The Wingham Advance-Times, 1955-04-06, Page 1Solution to Main Street Traffic Tie-up
was
^coCouncil agreed to do
re-
Bert Platt reported
light on the corner of
ap-
the
With which is amalgamated the Gorrie Vidette and Wroxeter News
Subscription $3.00 per year, 7c per copy
ALONG THE MAIN DRAG
By The Pedestrian
GREEN THUMB?—Like garden
ing? Enjoy working with plants? Jack
Alexander is looking for people to
plant and care for flowers that will
go into Wingham’s flowerpots this
year. If you have secret ambitions as
a gardener, better contact him and
get signed up with a flowerpot.
0-0-0
STANDING ROOM ONLY—Ten
minute parking in front of the post
office and town hall seems to be pay
ing off, and people report that they
are now able to pick up their mail
Without double or triple parking.
Chief Platt says a few warning tickets
have been issued to people who over
step the ten minute mark, but so far
motorists have co-operated very well.
0-0-0
SEASON’S FIRST—First grass fire
of the season had everyone rushing
out Diagonal Road ahead of, behind,
and alongside of the fire truck, on
Saturday afternoon. No damage was
done except to the grass. Beats us
why people get this mad desire to
burn. grass in the first place, but it
happens every spring—and quite
often.
0-0-0
AHOY!—Boating season on the
prairie last week-end, and unless we
get a heavy rain it probably closed,
too. Two or three mariners were seen
trying out their craft on Wingham’s
occasional lake. The water wasn't
deep enough fpr the usual manoeuv
res, so the boys took it rather easy.
0-0-0
THE HEAT’S ON—Police Chief
'Bert Platt reports that several tickets
were issued last week for speeding,
and the chief is expecting to nab a
few more before this week’s
These offenders were tagged by
usual methods—wait 'til they
radar!
out.
the
get
The Ladies’ Auxiliary to Wingham
General Hospital held its April meet
ing in the Council Chamber and final
plans were made for the spring rum
mage sale, which will be held in the
armouries on Saturday, May 7, start
ing at two o’clock. Committees were
formed for collecting, marking and
Belling the articles which will be for
sale. These articles include clothing,
hats, shoes, furniture etc. 'In fact
anything can be sold and everyone is
asked to remember the rummage sale
when doing the spring cleaning.
It was decided to hold the final
game of the marathon bridge parties
on Friday evening, April 22, in the
Council Chamber, when prizes for the
season’s play will be awarded.
During March, the sewing groups
’ completed 185 articles, which includ
ed 47 bed spreads, 45 sheets, 43 adult
gowns and nursery supplies. Besides
this, three groups are kept busy with
the mending. Owing to the advanc
ing work on the new wing at^the
hospital, it was necessary to move all
the sewing equipment to the recre
ation room at the nurses’ residence,
where the sewing is now done. The
cutting committee reported 240 ar
ticles ready for completion.
W' In the absence of the president, Mrs.
G. R. Scott presided at the meeting.
ANGLICAN JUNIOR
AUXILIARY EASTER TEA
The Junior Auxiliary is holding an
Easter Tea, at the Rectory, on Wed
nesday, April 13th, from 3 to 5 p.m.
Candy and novelty table. Silver col
lection. Everyone welcome. F6*
LEGION EUCHRE
The Ladies’ Auxiliary to the Can
adian Legion, is holding a euchre, on
Monday, April 11, at 8.15 p.m. Admis
sion 35c. Good prizes. Lunch. Every
one welcome.F6b
W.I. COOKING CLASS
AT TOWN HALL
A cooking class on “Supper Dishes”
will be sponsored by the Women’s
Institute in the council chambers on
the afternoons of April 13 and 14 at
1.30 p.m. Miss Elizabeth Masters,
Ontario Department of Agriculture
will conduct. Everybody welcome.
F6:13b
EUCHRE AT BLUEVALE
The Country Curling Club Is hold
ing, a euchre in the Bluevale Commun
ity Hall, Wednesday, April 13, 8.30
_^.p.m. Good prizes, lunch counter.
