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The Exeter Times-Advocate, 1953-10-29, Page 2Page 2 THE TIMES-ADVOCATE, EXETER, ONTARIO, THURSDAY MORNING, OCTOBER 29, 1953 'i... ■(...'!....-*"!f TT This journal shall always fight for progress, reform and public welfare, never fee afraid to at­ tack wrong, never belong to any political party, never be satisfied with merely printing news. THURSDAY MORNING, OCTOBER 29, 1953 ___________ Action Needed The rowdy conduct of minors on Satur­ day nights after the dance should concern this community. The noisy drinking, daredevil driving and boisterous activities of this crowd are shameful. They demonstrate how pitiful the state of juvenile morality can become if the teenagers are not checked. Naturally, this group represents only a small section of the teenage population. Nevertheless, if allowed to continue, these activities will spread to others and influence younger children. Unfortunately, the Canada Temperance Act provides little protection against teen­ age drinking in cars and on the streets. Other methods must be used to curb this activity. The town is hiring a part-time police­ man to assist with the situation. The police force should take proper court action imme­ diately to stop this nonsense before it de­ velops further. Halloween Hallowe’en is a night of fun. You child­ ren should enjoy yourselves that night. We’ll expect all of you to get dressed up in mischievous disguises. You’ll be call­ ing at our doors for candy and treats and making wierd noises to scare us. You’ll be attending your community Hallowe’en party to enjoy the entertainment. That’s the way to celebrate Hallowe’en. Some “kids” go further than that, how­ ever. They think destruction and harmful, practical “jokes” are part of Hallowe'en fun. They enjoy inconveniencing others. Sometimes their deviltry results in injury and hardship. We know’ you’re not to blame for most of the destruction on Hallowe’en, The full- grown “kids” do most of the damage. But some of you follow their bad example and end up in trouble or with a bad conscience, That kind of activity isn’t 'worth the effort. It isn’t fun. Don’t let your conscience bother you after October 31. Have real fun—the good kind. Licensing Farm Tractors (Stratford Beacon-Herald) Should farm tractors be licensed like all other Ontario motor vehicles ? This is a question that for some time has been a bone of contention involving the motoring public, tractor owners and the Department of High­ ways. The matter again has come into prom­ inence with a statement by a Department spokesman that the Department hopes legis­ lation will be passed at the next session of the Legislature to license farm tractors. Such legislation would make it a criminal offense to drive a tractor while intoxicated and also would make it illegal for children to operate them. The Highways Department spokesman has pointed ,out that many attempts have been made in the past to have such legisla­ tion approved. Farmers, however, succeeded in blocking it on the contention that tractors are farm implements and are operated chief­ ly on private property. Their use on the highways, it has been claimed, is only in­ cidental to their main work. “From this distance, it would appear tractor owners, backed by farmers in gen­ eral, will again strongly oppose passage of any legislation which would bring tractors under a licensing system,” contends The Cornwall Standard Freeholder. “They will likely bring out the argument that when tractors do travel on highways, they should be considered only as farm machinery in transit. In the main, tractors are operated on private property only. There are, how­ ever, no restrictions as to the qualifications of persons using them. This fact has been the source of considerable criticism, which stems from the numerous accidents involv­ ing farm tractors and children operators. Many of these tractor mishaps have been of the fatal variety, with the result there has been a growing demand for remedial action.” Just what the nature of the proposed tractor licensing will be is something to be determined. But it is certain farmers will do everything possible to avoid having the ma chines licensed and registered in the same .manner as are motor vehicles. The Depart­ ment may have in mind, however, a licens­ ing system which would provide for only a nominal payment, and would also have pro­ visions for keeping children from driving these dangerous and awkward machines. No matter -what happens, there’s always somebody coming along who knew it would. * * * *. Most folks make more enemies by what they say than friends by what they do, * * * * A youthful figure is something you get when you ask a woman her age. * * * * We are getting just like oUr car. The older we become the more knocking we do. * * * * Teacher; “If your mother has a pack­ age delivered C.0.D., what do the initials mean ?” Bright boy; “Call On Daddy.” Needs Study The problem of retail store hours is one affecting almost every rural comunity. The conflict