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The Exeter Times-Advocate, 1956-05-31, Page 10«■ 'fl WT irw faxtf r rinuvAdvocate,"'May'WTW I UHL JU!. !I!WW"."U!!I!I'I!II||.!III!II«FR!FII||J| | 11ii| ;■ |t| „ i,,. Judiciary Compla Of First County Courthouse Century Ago By JAMES SCOTT The first chapter in the story which leads, through many a twist and turn, to the erection of a real Court House for the Uni­ ted Counties of Huron and Bruce, covers the year of 1853. Even before that year, the sta­ tus of the Court House was not as clear as it should have been, Ten years previous, the Canada Company had offered the United Counties two and a half acres in Goderich (Lots 503, 504, 505, 585 and 586) for the erection of a. Gaol and Court House, This offer was accepted and a build­ ing combining both offices was III To Obtain The Highest Prices FOR. YOUR POULTRY Sell To The Riverside Poultry Co., Ltd. $ LONDON London 7-1230 Phone Collect Hensall 68OR.2 s Faster Gains For Beef . . . Co-Op 32<7o Beef I Concentrate With L STILBESTROL / Get cattle to market FASTER and SAVE FEED with CO-OP Beef Concentrate containing the new wonder growth chemical, Diethylstilbestrol. Fifteen to 20 percent faster gains can be ex­ pected with adequate feeding at a saving of 10 per­ cent of the feed. Come in to find out about this amazing new CO-OP Feed today! It will make you money. $4.80 Per Cwt. Phone 287 CO-OP Beside CNR Station Waterloo Cattle Breeding Association "WHERE BETTER BULLS ARE USED" We Purchased Two Top Beef Shorthorn Bulls AT THE FAMOUS KILLEARN FARMS (Owner Claude Gallinger) Twelfth Annual Shorthorn Sale at Edmonton, Alta. >. *Gallinger bulls have long been known for their size and 'ruggedness and still retaining lots of quality. . These bulls, will satisfy the most critical. Following are their pedigrees. 353769- Killearn Howard, Red Born August 9Z 1954 Taped 1,450 lbs. on May 15th, 1955 Cruggleton Achilles, Red Margo Clipper, Red«!RE Klllearn Cyril 9th, Red Cruggleton Cyril Red, little white Maxine 2nd, Normal Jewel Red Klllearn Max 5th., Red Normal Jewel, Red Klllearn Red Monarch 156 DAM Klllearn Emmeline 14th. Red Killearn Red Klllearn 4th, Monarch 34th, Norma Gem Red Klllearn ___ Dark Roan Emmeline 7th, Max 6th, Red ______ Norma Emmeline 5th. Red Roan Klllearn Klllearn -361488- Killearn Welfare 22nd — Born May 4th, 1955 1,050 lbs., May Red Taped • IRE Ualroiisle Welfare Red Calrdssle Welcome Red Roan 15th, 1956 Calrossie Harmony Dark Ro»n Augusta Laura, Red Calrossie Nesta Broadhooks Red Kirkton Baronet Red Roan Calrosaie Norah Brdadhooks Red DAM Mdxfrto Norma Rosewood Red Killearn Max 5th, Red Killearn Max, Red Peter's Nonpareil Dark Roan KiirWiT Norths Rdsewt>t>d 2nd, Red Norseman, Red Roan KflieArn Rosewood 5th, Red These bulls will arrive at Waterloo sometime during the week of May 28th and will be put into service as soon as possible. This .may be several weeks. For more information on artificial Breeding service to any of our bulls of all breeds, phone collect to: Clinton Hu 2-3441 ' - Befwctn 7:30 and 9:30 AM erected, but ten years later, when the County Council tried U establish ownership of these lands, they discovered that they never had had a clear title to them. The Canada Company had never turned over the deed and it took a good deal of quibbling and negotiation before the United Counties were able to establish i whether or not they owned the 1 land on which their Court House was built. In the mean time, ihe Court House itself had become a centre of controversy. As still happens today in the matter of ailing court houses, the first complaints came from members of the judi­ ciary and the legal profession. The charge was that the Court House facilities in Huron were scandalously uncomfortable. The judges, notably His Honor John Rolph, wrote to the County Coun­ cil complaining about the low ceiling of the room which led to bad ventilation which was further aggravated by too few windows and a most unpleasant aroma which came from the jail yard which was immediately ad­ jacent to the courtroom. Besides ffiis His Honor pointed out that it was not only incon*’enient but somewhat below his judical dig­ nity to have to go through the common gaol to get into the court chamber. Jailyard Aroma The members of the County Council were fully as aware of the courtroom’s disadvantages as was the judge since the cham­ ber was used as a Council room as well as a courtroom. The County Council held most of its meetings in this room but the records show that from time