Mr. McLeod, the agricultural repre- sentative, was called on and spoke of matters pertaining to his office. lMr. Wright moved, seconded by R. H. Thompson, that a hearty vote of thanks be tendered Mr. 'McLeod for his valuable services during the past year. The House of Refuge report was read and adopted with the Warden in the chair. Mr. McKilbon brought up the mat- ' A••,. • el-e?'"ale eafort is Lions Xmas Tree. Arrangements have been made to have Santa Clads visit the Lions Community Christmas Tree in Seaforth on Monday, Decem- ber 21st, at 3.30 p.m. As usual, tickets will be distributed to the children entitling them to a gift. ter of providing clothing for the old people and the matter of the kind Of dishes to be used in the county' home. The Old Age Pensions report was consideredin committee with Mr. Henderson in the chair. Mr. Edwards, Inspector of the Chil- dren's Shelter, was present and ad- dressed the council, re Children's Shelter matters. iThe Warden thanked Mr. Edwards for his report. Mr. Armstrong made a report, re Criminal Justice accounts chiefly with reference to constables accounts. Constable Whitesides was present and gave an account of the method of charging by constables, while in the performance of their duties. Rader -Bowman: That this coun- cil express its regret that Mr. Mos- er, Deputy Reeve of Goderich, and Mr. Ritchie, Deputy Reeve of Ashfield, are unable to attend this meeting of council and that we sincerely hope they may have a speedy recovery and that their names be placed on the pay list.—Carried. Moved by 'Messrs. Eckart and Arm- strong, that we recommend to the De- partment of Highways and also to the County Road Commission that the snowplows be kept off the roads this winter, especially on account of the present depression, and a copy of this resolution be sent to the Department of Highways.—Sent to Good Roads Commission. Moved by Messrs. McKibbon and Henderson, that we respectfu,lly wish to draw the.attention of the Provincial Government to the fact that in 1930 the expenses on roads was consider- ably more than $44,000 as the coun- ty's share of work on provincial high- ways and we wish again to draw the attention to the verbal agreement that the County of Huron made with Hon. Mr. Henry that the average annual county payment would not exceed $44,000, so that the county would be able to pay as they go.—Carried. On motion of Messrs. W. P. Thomp- son and A. J. Goldthorpe, the council adjourned to meet on Thursday. • Continued on Page Two REPORT OF HOG • SHIPMENTS The following is the report of hog shipments for week ending October 31, 1931: Brucefield—Total hogs, 16; select bacon, 6; bacon, 6; butchers, 3; heav- ies 1. Hensall—Total hogs, 388; select bacon, 141; bacon, 214; butchers, 32; heavies, 1. Walton—Total hogs, 207; select bac- on, 67; bacon, 120; butchers, 15; heav- ies, 2; extra heavies, 1; lights and feeders, 2. McNaught—Total hogs, 61; select bacon, 22; bacon, 30; butchers, 5; heavies, 4. Huron Co. Locals—Total hogs 2432; select bacon, 637; bacon, 1,584; but- ehers, 159; heavies, 25; lights and feeders, 12. Iluron Co.—Total hogs, 6,034; sel- ect bacon, 1,734; bacon, 3,650; but- chers, 492; heavies, 80; extra heavies, 2; lights and feeders, 46. MANLEY The late frost and snow has made it possible for the farmers to harvest pine stumps for a surplus for another year. Mr. and Mrs. Joe Eckart and fam- ily have returned to their home in Oakville after spending a few days with friends in this 'vicinity. Mr. and Mrs. Bob Holden, from London, called on friends here last week, and have returned home. Mr. C. Eckart spent a few days in our burg' last week. Annual, no's Rall'c ' Draws. £apa , DiPlomas. mut: Awar4ici. The eighth annual eoefle�nezt hofeldillthe Cardno'aSeafortahcauo Collegiate ing last, was an ungualilieSSSOSP, The singing, the dariees, the onnliestra and the play were the equal of those in any of the seven' previous' com- mencements. • The program 'opened with phoses by the entire school; under the dire& tion of Mr. M. R. Rennie. TheSeaon- sisted of "The 'Old Road" by Scott - "Hosanna" by Van Alsyne, "christ7 mas Comes Again" by flOpkiiis4 PV This was followed by a scarf dance by the pupils of Miss Hallyer. TAP principal, G. A. Ballantyne, addressed the audience and introduced the chair- man of the Board, Mr. J. G. who presented sporte day prizes, and graduation diplomas. The. diplomas were received by Earl Gillespie, Mar- garet Ross, Dorothy