arises between a move for shorter hours for store employees and the commun­ ity’s desire to offer the best service possible to the rural patrons in the area. The Simcoe Reformer suggests a study should be made of the situation, It com­ ments : “Closing of the banks, the legal offices and some other places of business on Satur­ days has brought this issue to a head. The situation now is that the retail stores close Wednesday afternoon, while the banks and law offices remain open. The reverse is true on Saturdays. This is a fundamental conflict of business interests which does not enure to the benefit of Simcoe’s economy and which does not facilitate the transaction of busi­ ness by the thousands of rural and village people who make Simcoe their shopping centre. “The tendency today in industry and business is for shorter hours, with the 40 hour week becoming very popular with in­ dustrial concerns. It would be very difficult, however, for retail stores to adopt the short­ er week, particularly in towns which cater to the farming community. Only by increas­ ing their staffs and adopting the shift plan could stores give their employees a five-day, 40-hour week. Such a procedure would be beyond the financial capacity of a majority of the smaller stores at least. “Meanwhile the effect of Saturday clos­ ing by the banks and legal offices is that a larger volume of retail business is being transacted on Thursday and Friday, while Saturday has witnessed some diminution in the volume of business done by the stores. Saturday has always been regarded as the big business day for retailers in Ontario towns and no doubt it will continue to be one of the most active days of the week in spite of the bank closing on that day. Coun­ try people will continue to come to town to buy their requirements for the weekend. “The suggestion is heard in some quar­ ters that retail stores should close Saturday at 6 o'clock, but remain open on Friday eve­ nings. This plan has been adopted in some cities and a few larger towns of Ontario, where industries pay their employees on Friday and a considerable volume of retail business has been developed on Friday eve­ nings. “The problem is a very involved one and deserves the most serious consideration by Board of Trade officials before any ac­ tion is taken. Certainly changes are taking place in our business life, caused by im­ proved methods of transportation and partly by a desire for more leisure time on the part of employees. At the same time com­ petition in retail trade was never keener than today and no town can afford to jeo­ pardize its retail future by unwise and un­ timely changes in the hours devoted to serv­ ing the public. After all, the customer must be of primary concern to the retail store and the interests of his Convenience must be served first.” Goodbye To Deficits And Surpluses KNIGHT IN WINDSOR STAR As the "TIMES" Go By Jottings By J.M.S. Thos. Case And His Ten Sons Recently I referred particu­ larly to the “Devon" settlement in Usborne Township, as de­ scribed in the Huron County At­ las of 1879. From the same atlas we reprint the following:, "Next to Mr. Lamb and Wil­ liam Elder, the earliest settlers towards the north of the town­ ship were Thomas Case and his 10 sons, from County Wicklow, Ireland, whence they came to the Huron Tract and settled, about three miles north of Exe­ ter, in the spring of 183 6. One of the sons, John, had come out in 1834, worked that summer for McConnel, the Canada Com­ pany's contractor on the London Road, and taken up the land where they afterwards settlpd, subsequently revisiting Ireland and inducing the whole family to return with him. On more than one occasion the Case family have been aroused from their beds to yoke up their oxen and pull the horsts and rig of the London and 'Goderich mail-coach out of the 'almost bottomless mud-holes which occurred be­ tween the long stretches of cord­ uroy. The first of the coaches ever passing over the road was driven by William .Geery; and the way he handled the ribbons of the four-in-hand was said to be a wonder, even to the Jehu profession. “The first wagon in the settle­ ment was so great a curiosity in the settlement as to be a “seven days’ wonder." It was owned by the Case family, who also owned the first pair of horses in the township; oxen and “jumpers” being thO only means of locomo­ tion and traffic for many years. “The municipal history of the township begins with the year 1842, at which time Stephen and Hay were both united to Usborne. The record of the first “Town Meeting" has been destroyed, but we find in the Clerk’s “notes” the following entry: “1842, Janu­ ary 2nd, Declarations to perforin duties of their several offices were signed by the following persons elected to hold township offices: James Scott, Esq., Rich­ ard Bissett, commissioners; (Rev. H. C. Cooper, Mr.