to time, possibly because ‘the wind was blowing from the wrong direction and the aroma from the jailyard was too strong even to be borne by Huron County noses, they would adjourn to the Huron Hotel which was run by a friend­ ly. and enterprising innkeeper called Gentles. However, both the Council and the Grand Jury (made up of Huron County taxpayers) were loath to take any action which would involve much expenditure of taxpayers’ money. Judge Rolph was not the kind of man to be easily put off and when his letters, got no action he took the matter to the Chief Justice of Ontario, Mr. Robinson,. The Chief Justice then took pen in hand and made such strong recommendations to the County Council that, at the first sessions in 1853, the members decided the matter would‘have to be faced and a committee was appointed consisting of Robert Hays, Reeve of McKillop and Grey, ’William Fraser, Reeve of Kincardine and McGillivray, and John Holmes, Reeve of Goderich Township. „ The next day the Council de­ cided to add three more mem­ bers and instructed the full com­ mittee to review all complaints which had been received and to take the Sheriff, John McDonald, and the Surveyor along with them and see what could be done to make conditions better while the possibility of erecting a new Court House was under discus­ sion, The three members added were William Wallace, Reeve of the Town of Goderich, Moses Johnson, Reeve of Hay, and Ninian Woods, Reeve of Stanley. Most of the men who now made up the full committee con­ tinued to act throughout the ear­ ly planning, phases of the Court House and spent a great deal of time considering the problem. In a sense, they were the found­ ing- fathers of the splendid edifice which graced the Square in Goderich for a hundred years. In No Hurry ___ The committee was in no hurry to commit itself to erecting a new building and the only action which it took during the January session of County Council was to recommend certain improve­ ments in the present quarters which it obviously hoped would keep the complaining members of the judiciary quiet for a while. They suggested that a window be made into a door so it wouldn’t be necessary to go through the gaol in order to get into the courtroom and that “three large ventilators be made in the ceiling (one over the bench) with corresponding venti­ lators in the sides of the dome with a view to carry off the foul atmosphere.” The Council agreed to this and hoped “that the Judges who ob­ ject to the Court House in its present state .will be temporarily satisfied with the proposed im­ provements.” That, of course, was where they went wrong. The Judges were not satisfied—not even tem­ porarily—and another letter ar­ rived from the Chief Justice. Meawhile at least one member of the original committee had become a champion for a new Court House. This was William Wallace of the Town of Goderich. When Council convened in May he promptly moved that a com­ mittee be set up “to select a suitable site for a Court House or4 make arrangements for a suitable room to hold all Courts and County meetings.” This was a considerably more definite step than knocking out windows in the old room, and the committee was appointed, made up of Messrs., Holmes, Hays, Woods, and the Warden, vr. Chalk of Tuckersmith. Mr, Wallace, it would seem, was disappointed at being left off the committee and before the Council was over he had got himself and Jbhn Atkinson Of Biddulph added. At this point, the eager inn- keeper,, Mr. Gentles enters the picture. Mr. Gedles’ establish­ ment, the Huron Hbtel, Whs al­ most a home away from home for the Council members when fhey were in Goderich going about the County's business, There is no doubt this hostelry, a hundred years ago, played a role similar to that taken on by an­ other Goderich hotel of more re­ cent times. Innkeeper Had Ideas Now Mr. Gentles got a great idea. He talked to his friends, the County Councillors, and of­ fered to build them their Court House, and he was going to make it a good one. It would be two stories high, would contain a courtroom 62 by 37 feet with a 14 foot ceiling, accommodation for all County offices, a jury room and a fireproof safe. For this, Mr. Gentles proposed that the County loan him 400 pounds, interest free fori five years, and that they agree to rent the build­ ing from him at a rate of 20 pounds per annum. The Council seemed to like this idea and a committee was set up to make “arrangements for procuring the money for Mr. Gentles as they see