WT Everyone welcome. Admission 255c.
, * F6*
WROXETER PROGRESSIVE
EUCHRE PARTY
The Wroxeter Library Board
hold a Progressive Euchre oh Tues
day evening, April 12th at 8.30 d’clock,
In Masonic Club Rooms. Novelty
prizes. COfrie and bring friends.
F6*
will
WINGHAM, ONTARIO, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 6th, 1055
at the Town Hall KENNETH G. KERR,
Members of the Wingham Community Players get “made-up” for the one-
act play festival held in the town hall last week. Left to right are Mrs.
John Currie, Mrs. Miles Overend, Mrs. Vic Loughlean and Mrs. Fred Saint.
Mrs. Overend and Mrs. Saint appeared in the Community Players’ play,
“Joint Owners in Spain”. —Photo by Cantelon.
PASSES SUDDENLY
A deep sense of personal loss
felt throughout the business commun
ity in Wingham on Tuesday, follow
ing the sudden death of.Kenneth G.
Kerr, Phm. B.
Mr. Kerr, who was 50 years of age,
was an exceptionally active business
man and had taken a leading place
in the Business‘Association and other
local organizations. A keen sports
man he had done much to foster and
assist the Luc-Tee-Win Conserva
tion Club. He was an active member
of the United Church and of its of
ficial board.
Born near Durham, in Grey County,
he' was educated there and later at
tended the College of Pharmacy in
Toronto. Following his graduation he
was employed as a pharmacist in that
city. During the second World War
he served overseas with the Canadian
Army.
Seven years ago Mr; Kerr purchas
ed the former McAvoy drug business
in Wingham.
On June 24, 1950, he was married
to Helen Ducklow, of Listowel, who
survives, and to whom the sympathy
of the entire community is extended.
Former ;Wingham Boy
Named Waterloo Clerk
LITTLE GIRL INJURED
ON DIAGONAL ROAD
i PLAN CELEBRATION FOR
HOWICK CENTENNIAL
Problems of parking on the main
street got a good deal of attention
at the regular meeting of the town
council on Monday and councillors
decided to try angle parking as a solu
tion to crowded conditions of Jos
ephine Street.
Councillor Jack Alexander, chair
man of the street committee, suggest
ed that angle parking be allowed on
the east side of Josephine Street
between Victoria and Patrick Streets,
and the motion was supported by
other councillors. Mr. Alexander said
that with the elimination of the bou
levard on this side of the street there
would be ample room for angle park
ing on one , side of the street.
Police Chief T. W. Platt was asked
his opinion of angle parking and he
told council that he was not in favor
of it. He said that many bumped fen
ders usually resulted from angle
parking, and that in the winter the
plans would not be practical because
of the amount of snow along the sides
of Wingham’s streets.
Council members said that it would
not be necessary to enforce the new
type of parking during the winter, and
that the idea could be inaugurated as
a trial during the summer, They
proved the painting of lines on
street for angle parking.
Parking Meters Out
Mr. Alexander reported that
sponse to a questionnaire on parking
meters, which had been circulated
Janie Baker, six-year-old daughter
of Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Baker, Diag
onal Road, was seriously injured on
Monday night when she was struck by
a truck near her home on Diagonal
Road. The truck was a light pickup,
owned by the County of Huron and
driven by Bower Farrish, of Gorrie.
According to eyewitnesses reports of
the accident, the little girl ran across
the road to some friends on the other
side. The children saw the truck ap
proaching and shouted a warning, but
the little girl was in the path of the
eastbound
unable to
accident.
% Another
of Bluevale, who was coming into
town from the east, saw the accident
and took the girl to Wingham General
Hospital, Hospital authorities report
ed that she suffered a fractured skull,
fractured right hip and multiple brush
burns to the face and head. The ac
cident occurred about 6 o’clock on
Monday evening.
Later in the evening she was taken
to Victoria Hospital, London, where
her condition was described on Tues
day as still serious.
