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The Exeter Times-Advocate, 1956-12-13, Page 2Pag* 2 Th« Times-Advocate, Dtcambar 13< 1956 Jottings By J.M.St Editorials This newspaper believes the right to express an. opinion in public contributes to the progress of the nation and that it must be exercised freely to preserve and improve democratic government. Wrestling In Europe Face Up To Crisis McGillivray Township Parents Should Champion New School I have been watching Satur day night wrestling on TV. One hears frequently that wrestling as we see it on TV or in the ring is a lot of hooey, much of the rough work being staged to excite the crowd and attract dollars at the pay window. How ever the natch a week ago be tween Whipper Billy Watson and Nature Boy Buddy Rogers was anything but faked and the pun ishment both men took was something teriffic. It reminded me of two wrestling bouts we witnessed while on our over seas trip. The first was at Interlaken in Switzerland. We attended a con cert at the Casino; the program consisted of Swiss songs, music and dances by Swiss entertain ers and two of the numbers were wrestling matches. A mat was thrown on the stage and the wrestlers were wrapped in a canvas trunk that reached half way above the knees to the waist. One wrestler took a firm grip on the trunks of His op- It is difficult to understand Me-* Gillivray township’s reluctance to face up to its school problem. This week, ratepayers kicked out three board members, all supporters of the proposed central school, and Replaced them with anti-school candi dates. Last year, the electors voted out two pro-school councillors. These measures were taken to keep the ’taxes down—and save the taxpayers’ money. There’s no doubt that end is being achieved but we strongly suspect it is being achieved at the expense of the ratepayers’ own children. The school board’s proposal to build a central school is estimated to cost the ratepayers about $10 per farm per year. Board members are agreed, unanimously, that it would be money foolishly spent to repair the century-old school buildings in the township when, for not much more, a central school could be built—a school that would provide much better facili ties for the education of children in the township. Even if the board’s estimate is low, as most, estimates are these days, twice that amount would not seem much to sacrifice to give children a good education. The more extreme oppositions are using alarmist tactics. They’re saying it will cost each farmer $100 a year. They’re preying on the farmers’ fear of skyrocketing costs in the face of lower farm prices. >. • The irony of the situation was evident at the nomination meeting at the township hall in West McGillivray. Outside the hall, stretching far up the road on both sides, were at least 50 modern, comfortable cars. Inside the hall, a ratepayer vehemently opposed a new school to replace old, dilapidat ed buildings, many of which haven’t even inside toilets or running water for children. ,Are cars and low taxes more im portant than adequate facilities for the education of children? We doubt that a majority of rate payers Will believe one oppositionist’s statement that a rural school educa- Honor The citizenship trophy presented to Murray Dawson, R.R. T Hensall, at Huron County 4-H Achievement Night here Friday evening is no mean honor. It ■ represents the highest award which can be won by a young farmer in this big county of 40,000 people. The Usborne youth has demon strated that he does ‘.‘Learn by Doing,” the motto of the 4-H movement. Al though he has not attended agricul tural school or college, he has made himself one of the leading young farmers in the county by actively participating in 4-H and junior farmer programs. The award is indeed a credit to him, his family and his community. Advice Said the University of Toronto’s President Sidney Smith to his students: “If you choose to work, you will > succeed; if you don’t, you will fail. If you neglect your work, you will dislike it; if you do it well, you will enjoy it. If you join little cliques, you will be self-satisfied; if you make friends widely, you will be interesting. If you gossip, you will be slandered; if you mind your own business, you will be liked. If you act like a boor, you will be- despised; if you act like a human being, you will be respected. If you spurn wisdom, wise people will spurn you; if you seek wisdom, they will seek you. If you adopt a pose of boredom, you will be a bore; if you show, vitality, you will be alive. If you spend your free time playing