fit.” This time Mr. Wallace was on the committee. Somehow, between May and July, for reasons which are now lost in the dimness of the past, the negotations between the Council and Mr. Gentles collaps­ ed. When ihe Council met in July, Mr. Wallace was there with another proposal, and just in the nick of time, too. The Court of Queen’s Bench was getting im­ patient and threatened to re­ move to an adjoining County un­ less better accommodation were provided at once. Mr. Wallace moved that a sum of 3,000 pounds be raised “for the build­ ing (and if necessary the pur­ chasing of land) for a Court House and suitable offices.” This motion was carried. • It is obvious from the records that the .decision to build a prop­ er Court’ House was not reached without considerable discussion and that there were two factions hard at work. The Report brought in by the committee which was finally approved is one ■ of those masterly political documents which gives both sides something to support. The report began by giving no quarter to the objections of the .outside judges: “This com­ mittee are of the opinion that the present Court House is large enough for the business likely to be done for some time to come, and with the lately proposed al­ terations would remove the most serious objections raised by the Judge of the last assizes. However the report goes on: “But to remove all difficulty your committee would recom­ mend that the sum of two thous­ and pounds be yaised from- the Consolidated Loan Fund, and that loans and specifications be advertised for, and that two lots be purchased- in a central situa­ tion at a price rot to exceed 150 pounds.” ( The problem, of course, was far from settled. There were a couple of questions in the com­ mittee’s recommendation which were full of the.,, seeds of con­ troversy. There was the matter of “the suitable lots in a cent­ ral location.” In those days; the central area of Goderich was far from crowded and there were several locations which would fit these specifications. Then too, when the commit­ tee’s report was finally accept­ ed, Dr. Chalk introduced anoth­ er problem. He moved that “the said- By-law be submitted to the inhabitants of the respective Townships for their approval, ac­ cording to the Statute, and that any further action in the matter be suspended until the votes of the said inhabitants be taken.” This was carried. Indeed, it was the only legally acceptable pro­ cedure. Between July and September, the proposal for building a new Court House in Goderich receiv- ed what, for a moment, looked like a final setback. In the in­ tervening . months, the members of the County Council had obey­ ed their instructions and had referred the problem back to the citizens whom they represented. Thp procedure followed here was for each township to call a pub­ lic meeting at which the voters were free to express their opin­ ions as to whether or not the United Counties needed a new Court House. A ballot was then taken and the reeve was thus instructed as to whether or not he would support the erection of a new building. When Council, convened agaift in September, it was clear that most townships had voted against a new Court House at their pub­ lic meetings. On the surface, this looked to be the end of the matter. However, there were men on the Court House committee who were not given to yielding so easily. In the report they brought in they got around a final re­ jection this way: “The Council consented to appeal to the sense of the ratepayers and passed a resolution to' the effect that they were Willing to borrow on the credit of the Consolidated Loan Fund a sum sufficient to build a hew Court House. To obtain this loan, the law required that the voice of the ratepayers be taken, it has been taken and the result is that they are against the outlay, and consequently the Council is not in a position to build, but we would recommend that the By-law be again pub­ lished and reconsidered by the ratepayers.” • Another Chance So back they went to the peo­ ple of the townships and those who wanted a new building must have got in some good work, for when the Council met in Decem­ ber it was found that most town­ ships had changed their minds and now supported the By-law to w raise the required money. This information was presented to Council oft December 21st. 1853, and Mr. Wallace, the fore­ most supporter from the very beginning, clinched the deal with the following motion: “That a committee of three (and the Warden) be appointed to carry out