Driscoll, Gmetrude Matthews, Madeline 'Illothani,•Norma Habkirk, Dorothy Wilson, Beatrice Aberhart, Charles Dickson, Harvey Bryans, Louis Purcell, Anna Wallace, Francis Devereaux, Robert Aberhart, Laura Mole, Evelyn Golding, Marg- aret McLennan, Glenn Hays, Mary O'Connor, Kathleen Stewart, Ian Me - Lean, Vera Nolan, Joseph Williams, Margaret Watson, Gladys Tutson, Alice .Seimon, Mary Reid, Gordon Ren- nie, Eleanor Evans, Mary Barber, Jack Habkirk, while the field day prizes were presented to: Evan Rennie as winner of Barber Trophy; Evan Ren- nie as winner of Ballantyne Trophy; Neil Tyndal/, as Toys' Senior Chain -- pion; Jack Wright as Intermediate Champion; Evan Rennie as Junior Champion; Alda Bolton and Norma Habkirk (equal) as Girls' Senior Champions; Irene Eberhart, as Junior Champion. The scholarship were: Girls' commencement.prize, $25 cash, won by Margaret Drover; boys' com- mencement prize, $25 cash, won by Harvey Bryans, while Miss Alice Sei- mon won the Junior, Matriculation scholarship, Waterloo College, Water- loo. Ont., value 5125, and '.11r. Mervyn Keys, the University of Western On- tario Scholarship; two years' free tui- tion, value $170. The best shots for the year were O'Orleon Sills, in the senior class, and Ian McTavish, in the junior class. The presentations were followed by a pretty dance, "Tantali," by the pup- ils of Miss Gillespie. A feature of this dance was the clever tap dancing of Miss Barbara Aberhart. The pupils of Mr. Weedmark presented an inter- esting exhibition of tumbling and mat work, closing with some spectacular pyramid building. A number by Bob Aberhart and Ed. Daly, assisted by a chorus, provided much merriment. The final number of part one was a violin duet by Edmund Daly and Ar- thur Golding. Part two of the program consisted of a well presented play under the direction of Miss Marion Bell and Miss Rena Fennell, entitled, "A Dangerous Experiment." The cast included:— Murray Winthrop, Ian McLean; Geo. Fowler„Tack Habkirk! Charles Hollis- ter, George Crich; James Thornton (The Prig), Ross Rennie; Granger Mills (Daisy Dupont), Glenn Hays; Howard Wells, Harry Sheffer; Mrs. Winthrop, Eleanor Evans; Caroline Winthrop. Virginia Anderson; Nancy Martin Webster, Mary Barber. During the intermission, Miss Haien Hamilton and Miss Mary Flett danced the Highland Fling, accompanied on I the bagpipes by Roderick McLean. Thr accompanists fee the evening were Mary Beebe'', Beitten, Winnifred Savauge and Barbara Eber- hart, while the members of the orch- estra were: Mary Barber, Norma Hab- kirk, Margaret Ross, Edmund Daly, Gordon Rennie, Arthur Golding, Fran- cis Devereaux, Neil Tyndall, George Parke, George Cricif, Evan Rennie, D'Orleon Sills Harry Hinchley. The proceeds for the evening amounted to slightly over two hun- dred dollars. CONSTANCE Those who attended the funeral of the late Mr. Edwin Britton from a distance were: Miss Cassie Weir, of Wingham; Mr. and Mrs. Hueston, of Gorrie; Miss Army Love, Toronto; Mr. and Mrs. Walter Mansfield, Mr. and Mrs. Wilbur McQuarrie, Mr. Fred Trebbeck, of Lambton County; Miss Eliza Dow, Mr. and Mrs. Clifford Dow, Cromarty; Mrs. Mustard and Mr. and Mrs. Edwards, Hensall. The Sunday School of Constance United Church are holding their Christmas tree and entertainment on December 22nd. A good programme is 'being arraeged. Everybody come and enjoy themselves. The community was shocked to hear of the sudden death of Mr. William ST. COLITMBAN Brattle's.-Wf• A rr opening' the gift buying season with groat money saving sale. Sat- urday. December 5th, until Saturday, Decem- ber 12. Beattie ,enfor lam „.. -aft The Literary Society for the com- ing winter months held their dret meeting on Friday evening lase to orgenize for the season. Quite a. large number were present and the fcllowing officers were elected: Presi- thmt, Joseph Malone; secretary, Bridget Delaney; treasurer, Evelyn Melady; editor, Joseph Shea; assist- Emt, editor, James Morris; comn,ittee, Agnes Delaney, Alice Flannery,Frank McGrath, Jack Moylan. Their first programme will be given on Friday, December 18th. 'Miss Mildred MeGrath, of Mt-, chener, spent the week end at the pat - ental home. Miss Ann Downey spent a few daya at London recently.. Mr. Joseph Carpenter, of the Col- lege of Education, Talent°, Asited 4 his home here. -We are iileased to note that Wes Schuller has recovered born her re, cent illness, but is still at the hol0 if her sister, Mrs. D. I, 0"11,eil.V:,,,,: 4 .1. .41