bridge, you will be a good, bridge player; if you spend it in reading, discussing and thinking of things that matter, you will be an educated person.” tion is the best in the world. Educa tion authorities have proven that children who graduate from one-room schools are not as far advanced as those from graded schools. It’s only common sense. A farmer knows he can’t manage eight opera tions at once as efficiently as one—he cannot expect a teacher to instruct eight grades at once as efficiently as she does one. The fact that there are now over 200 central schools operating success fully in rural areas in Ontario should convince at least some ratepayers that there is merit in this plan. The fact, too, that all members of the school board are solidly behind the central school proposal should convince ratepayers that the situation at least deserves serious consideration. We wonder how many of the rate papers have actually investigated the problem which the school board faces. We arg surprised at council’s at titude to the issue. As the representa tives of the people, the township’s leaders, they should be taking a con structive approach to this serious problem. -Instead, their attitude is negative. “When the people are for it, we’ll be for it,” several councillors said at the nomination meeting. This appears to be an excuse to sidestep the issue. Council members — not only in McGillivray but in all other centres— should remember that the education of youth15 is much more important to the future .of the community than roads, bridges, culverts and drains. Even though the administration of education does not come directly under their control, councils must ap preciate this fact. Most of the McGillivray council members seem to agree—as do the strongest opponents—that something must be done to the schools. Yet they offer no alternative except to wait. It’s doubtful if Availing will achieve anything. Costs are going up, not down. At the nomination meeting, there were no women present and many of the men who opposed the school were. of the age that they would have no children going to school. Perhaps it’s time the mothers and fathers of McGillivray children spoke up. The new school needs to be championed by some group in the townships—parents of these children are the logical people for the job. No Joke (Wingham Advance-Times) Last week this column was fairly outspoken on the matter of citizens who are too apathetic, to attend nom ination meetings and to demonstrate even a passing interest in the public affairs of their own municipality. Since that time, liowe'ver, we have learned of an episode which points up a situation much more deplorable than mere indifference. In a neighbouring village one of ’ the candidates for the office of reeve is a man who is not even too sound mentally. He is opposing a solid and conscientious citizen who has several years of experience in that capacity, • and an election has been made neces sary simply because a few of the local wags thought it would be a great joke to nominate him. Needless to say they didn’t'even attend the nomination meeting to state their reasons for pro posing the name of an ageing and, somewhat irresponsible man. In the first place, of course, it is hard for decent people to understand the mentality of those who could sub ject such a pitiable person to. the laughter and humiliation which he Will encounter. But above all it is even more difficult to believe that any person could risk the welfare of his own community so foolishly. Forgetting all about a nomination is one thing; making a farce of the proceedings is something inestimably worse. As the "TIMES” Go By 50 YEARS AGO RUSSELL-DUNSFORD — In Stephen, on December 12, by the Rev.. D-. W, Collins, Mr. Milton Moir Russell of Hay to MisS Mary Clara daughter of Mr. Wil liam Dunsford of the Lake, Road, Stephen. Messrs. ■ Gladman and Stan- bury will shortly move into their new office recently purchased from Mr. B, S. O’Neil. Chief Weekes of the Fire De partment has notified the busi ness men of the care necessary to avoid fire in the decoration of windows with evergreen. A lot of teaming is being done at Crediton, especially brick which are being drawn to Exeter for the canning factory. The old schoolhouse at Credi ton was offered for sale by the trustees. The two-roomed build ing was sold to Jos. Haist for $86 and the principal’s room to Conrad Kuhn for $46. 