the provisions of the pas­ sage of the By-law for the erec­ tion of a Court House to be -erect­ ed in Goderich oit the land given by the Canada Company for the purpose of building a gao’ and Court House or on some more suitable location to be selected by the said Committee." The Wallace Offer It was fairly clear that the Canada Company land while suitable for a gaol was not ideal for a Court House. It was not centrally located and besides the gaol building was built square in the middle of the lot so that a new building could not be properly placed without tearing down the gaol. Obviously, a more .central location was needed and it just happened that Mr. Wal­ lace owned a couple of lots which he thought would be ideal for the purpose. He offered them —at a price, of course—to the County. t But Mr. Wallace was doomed for disappointment. Another Scotsman, named Ross, also had some convenient lots and he, too, was ready to dispose of them — at a price — to the County. When a vote was taken it was decided that Mr. Ross’ lots at the corner of North street and St. Vincent, street' be bought for 120 pounds. This was the same price Mr. Wallace had asked, but Mr. Ross threw in 12 cords of stone which were on the prop­ erty and got the sale. But in the spring of 1853 when County Council met the members had thrown everything open again. On the 26th of January, Alexander McNabb, Reeve of Saugeen, moved “That the Court House Committee be 'permitted to substitute another site in .lieu of the lot purchased from Mr. Ross if deemed advisable.” There was something in the wind and it was a suggestion ■from the,Town Council'of God­ erich that the best place for the new building would be in the centre of th? Market Square. Deed From Town There was much to recom­ mend such a site, but there were arguments against it. For one thing, the Ross lots had,, been bought. For another the plans which were drawn up for the Court House were designed for a corner lot, not a square. Ac­ cordingly, the Council sent one of the original members of the Building Committee, John Holmes, of Goderich ’Township, down to Brantford to consult with the contractor, Mr. Mel­ lish of the firm of..Mellish, Mor­ rell and Russell. Mr. Mellish in- you from a Front Quartern 4 Rolled Rib Roasts 2 Rolled Blade Roasts 2 Pot Roasts 2 Short Rib Roasts ■ Shoulder Roasts • 1 or 2 Rolled Brisket Roasts • 3-4 Shank Pieces • 7-10 lbs'. Choice’ Minced Beef This is what we can give ♦ o for a three or four year term HURON & ERIE < MORTGAGE CORPORATION formed him that to alter the plans would cost an extra 250 pounds and the Building Commit­ tee thought that was too much. However, after considerable ne­ gotiation, the Town of Goderich agreed to make up the difference and to give the County a clear deed to the land of the Market Square and the approaches there­ to. This was obviously the right decision arid the site was final­ ly settled and there the Court House stood until it was destroy­ ed by . fire a hundred years lat­ er. The new 1956 Court House stands on the same spot. Only one snag remained to be settled. When Mr, Mellish drew his plans they vere far more elaborate and costly than the Council had envisaged. Mr. Wal­ lace had originally proposed an expenditure of 3,000 pounds. The Council had reduced this to two, but Mr. Mellish, with more vis­ ion than many gave him credit for, upped it to 4,000 pounds. This seemed like a lot of mon­ ey, but the Mellish firm was also building the Maitland River bridge. They showed that by having, both contracts they could give better value for both bridge and Court House than if the con­ tracts were let separately. The offer was accepted, this time without reference back to the -—Please Turn to Page 13 But Enjoy Good Beef PHONE 70 FOR SPECIAL PRICE ON F$ONT QUARTERS OR SIDES (FRONT & HIND) OF BEEF ’This is local beef—guaranteed young—no waste fat—quarters weigh from 75 to 100 lbs. ' I < All our meat is wrapped in POLYTHENE paper and fast 'frozen as soon as cut. There is no shrink- no freezer burn or discoloration, I WE WILL' CUT MEAT EXACTLY AS YOU RE­ QUEST, Our lockers will hold a side of Beef, Terms may be arranged on request. Exeter Frozen Foods Phone 70 Exeter ■ -4 Mr debentures GUARANTIED TRUST CERTIFICATES & BUMS i HUE-CMAM TRIM CANADA TRUST , companyft Head Office — London, Ontario DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVES Lloyd B. Hodgson, Centralia; F. G. Bonthron, Hensall; J. W. Haberer, Zurich B. M. 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