Dr. Bernard Corrin attended the
child. Chief of Police T. W. Platt in
vestigated the accident.
truck, and the driver was
stop in time to avoid an
motorist, Arnold Lillow,
One fire this week to start spring
season right, was, a .grass fire at the
___Bill Conron’s property on
road. No damage resulted,
one field the firemen won’t
watch the grass burn off
rear of
Diagonal
but it is
have' to
again.
0-0-0
was there more enthusiasmNever
among the firemen than now. The
problem at hand is the raising of
funds to purchase a new resuscitator
—inhalator for the benefit of the com
munity at large. We feel that being in
a central location it would be a great
asset in case of an emergency, drown
ing, smoke fumes, etc., shock. At this
time Listowel is about to purchase
one or has now. It will be the only
town near Wingham to have this
equipment. It is a known fact the
first minutes of reviving a patient,
who is apparently drowned or electro
cuted mean life or death.
0 - Q - 0
To the organizations and business
firms who have already donated or
are suggesting a donation our most
grateful thanks for your support in
what we feel is a very worthwhile
community project. One life saved
cannot be calculated against the small
cost of this piece of equipment.
0-0-0
Fire practice will be held on Mon
day evening, April 11th, at 7 o’clock
sharp.o-o-o
The $64,00 question is, does anyone
know the whereabouts of a large
suction pump cap off one of the fire
trucks? it Was lost the night of the
High School fire. Perhaps it now
holds a flower pot or Is part df some
children’s toy collection. It is about
six inches in dlametet and nickel
plated. Last seen on the corner of
Carling Terraco and Victoria Street.
Any Informatidh please contact fire
Chief or ahy fireman.
AT MEETING EAST WEEK
At a meeting in the Gorrie Com
munity Hall on Thursday afternoon it
was unanimously decided to hold a
centennial celebration in Howick
township in 1956, it being the hun
dredth year since the . first Council
meeting. Harry Gowdy, township
reeve, presided. An executive was
chosen as follows: Chairman, Harry
Gowdy; vice chairman, John Winter;
secretary, Harold P011ock;< treasurer,
Roy Hunter.
The erection of a cairn in memory
of pioneer settlers was discussed and
a committee consisting of Warren
Zurbrigg, E. H. Strong and Ivan
Haskins was named.
The following committee conveners
were appointed with power to add to
their
Wade;
gram
sports
parade and floats, Knowlson Hueston;
decoration convener for each town,
Gorrie, W. E. Whitfield; Fordwich,
Allan Fries; Wroxeter, Ira McLean;
registration, Warren Zurbrigg; recep
tion, Women’s Institutes; accommoda
tion, Women’s Institute secretaries
with secretary of Gorrie W.I. conven
er; booth, Royden Devitt; grounds,
Gordon Underwood.
It
tion
ing,
and
dey
township.
Durward Preston, son of Mr, and
Mrs. Frank Preston, of town, who has
been a aiderman in the city of Water
loo for the past five. years was last
week appointed Waterloo city clerk.
Mr. Preston was selected by the
Waterloo council from a list of 18
applicants. '
He succeeds R. G. Given, who was
recently appointed city clerk and city
manager at Woodstock.
Mr. -Preston, a native of Wingham,
received his public and high school
education here.
Two members of Wingham Branch
180, Canadian Legion, were honored
at the regular meeting of the branch
last Tuesday. The meeting was one
of the best-attended and most enthusi
astic meetings of the season.
Past President’s badge was pre
sented to Donald Adams, president of
the branch during 1953 and 1954, by
district commander Fred O'Brecht of
Durham. A. Lloyd Hingston, First
World War veteran and financial sec
retary of the branch for the past
fifteen years, was presented with a
life membership and a wallet contain
ing a sum of money. Mr. Hingston
retired from the post last year. The
presentation was made by Chester
Merriam, of Tara, a
executive committee
provincial command.
Both officials gave
before the presentations. Other speak
ers at the meeting were George Inglis,
of Belmore; Earl “Tapper” Gray, of
Walkerton and Bill Newton, of Brus
sels, VLA field man.