15 YEARS AGO Seventeen members of the RCAF arrived in’ Exeter on Wed nesday to take over guard duty at the Centralia airport. Mr. J. R. C. Moffatt, manager of the Canadian Bank of Com merce, is being transferred to a Toronto branch. Services at Shipka, Brinsley and Crediton will be conducted Christmas Sunday by the min ister, Rev. Lawrence Turner. Exeter Badminton . Club were, guests of the London players last Wednesday evening at the Y.M.C.A. A packed gallery of fans was treated to some fast, classy basketball as the Exeter High School team took the Westervelt Grads into camp 35-19. 25 YEARS AGO Mr. W. R. G’oulding, music teacher is preparing for 22 school concerts between now and Christ mas. The Post Master General has granted authority for all post offices to be closed o.n Christ mas and New Year’s Day. The large bank barn of Mr, John Kleinfeldt near Cromarty was destroyed by fire about seven o’clock Wednesday morn ing. The property known as the Pinery has been sold to Frank Salter Company of Detroit for approximately a half million dol lars. Miss Margaret Penhale who is attending Normal School in Lon don was home for the weekend. The Women’s Institute are sending their usual box of Christ mas cheei' to the County Home. 10 YEARS AGO Miss Marion Rundle who" rep resented Huron County at the 4-H Club at the International Stock Show in Chicago, during the past week returned home on Monday. Mr. A. W. Morgan resigned as clerk of Usborne Township at the council meeting on Sat urday. Sherman Willis, veteran Peace River district fire ranger, re turned to this district for the first time in 30 years on Friday. The mildest December for many a year is what the’weath er bureau tells us. Queenie Mc Donald picked a \couple of vio lets on Monday. The Huron County Crop Im provement Association was or ganized last January and dur ing the year has been responsible for all experimental plants and demonstration areas through out the county. ponent and they bounced each other around until one was thrown. Then they shook hands .and a second pair entered the ring. It was rough and tumble but good clean sport with, no one getting hurt. On the last afternoon in Lon don I took a stroll through Ken sington Gardens, considered one of the most charming bits of woodland to be found in any great city, the trees being chief ly lime, elm and chestnut. On either side of the Broad Walk there are beautiful flowers and it is on the Broad Walk that many nursemaids, of all ages, paraded with their charges in the handsome perambulators that the English are noted, for. At one' point is the Albert Me morial, erected by Queen Eliza beth in memory of her husband. The memorial is 175 feet in height with 178 statues of famous artists and craftsmen. It was at Kensington Palace that Queen Victoria was born and the Gar dens formed part of the estate. I was returning to the Ken sington Hotel and stopped to read the announcements in front of the Albert Memorial Hall and , noticed that there was a wrest ling match on that night’, Ac companied by Charles Tatham, of Woodstock, we strolled down to the hall (seating capacity about 5,000) and heard one partv remark that the tickets were all sold out. Admission tickets were sold at different entrances ac cording to the price. We went half way around the building and were lucky to get ground floor seats not ten yards from the wrestling ring. Looking around the building there was tier after tier of spec tators and from what we could see every seat was filled. We were just in time for the opening. There were six bouts in all. There was nothing of the rough tactics and horse play that we see on TV. The referee had little to do.- Each time he called for a break the wrestlers broke cleanly. At half time there was inter mission and the first match after intermission was between one of London’s favorite wrestlers and one from the continent. I was not particularly interested in their names but I did become greatly interested in their wrest ling. It was a wonderful exhibi tion of strength and holds and at one time, when one of the wrestlers broke a particularly strong hold, the two shook hands. I do not remember whether it was a win or a draw, but I do remember the announcer stat ing that it was one of the best wrestling exhibitions ever seen in ‘Albert Hall. As we were leaving for Liver pool the next morning there was packing to do and we did not remain for the last, two bouts. f IYOU RENOT A GOODDRIVER 5 ‘ ‘ L ■ 'T,j‘ ■’ Letters To The Editor Plaintiff I Suggests Lawsuit Resign 5 ffije <xeter Times Established 1873 Amalgamated 1924 Advocate Established 1881 Published Each Thursday Morning at Stratford, Ontario An Independent Newspaper Devoted to the Interests of the Town of Exeter and District Authorized a< Second