‘ Thomas Case and Mr. Joseph Hardy, the other three commissioners, did not consider it necessary to sign a declaration.) William Case, Rich­ ard Balkwill and James Willis, Town Wardens; Thomas Rout- cliffe, assessor; Robert Bissett, collector; James Balkwill and Castor Willis, pound - keepers;' James Stanlake, Thomas Lamb, Robert Moulds, John Westcott and William Balkwill, overseers on roads.* * George Snell, town­ ship clerk. - “For 1843, William Sanders, William Wilson and James Balk­ will were wardens and Hugh Balkwill, clerk. Thomas Taylor was elected clerk in 1844 retain­ ing the position until he dis­ appeared as previously mention­ ed. From the minutes of the Town Meeting that year, “held January 1, in the Stephen school­ house” we extract the following: “Moved by William Balkwill, seconded by Hugh Balkwill, that no dogs do come to Divine ser­ vice, under a fine of 2s. 6d. for the first offence; the second of­ fence, 5s. cy. Carried, mem. con.” We could see no record of any dogs having been subsequently fined under the operation of this by-law, which sho'ws that the dogs in those -days minded their P’S and Q’s. In 1845 Stephen seceeded from the municipal union, and in 1846, Hay did likewise; but under the first year’s operation of the Municipal Act (1850) Stephen was reunited in Usborne, and the first set of officials for both townships under the new system was composed of James Scott, reeve; Messrs. Balkwill, Bissett, LamhJ and Quick, councillors; Thomas Taylor, clerk; Robert .Bissett, treasurer; John Essery, James Balkwill and Matthew Rogers, assessors; William Scott, collector. “Since the wihdrawal of Perth from the union of counties (1853) the Reeves of Usborne (Stephen withdrew again in 18- 52) were, for 1854, David Kirk; 1855, John Strang; 1856, Thos. Lamb; 1857-58, Alex Smith; 18- 59, Elam Butt; 1860, Robert Kydd; 1861, Robert Case; 1862, Dr, Kay; 1863 to 1874, inclusive, Arch. Bishop, the present M.P. for South Huron; an thence to the present time, Leonard Hun­ ter. In 1864 Usborne became en­ titled to a second representative in the County Council, and Ro­ bert Craig was tlie first to fill the position of Deputy-Reeve, which he held for six years, be­ ing suceeded in 187<0i by George Willis, who retained the posi­ tion four years, when he gave way in 1874 to Leonard Hunter, two years, who was in time fol­ lowed by David Millar, four years, ending in 1878. The in­ cumbents for municipal officers for the current year (1879) are: Reeve, Leonard Hunter; Deputy­ reeve, T. McKay; councillors, James Hall, J-.o n a t h a n Shier, Henry Horney; Clerk, N. G. Clarke; Treasurer, Thos. Coates; Assessor, Thos. Haywood; Col­ lector, Alex Duncan. “The only liability of Usborne is the unpaid balance of the debentures (originally $25,000) given to the L. H. & B. railway. The indebtedness for such a wealthy and populous municipal­ ity was simply nominal. “The inhabitants have now ex­ ceptionally fine markets and transporation facilities— particu­ larly those of the western sec­ tion—Centralia and Exeter rail­ road stations being just across its western boundary. They also have, as a whole, first-class mail accommodations, there being no less than seven post villages within the limits of the town­ ship, viz: Elimville, Kirkton, Winchelsea, Woodham, all on the Exeter and St. Marys Road, and having daily mail both ways, Then there is Rogerville, Far­ quhar and Lumley. “Of these Elimville is the “municipal capital,” and is other­ wise the most important, contain­ ing hotel, two stores, a number of mechanics’ shops of various kins, two churches, a nice brick building erected by subscription as a “union Sunday School” and prohaby 100 inhabitants—besides the town hall, a commodious brick structure which cost over $1200 to build. “The present condition of Us­ borne (1879) as compared with other townships of the county, is second to none except Tucker­ smith; and even the difference now observable between these promises before many years, at the present rate of improvement on all hands patent, to melt away before the energy and enterprise of a people who have already transformed it from a wild and tractless waste into one of the .fairest sections of the fairest Province of the first Empire in the world.” Farmers Face Problem Of Plenty; Little Export For Grain, Livestock Timea Established 187a Amalgamated 1924 Advocate Established 1881 Published Each Thursday Morning at Exeter, Ontario An Independent Newspaper Devoted to the interests of the Town 6t Exeter and District Authorized as Second Class Mall, Post Office Department, Ottawa Member Of the Canadian Weekly Newspaper Association Member Of the Ontario-Quebec Division of the CWNA Member of the Audit Bureau of Circulation » Paid-m-Advance Circulation as of March, 1953 2,494 SUBSCRIPTION RATES Canada, In advance, $3.00 a year • United States, in advance, $4.00 a year Single Copies 70 Each X Melvin Southcott - Publishers - Robert Southcott “The developments that have featured the agricultural year, when Viewed in retrospect, ate far from one-sided,” comments the Bank of Montreal’s October Business Review. “For the third successive year, a huge harvest of wheat Ms been garnered on the prairies,” the bank