Members approved a grant of $25
to the Legion’s national scholarship
fund, also a grant of $5 to the Easter
seal campaign. John Pattison, chair
man of the ways and means commit
tee, reported that regular bingo games
will be operated by the branch every
other Monday evening at the Legion
Home, beginning this month.
RCAF Recruiting Unit
Here April 27th
An RCAF 'mobile recruiting unit
will be in Wingham on Wednesday,
April 27, at the Town Hall.
Your are under no obligation when
visiting your RCAF Career Counsel
lors while they are here. They
gladly answer any question you
have about life in the Air Force,
training and other benefits.
The unit consists of officers
men chosen for their informality when
interviewing young men and women.
will
may
pay,
and
member of the
of the Legion’s
short addresses
LEAVE OF ABSENCE
the
numbers: Publicity, Norman
invitations, Tom (Edgar; ipro-
and music, Ward Schaefer;
and amusements, Ken Edgar;
was decided to hold the celebra-
in Gorrie starting Friday even-
June 29th, continuing June 30
July 1st, 1956 with special <
services in each church in
Sun-
i the
PAPER. DRIVE, CARNIVAL
The regular meeting of the Kins
men Club was held at the Queens
Hotel at 7 p.m., April 1st, with the
president, Lloyd Ellacott in the chair.
The singing of the Kin Song opened
the meeting followed by Len Craw
ford saying grace.
Cal Burke was appointed Sgt. at
Arms, and an unusually lively fine
session kept him busy for most of
the evening. Many of the fines were
imposed
sciously left themselves
criticism at the
meeting at Clinton, and later the
Zone Conference in Goderich. For
their misbehaviour at these two iim-
portant meetings a heavy fine was the
penalty.
The business session was kept as
brief as possible so that members
could attend the 3-one act plays being
presented in the town hall. -Incident?
ally, the play “The Monkey’s Paw”
sponsored by the Kinsmen Club took
top honours and thus received the
Lions Club Trophy. Congratulations
is due the directors and cast who
put on a fine presentation.
Possibilities of having a spring
paper drive was discussed and if there
is a market for paper it will be held
very shortly,
Tlie annual Kin KarniVal will bo
held this year under the chairmanship
of Jack Gorbutt. Plans Will be drawn
up immediately and advertising will
be out at a later date. The Kinsmen
plan a larger and better show this
year.
on Kinsmen who uncon-
open to
recent inter-club
Bridge Club
Five and a half tables were m play
at the regular meeting of the bridge
club on Thursday night. Winners
were as follows:
First, George Williams, O. Hasel-
grove; second, Mrs. P. F. 'Unsworth,
J. H. Crawford; third, Mys. J. H.
Crawford, P. F. Unsworth; fourth,
Miss Mary Johnston, R. S. Hethering
ton.
Rev. J. L. Coyle, pastor of
Wingham Baptist Church has been
granted a four month leave of absence
from his pulpit effective May 1st.
The executive of “The Fellowship of
Evangelical Baptist Churches in Can
ada” have asked Mr. Coyle to assume
the responsible position of Director
of Muskoka Baptist Conference in this
their Silver Jubilee year. The Con
ference grounds are located near
Huntsville on Mary Lake.
The deacon board and the member
ship of the church, although reluc
tant to part with their pastor, never-
the less felt that they would not like
to hinder this vital contribution to the
fellowship work.
Arrangements will be made for a
suitable supply during Mr. Coyle’s
absence. •
Kinsmen Play Awarded Trophy
At Annual Drama Festival
The second annual Wingham Com
munity Players drama festival was
held in the town hall on Thursday and
Friday,- with a fair crowd in attend
ance each night. Plays by the Com
munity Players, the Wingham Kins
men Club and the Howick Junior
Farmers were presented.
Winners of the Lions Club Trophy
for the best production went to the
Kinsmen entry, “The Monkey’s Paw,”
directed by Mrs. John Langridge.
Members of the cast were Jim Currie,
Barbara Edwards, Bill Connell, Jack
McKnight and Alan Williams.