Class Mail, Post Office Department, Ottawa MEMBER: Canadian Weekly Newspaper Association, Ontario Weakly Newspaper Association and Audit Bureau of Circulation, AWARDS: 1956—A, V. Nolan- Trophy, general excellence far newspapers published In Ontario town* between 1,500 and 4,500 population; E. T, Stephenson Trophy for best front page among Ontario weekly newspapers (also wan in 1954b 1953—All* Canada Insurance Federation national safety award; Ontario Safety League award. Paid-in-Advante Cireulatioh as of September 30, 1955—2,734 SUBSCRIPTION RATtS (In Advance)—Canada |3.M Per Year; U.S.A. $4.00 Exeter, Ontario December 10, 1956 The Editor ' Exeter Times-Advocate Exeter, Ontario Dear Sir: I would appreciate space for- the following’ letter which may be of interest to Exeter taxpay ers. During the last year, the tax payers of Exeter have read and heard only the council side of the dump dispute. Many interested people and sympathizers phoned during this time to offer support and to hear both sides. We have waited until now to say anything as we nat urally assumed when we had proven to all, that we in the north end were justly due the same consideration as those not affected by the dump, that we would receive at least a private apology if not a public one for the injustice done to us. Time has proved that only some peo ple are big. The court action was not an overnight decision; we had ap pealed, pleaded and begged for some relief from the smell and smoke of the dump for many, many years. A petition signed by ..practically all the north end residents was also ignored. The council adopted the attitude that they would dictate what was best for us and seemed to forget that they are not masters, but only paid servants of the taxpayer. A few years ago, insult was added to injury, when the dump was moved closer and despite repeated appeals from us in 1954 t.o alleviate the distress, nothing was done. In early 1955, the De partment of Sanitation in a letter to me, requested the council through the Board of Health rep resentative, to adopt the land fill method of covering trenched garbage every week. This the council agreed, to do and I was more than willing toflgo along with this plan. However, alter months of repeated entreaties to get started with it, I was finally told it was too expensive and wouldn’t be ’done. I attempted to have one very dangerous fire extinguished when the entire dump area was on fire in August 1955 and the wind in my direction, bqt the fire department was ordered to lot it burn. (This may have been fire prevention week, but i’m not sure). This necessitated leaving our residence for the entire weekend. On appealing that day to the Health Board representative to the council to merely come and look at the dump, the appeal fell on deaf •ears. In the time elapsed between the Supreme Court Writ and the ..- - «--< - money was spent. I think it would be very interesting to the taxpayers to have council pub lish a complete statement of the total amount of tax money spent during this time on maintaining the old dump, buying the new and together with legal costs and fees in fighting to keep the old dump operating, plus the amount of settlement. Suffice to say, it could have been settled early in 1955 for the price of a little human consideration. Those of us who had to resort finally to legal means to make Trustee R.aps School Site Hensall, Ont. Dec.' 6, 1956 Dear Sir: Apparently <the person' respon sible for the writing of the Hen sall election results in the Dec. 6 edition of your paper was not satisfied to let sleeping , dogs lie. The only councillor who want ed the school built on the new site was Lome Luker. Council lor Henderson was as much op posed to it as Harry Hoy and Jim Sangsler. The final meeting of the school board had with council was the first time Hen derson voted to support the new site. He had presslire put on him all summer by continual visits from certain School board members. They were positive he was the only council member that could be changed. There fore, between the school board members and other ratepayers who Would benefit financially they really gave him the works. At the above mentioned meet ing the contract awards were read first to try to influence council members because nat urally there were local sub con tracts let. If the school had been built on the old site, the cost would ■ have been somewhat less. No doubt we will need mote room in the next five or ton years and the cost of adding to the now building will be several thousand dollars. On the old site we have two very good rooms that could be used, heated from the main building and slightly ■ redecorated for a tremendous saving. I will make this prediction that a Jot of ratepayers (includ ing the present school board) will be sorry before the school is paid for. School board member ' ........ the town assume its responsibil ities can only assume that had the town fathers found they were legally in the right, they would still be using the old, site regard less of their employer’s wish. . The statement, re the settle-' ment in the Times-Advocate dis closed the town paid legal fees and costs with no compensation. If the council wishes to stick by that, it is perfectly all right with us, but as for “no compensa tion’’, that insults the intelligence of mature people. The undertaking-as signed by the mayor and clerktreads: “We, the\undersign^d, give as- ‘ surance on' behalf of the Town of Exeter, that the land prev iously used as a garbage dump in this municipality and consist ing of lot 904 and part lot 903, plan 20, will no longer be ever used for the purpose of dump ing garbage.—Signed R. E. Pool- ey (mayor) and C. V. Pickard (clerk).” I think it is only fair to say that should the garbage left un covered in the Fall become ex posed by milder weather, or, the town allow any garbage to be deposited by. others, theicase will be immediately re-opened. To those members of the coun cils of 1955-1956, who are mem bers of an ancient and accepted fraternity, I have been advised to suggest to them that they re view their retrospect and obliga tions—judge themselves, and quietly resign. Trials by com mission are very embarrassing. Thany you,’ Mr. Editor. Geo. Shaw Provide Funds For Education Centralia, Ontario December 3, 1956 Dear Mr. Editor: I am moved to write you be cause I do not believe that our younger folk have ever been in formed as to the vast amounts of money that have been set aside so that they may, by in vesting time and energy, take any degree in engineering they may wish and it is not neces sary to finish high school in all cases. There is over $60 million ^set aside in North America by firms who are willing to invest the money in the education of youth so they can assist in the tech nological and scientific advance ment of our society. This letter is intended only as bait, Anyone wishing details can enquire of you and I am sure you would be glad to refer them to me. Yours sincerely, IF YOU CUT IN ON TRAFFIC Passing cars when there is barely enough room to avoid oncoming traffic causes count less highway accidents. Make certain you have plenty of time to pull out, pass and regain your place in line. You will lose only seconds of time but you may save a life. HOW GOOD ARE YOUR DRIVING HABITS? fill? »mi!IJ>l I Wil WMIIWMWWWMI DEPARTMENT OF H I G H WAYS—O NTAR1 O Business Directory . VIC D1NNIN Savings Investments and Annuity Certificates INVESTORS SYNDICATE of Canada, Limited INVESTORS MUTUAL of Canada Ltd. Balanced Mutual Fund Shares PHONE 168 , ZURICH BELL & LAUGHTON BARRISTERS, SOLICITORS & NOTARIES PUBLIC ELMER D. BELL, Q.C. C. V. LAUGHTON, L.L.B. Zurich Office Wednesday Afternoon Parkhill Thursday Afternoons EXETER PHONE 4 W. G. COCHRANE, B.A, BARRISTER & SOLICITOR NOTARY PUBLIC Hensall Office Friday Afternoon EXETER PHONE 14 DR. H. H. COWEN DENTAL SURGEON L.D.S., D.D.S. Main Street Exeter Closed Wednesday Afternoon PHONE 36 ALVIN WALTER PROVINCIAL LICENCED AUCTIONEER 'For your sale, large or small, courteous and efficient service at all times, "Service that Satisfies” PHONE 57-r-2 DASHWOOD USBORNE & HIBBERT MUTUAL FIRE INSURANCE COMPANY Head Office: Exeter, 'Ontario President Marfin Feeney R.R. 2 Dublin Vice-President E. Clayton Colquhoun , R.R, 1 Science Hill Directors Harry Coates, R.R. 1 Centralia Wm. A. Hamilton Cromarty Milton McCurdy R.R, 1 Kirkton Alex J. Rhode R.R, 3 Mitchell Agents Thos. G. Ballantyne R,R, 1 Woodham Clayton Harris R.R. 1 Mitchell Stanley Hocking Mitchell Solicitor W* G. Cochrane Exeter Secretary-Treasurer Arthur Fraser Exeter ARTHUR FRASER INCOME TAX REPORTS BOOKKEEPING SERVICE ETC. Ann St., Exeter Phone 504 G. A. WEBB, D.C.* *Doctor of Chiropractic 438 MAIN STREET, EXETER X-Ray and Laboratory Facilities Open Each Weekday Except Wednesday Tues. & Thurs. Evenings 7-9 For Appointment - Phone 60S N. L. MARTIN OPTOMETRIST Main Street, Exete/ Open Every Weekday Except Wdenesday For Appointment Phone 355 JOHN WARD CHIROPRACTIC DRUGLESS THERAPIST Rear of 429 Main St., Exeter Phone 348 Closed on Wednesdays DR. J. W. CORBETT ’ L.D.S., D.D.S. DENTAL SURGEON 814 Main Street Soulh Phone 273 fcxafer Closed Wednesday Afternoons