states, “and, through­ put the land, field cfops in gene-* ral are expected to approach the exceptionally high yields obtain­ ed last year.” Nature’s bounty has in some ways, however, been disconcert­ ing. Wheat fills the elevators of the North Atlantic trading area to capacity, and the new bumper grain crops come at a time when the export movement has beeh somewhat slower than a year Ago. Wheat Still Leads “’Though relatively less im­ portant than it used to be, wheat is still king in Canadian agri­ culture,” the review notes. Latest figures ‘set this year’s Wheat crop at 594 million bu­ shels. If this is realized, the average for the past three years will have been a phenomenal 600 million bushels, as c»om p ar ed with an average of 387 millions for the preceding 10 years. The domestic market may be expect­ ed to consume 160 million bu­ shels in the current crop year. With last year’s carryover, this will leave a peacetime record of almost 800 millions available for export and carryover. “The marketing of a surplus of this magnjtude is not an easy task,” tlie review observes, but goes on to point out that “it grain growers are, for the mo­ ment, long on inventory, the asset they hold is likely 'to be realised eventually fit a world that has never for very long pro­ duced more cereals than It con­ sumes.” Livestock Problem Next in importance to grain growing, the bank says, Is the raising Of livestock, and “here, too, there has been, and still is, a problem of abundance.” The loss of the United Kingdom ba­ con contract and the U.S. em­ bargo on Canadian meat curbed export sales at the very time supplies were increasing. Lifting of the embargo last March brought about no upsurge of ex­ ports since, in the U. S., meat lias become relatively plentiful. “In the dairy industry,” the review hotes, “conditions appear to have achieved a degree Of sta­ bility, after a hectic period of over four years.” Elsewhere in agriculture, output has, in most "■Cases, approximated that of 19521. 50 YEARS AGO Messrs. Reginald Samuel and W. J, Carljng leave on Friday for their annual holiday in the Parry Sound district. Mr. Statham will accompany them as cook. Prboably not in the history of the oldest inhabitant, has there been a season equal to 1903. We have had more rain storms, thunder and lightning and cool weather than was ever exper­ ienced here before, A hot day has been sandwiched in occasion­ ally but they have bepn few and far apart. A special meeting of ratepay­ ers was held in the town hall to discuss the proposal of Mr- Blaine, representing the Blaine Harrow Company of Toronto re establishing the works of the company here. The matter under discussion was the subscribing of capital stock to the amount of $10,000 which did not meet with the general approval of those present. Due to a number of business men and others, having their funds tied up in other stock, no action was taken. Under Crediton news; Shooting is tlie attraction of the season in this locality. Our hunters come home sometimes game-full, game­ less, game-legged and with tame- game. 25 YEARS AGO Mr. and Mrs. Peter Frayne were pleasantly surprised when members of their family met at their home to congratulate them on their golden wedding anni­ versary. Married on October 23, 1878, Mr. and Mrs. Frayne have spent all their married life in Exeter. Phyllis Barbara, infant daugh­ ter of Mr. and Mrs. Elmore Har­ ness was awarded first prize for babies under six months born in Clinton Hospital. Funeral services for Dr. Dan­ iel Bell, who died suddenly in Flint, Mich., were held from the family residence in Hensall. Mr. Thomas Cameron recently returned from a trip to the west. He has disposed of the farm of Andrew Wood at High River, Alta., to Mr. Thomas Welsh of Hensall for $5,'50i0i. Mr. Eugene Howey, who is at­ tending Toronto University, won second place in the one-mile race at the Intercollegiate intermed- ite track meet at Guelph. Funeral services for Reginald Elliott, 70, who died in Toron­ to, were conducted here under the auspices of Masons from Nor­ wich, assisted by members of Exteer Masonic lodge. IO YEARS AGO The annual plowing match of South Huron Plowman’s Associa­ tion held on the farm of Wijliam Clark and Emmerson Gunning, was one of the best matches con­ ducted by the association, Much of the success was attributed to the officers, R, B, Williams, president; Gordon McDonald, secretary, E. Shapton, treasurer, and W. T. Quinn, vice-president. Board of Education chairman, Mr. R. N. Creech, laid the corner stone for the new high school building with staff and pupils of public and high school, Board members, Council and many visitors attending. Miss Eileene Lewis, graduate of Exeter H.S., who is attending Western University, has been awarded a Brescia Hall scholar­ ship valued at $150. A coroner’s jury which inquired into the deaths of Dr. George Racey and four passengers in his car which collided with a CNR Diesel train, laid the cause of the accident to his failure to observe train signals or highway traffic signs. Mrs. M. McAvoy was guest of honor at a surprise birthday party given by Mrs. H. Gill at Lakeview House. 