RESIDENT OF GORRIE
MARKS 90TH BIRTHDAY
Mrs. Geo. Robertson, who was 90
years young on Sunday, April 3rd
celebrated the happy occasion at a
family dinner at the home of her
daughter, Mrs. Gladstone Edgar, con.
2, Howick, when the table was centred
with a gaily decorated birthday cake
and candles. Her brother, Wm. J.
Greenwood of Glenelg township was
unable to be present, but his family
and her sister Mrs. J. H. Robson and
family, also of Glenelg, near Durham
were in attendance.
Some thirty friends called in the
afternoon and she was the recipient
of many gifts, cards, plants and flow-
era.
Mrs. Robertson was the former An-
geline Greenwood and lived on con.
6, Glenelg township before her mar
riage 63 years ago to George Robert
son. They farmed for many years
on Highway 86 near Molesworth. Her
husband died in 1939. She resides
with her daughter Mabel, Mrs. Glad
stone Edgar. Other members of the
family are Annie (Mrs. Gordon (Ed
gar), Gorrie, Birks Robertson, Tees-
water, and Cameron Robettson,
Strathclaire, Manitoba.
Many friends Join us in congratu
lations and best wishes.
Don Sinclair, of Guelph, was adjudi
cator. Before presenting the award
to the winning play, Mr. Sinclair
spoke of how important the audience
itself is, in any presentation of drama.
Games of sport may be played without
onlookers, for the pleasure of the
game itself, but drama without an
audience is pointless.
Speaking generally Mr. Sinclair said
he felt the costuming of the plays was
good, and commended the directors
for using the apron of the stage. Mr.
Sinclair gave the Lion’s Club Trophy
to the Kinsmen’s entry, “The .Mon
key’s Paw” without hesitation, he
said, he felt that the play was well
directed, the suspense well
throughout and the lighting and per
formances excellent. Mr. Sinclair pre
sented the trophy to the director,
Mrs. John Langridge, who thanked
him on behalf of the Kinsmen Club.
Reviews Plays
. The first entry “Joint Owners In
Spain,” directed by Mary Louise
Flach lacked pace. Mr. Sinclair felt
the tempo was two slow, but would
be probably much improved with ex
perience and future presentation.
The third play, “Hanging Uncle
Henry,’’ directed by. Mrs. Tom Vittie,
was a flimsy play in Mr. Sinclair’s
opinion, but had been performed with
a vitality and enthusiasm which lifted
it above its plot. He congratulated the
young actors on their performances.
Mr. Sinclair felt the best acting of
the festival had been done by Audrey
O’Krafka as Emily in “Hanging
Uncle Henry” and Barbara Edwards
and Jim Currie as Mr. and Mrs.
White in “The Monkey’s Paw?’
Following the public adjudication,
Mr. Sinclair gave a private adjudica
tion in which he went over the per
formance of each actor In the festival,
giving advice and detailed criticism.
He also discussed the choice of plays
and gaye pointers on iihprovcments in
production which might have been
made. Mr. Sinclair was pleased that
a serious dranrta had been chosen as
an entry, as so many festivals he has
I attended have had only comedies pre-
sehted.
held
TO HOLD CENTENNIAL
Plans for a centennial celebration
in Morris Township in 1956 will be
discussed at a meeting to be held
next Monday in the Morris Township
Hall at 8.30 in the evening.
It is hoped that Elston Cardiff, M.P.
and many prominent Morris people
will be present at the meeting, when
plans will be laid for the celebration
and committees named.
All residents of Morris are invited
to attend the meeting.
In Wingham United Church on Sun
day evening, the cantata, “Olivet to
Calvary” was presented before a large
and appreciative congregation by the
United Church choir, under the lead
ership of Mr. W. B. Rothwell, organ
cantata
in the
way to
in the
ist and choirmaster. The
covered ten periods of time
last days of Christ:—On the
Jerusalem, before Jerusalem,
temple, the Mount of Olives, a new commandment, Gethsemane, betrayed
and forsaken, before Pilate, the march
to Calvary and reaching the climax on
Calvary.