15 YEARS AGO The Navy League committee met at the home of Mrs. Luella Howey and packed 50 ditty bags to be delivered to men of the navy at Christmas, A fire at the gas pump at the Sunoco gas station occured when a rack on a car driven by Wil­ liam Abliott struck one of the pumps and toppled it over. A three-incli pipe leading from the pump to the tanks was broken off and fumes ignited. Men at the station fought the flames with extinguishers uqtil firemen arrived. The WMS convention of Hu­ ron South Section was held in Centralia United Church with Mrs. C. W. Christie, vice-presi­ dent, in charge. A flag-raising ceremony for the Fifth Victory Loan was held at the town hall. Teachers and pupils of Public and High School marched to the war memorial. Reeve Tuckey, R. N. Creech, J. M. Southcott and Rev. M. A. Hunt took-part in the ceremony. News-From Our NEIGHBORS Wins Scholarship William A. Andrews, Clinton, son of Mr. and Mrs. F. W. And­ rews, George Street, has been awarded the Huron County scholarship for the highest stand­ ing of a Huron County man in any year of any course at the University of Western Ontario, London. The young woman who won .the companion award was Barbara Gaunt, Belgrave. “Bill” Andrews presently is working on chemical research with a doctor in the University. One interesting find of theirs has been to treat a tomato seed, or that of any other vegetable before planting, and during the growth of the plant, worms will not attack it. Now they are at­ tempting to perfect the process so that such-treated plants will not be injurious to humans. (Clinton News-Record) Orange Lodges Meet -The South Huron'County Orange Lodge met in the Orange Hall here last Wednesday night with .County Master Anson -Cole­ man presiding. As this was their semi-annual meeting little more than routine business was trans­ acted. There were .representa­ tions from 12 of the 13 Primary Lodges that make up the County; also representatives from all the Scarlet . Chapters. The Annual Meeting will be held in Goderich on the first Wednesday in April 1954. The Lodge closed with prayer ’and God Save the Queen, after which lunch was served by the local Lodge. (Seaforth News) Rob Injured Man? Not only did Kenneth Beuer- mann, R.R. 1 Dublin, sustain Serious injuries When he and his two brothers had the misfortune to have their car strike a horse While driving in Logan township last week, blit both his wallet dnd wrist watch disappeared, ap­ parently while they lay uncon­ scious. Police at© working on the possibility that he may have been robbed since a cheque, for $264) from that wallet has been cashed by someone using ’ Beuermann’s driving permit aS indentification after forging his name to the “The problems Of the present,” the review concludes, “are pre­ dominantly problems of plenty, and it should hot be forgotten that, historically, the farming community has suffered more froth scarcity than it ever has from abundance.” piece of paper. (Mitchell Advocate) Co-Op. Manager Leaves Mr. Grant Case, resident of town, who has been with the Hensall Co-Operative for the past few" years, on Saturday evening severed his connection as an employee and manager of the Zurich branch. Mr. Case has re­ ceived a position with the Swift Co., of Toronto, as a salesman, and will leave shortly for that place to receive his training for the line of work they wish him to do. The Swift Co. is one of the largest fn its line of business in America, with the main head­ quarters in Chicago, so Mr. Case will be working for a larger con­ cern with, we hope, greater pos­ sibilities of advancement. (Zurich Herald) Organizes Club Something unique for Seaforth in the description of clubs is be­ ing organized by William Mur­ ray, town, who is 9i0! years old. It’s an ‘Over 70 Club* and, as the name implies and Mr. Murray points out, it’s a club “for boys who are 7'0 years of age and over.” Still active in Dauphin, Man., is an Over-70 Club which Mr. Murray organized about 15 years ago. With about 90 members, the Dauphin Club holds two regular meetings a month, a yearly ban­ quet, sponsors a fiddlers* contest and promotes an annual picnic which includes races, baseball and other sports. (Huron Expositor) Speaks About Pinery The growth of this Canada of ours, the fact that one out of every 14 Canadians has arrived here since 1947, the problem of leisure time and the great pos­ sibilities of the Pinery Were the highlights of a splendid address delivered by Andy Dixon of Exe­ ter, Chairman of the Public Re­ lations Committee of the Ausable Conservation Authority. Pictures of the Pinery, ques­ tions aiid answers, a look at the master plan of development, all made for an informative address. (St. Marys Jo’ufnal-Argus) A Smile Or Two... Wheil the motorist who had crashed Into a telephone pole and brought clown the wires recover­ ed consciousness, his hands were clutching the wires. “Thank heavens,” he exclaim­ ed fervently, “it’s a harp!”