The chorus parts were sung by the
full choir and solos were taken by
Mrs. George Guest, Mrs. W. Callan,
Mrs. J. McKnight, Mr. W. B. Conron
and Mr. Jack Heney, A quartette, sel
ection by Mrs. E. Shera, Mrs. K. Kerr,
Mr. F. J. Hill and Mr, Norman Keat
ing followed the new commandment.
Rev. D. J. MacRae, minister of the
church, conducted the worship, and
the service was closed by Rev. A.
Nimmo of St. Andrew’s Presbyterian
Church, who had kindly withdrawn
his evening service for the occasion.
A tape recording of the cantata was
made by q radio station CKNX, to
which the choir had tho pleasure of
listening later in the evening.
among local farm forums, indicated
that country people were a little
better Jhan 50% in favor of meters.
He thought that with opinion so
closely divided the town should take
no action on installing meters,
He pointed out that the biggest
complaint from country people wai
the number of merchants’ cars park
ed on the main street for long periods,
and suggested that council ask the
Business Association to circularize its
members and ask them to remove
their cars and the cars of their em
ployees from the main street during
the daytime,
this.
Police Chief
that a blinker
Diagonal Road and Victoria Street
Would cost the town $200, exclusive of
installation, and a traffic light at the
corner of Josephine and Victoria
would cost approximately $1,400 plus
installation. Mayor McKinney asked
the chief to ascertain if it would be
possible to have a single light in the
middle of the intersection, rather than
lights on four corners.
Streets Bad
Councillor Jack Alexander said that
Edward Street and Patrick Street at
the corner of Josephine Street were
in bad condition, and that something
would have to be done about tnem.
Deputy-Reeve Joe Kerr suggested
that hot mix be put on Patrick Street
when the construction company is
paving the Lucknow road, since at
that time the town could probably
get it done more cheaply.
Mayor McKinney said that surfac
ing of Edward Street would have to
wait until the year’s estimates were
in, but in the meantime he suggested
that the street be graded.
Council decided that signs be placed
on Diagonal Road at the town limits
warning motorists that children are
playing in the area.
Ask Armistice Holday
President Robert Scott and Past
President Donald Adams, of the
Canadian Legion Branch 180, appear
ed as a delegation to council to ask
that November ,11th be declared a
public holiday in Wingham-.
Mr. Scott pointed out that during
a recent poll of the merchants on the
question, 46 had voted for and 6 had
voted against a holiday on that date.
He asked that council declare a public
holiday on that date and that the
town approach other municipalities in
the area with a request that they do
likewise.
Mayor McKinney said that if the
majority of merchants wished a holi
day on that date he felt that council
would be agreeable. He suggested that
the Business Association, which had
conducted the poll, inform the council
officially of the result and then action
could be taken.
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE
COUNCIL MEETING
—Made a grant of $50 to the Sal
vation Army.
—Decided to pay a grant of $1,275
to the Lions Club on behalf of the
Boys’ and Girls’ band, as previously
promised.
—Backed a resolution of Waterloo
Township calling for a change in
legislation enabling municipalities to
tax "commercial type” cemeteries
operated for profit and gain.
—Left the question of a public
day on November 11th with
executive committee for further
sideration.
holi-
the
con-
—Decided to take up with the town
solicitor the appeal of L. G. Bryce
regarding assessment on a house on
the B Line.
—Decided to write a letter to the
Canadian Broadcasting Corporation in
support of W. T. Cruickshank’s ap
plication for a license to operate a
television station.
—Decided to inaugurate angle park
ing on the east side of Josephine
Streets between Victoria and Patrick
Streets.
—Passed by-law 1279 enforcing 10-
minute parking in front of the town
hall and post office.
—Passed building permit for the
erection of a service Station and
garage on Josephine Street by the
Supertest Petroleum Company, be
tween the CNR tracks and
Street.
ANNUAL MEETING OF
WINGHAM GOLF CLUB
Albert
Wing-
In the
The annual meeting of the
ham Golf Club will be held
council chambers on Monday, April
11th at 8 p.m. Lunch will be served.
Everybody welcome. F6b