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The Exeter Times-Advocate, 1974-04-11, Page 1wirtroit0/0 oPet EXHAUST SYSTEMS 4r, CANOES DID CROSS — A practical joker placed a Kanoe Crossing sign in front of the Jerry MacLean and Son Automotive store over the weekend. During a recent windstorm, two canoes were blown onto Highway 4 from their display location and were hit by automobiles. MacLean is shown in the above picture in one of the craft. T-A photo Usborne seek secondary plan Usborne township council is seeking approval from the Ontario Ministry of Treasury, Economics and Intergovern- mental Affairs to begin formation of a secondary plan for the municipality. . Council is asking proVincial permission to hire a university student to gather input data on planning this summer. Working in conjunction with Huron County planner Gary Davidson, the student who would be employed by the township for about 16 weeks would survey the municipality. Davidson hopes with this in- formation to begin Usborne's secondary plan by late fall or early in 1975. Under the government program for student involvement in municipal administration, the province pays 80 per cent of a student's salary and the balance is picked up by the township. D. Young of A. M Spreit and Associates has been appointed as engineer to make a survey and report as required by the Ontario Waste Management branch for approval of a waste disposal site at Kirkton. Two municipal drainage petitions were accepted. A complaint on the Essery drain as presented by William Essery and Walter Buswell will be passed on to A. J. De Vos of A. M Spreit and Associates to examine the drain and bring in a report. A petition presented by Lorne Johns on behalf of Murray Johns and Philip Hern, owners of lots 9 and 10, concession 10 was ap- proved and will be forwarded to A. M. Spreit for a survey and report. Land severance applications from Elmore McBride, lot 16, concession 2 and Roy Westcott, part of lot 14, concession 4 were granted. General accounts in the amount of $6,540.34 were ap- proved and road accounts totalled $4,615.26. Council learned that the Huron County requisition for 1974 would be $67,140 an increase of $4,039 from last year. One Hundred and First Year Price Per Copy 25 Cents EXETER, ONTARIO, APRIL 11, 1974 Lloyd George Salter, RR 3 Kippen, was acquitted Thursday of a charge of non-capital murder in the October 5 slaying of a 93- year-old Hensall widow, An all-male Ontario supreme court jury deliberated for only three and a half hours at the end of the nine-day trial before returning their verdict. The 39-year-old Salter had been charged after the nude body of Mrs. Jane Burton MeMurtrie was found in an upstairs bedroom of her home. Evidence during the trial. showed she had been sexually assaulted and strangled. Mr. Justice Thomas Zuber described the case as an unusually long and difficult one. In his charge to the jury, SALTER IS ACQUITTED lasting more than an hour, 114r. Justice Zuber said there was, no doubt the woman was murdered and by someone who cut telephone wires before entering the house, "The person meant to do it . . or cause the bodily harm said, tha t brought about her death," be Defence lawyer James. Don- nelly, in his 70-minute summation of evidence, questioned the adequacy of the police in- vestigation into the case, He said no fingerprints were found in the entire Melgurtrie home despite the presence of about 16 persons the day the woman's body was discovered. He also contended that Please turn to page 3 Will still leave deficit of $8,000 MODELLING WINTER WEAR — With the continuation of cool weather, the articles modelled by the two ladies in the above picture were popular at Saturday's South Huron Hospital Auxiliary rummage sale. They are president Olga Davis and Jean Neil. T-A photo RAP seeking $40,000 in grants More from Stephen budgetted for the arena roof repairs, but RAP didn't un- dertake this work. When the expenses were being balanced against the anticipated revenues, Stephens pointed out RAP "can't justify leaving rates (rental and program)) as they are." year's committee spent only $27,000 of the town's $35,000 grant was due to the latter two figures. An overpayment in insurance premiums in previous years, decreased last year's to about $1,300, in comparison to the normal $4,700. Another $5,000 had been All members appeared to agree that sizeable increases would have to be made in rental fees for the arena and grounds, as well as registration for all programs. It is expected new rate schedules for summer activities will be reviewed at the next meeting. added to fire area The gravel contract for the year 1974 for the township of Stephen has been let to Ray Ireland Contracting of London. The London firm will crush, load, haul and spread ap- proximately 20,000 cubic yards of gravel from Prout's Pit in Usborne township. The accepted tender was the lowest of three received and the work is to be done in September. Stephen council has accepted an increase in their share of costs for fire protection provided 'by- the Exeter and area fire board. Under the new agreement Stephen will pay 14 per cent of all fire costs and will have the area covered by the Exeter fire department enlarged to include Concessions 1, 2 and 3 from the Crediton road to the South Boundary. The police village of Centralia which has its own fire brigade is not covered by Exeter and Huron Park industrial and residential complex will receive backup protection only from Exeter. Stephen previously paid 11 per cent. The increase of three per cent was based on the amount of assessment contained in the enlarged area. Councillors will be attending a seminar on "challenges of restructuring of local govern- ment" at Goderich on April 19. It is being sponsored by the Ontario Resort want tax 'return' ships whose residents patronage Exeter's facilities and programs. He also noted that of the $40,000 the town would recover $6,600 in provincial grants for local recreation programs. Total expenses for the year outlined in the budget are $88,495. Almost half of that is for salaries. Another $12,000 was estimated for utilities, including gas, fuel oil, water and hydro. Insurance premiums were set at $5,000 and Alvin Willert predicted the arena roof repair project would cost $8,000. The main reasons why last Association of Counties and Regions. A land severance application from Ray Shoebottom in the police village of Centralia was tentatively approved. A grant of $30 was authorized for the Hensall-South Huron Agricultural Society for the Hensall Twilight Fair to be held June 4. In addition $4 for each of four calves shown by Stephen boys and girls will be paid. Five tile drain loans totalling $50;000 were-approved.- Six municipal drain reports — Please turn to Page 3 Vandals attack Exeter stores HATS GALORE — Ladies looking for an Easter bonnet were in luck at Saturday's rummage sale at the Ex- eter Legion sponsored by the South Huron Hospital Auxiliary. Modelling the Easter possibilities are Edna Dietz, Norma Coleman, Dorothy Munroe and Hazel Westcott, T-A photo Bit Huron Park youngster Death cause undetermined Judge orders dog destroyed The exact cause of death of a Lucan man Saturday has not been determined according to the Lucan detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police. The body of Stuart Sceli was found in his home at 138 Albert street. A neighbour Glenn Snider found the man on the bedroom floor of his home. The bed and bedclothes were destroyed by fire but Mr. Sceli was not burned. Corporal B. F. Crane said it appeared the man was trying to put out the fire and was overcome by smoke, When police and firemen arrived the house was filled with smoke but the fire had burned out. Mr. Snider was alerted by paper delivery girls Ethel Dykeman and Cynthia who saw smoke when they opened the front door to toss in the morning paper, Corporal Crane said results of the post mortem had not been received. Mr. Sceli was known to have a heart condition. He recently retired from the Middlesex County roads department and was acting as crossing guard at the Lucan public school, The funeral was held Tuesday from the C. Haskett and Son Funeral Home with Rev. Ewart Madden officiating. Surviving are his wife, the former Jean Evans; soils, Clinton and Clair, London township and Norman of London and one daughter Darlene, Vancouver, He was the brother of Mrs. John (Myrtle) Herbert, Licari and Allan and Clayton, both of Florida. Grand Bend feels left out of Lambton County and wants something to show for the taxes it pays, Reeve Robert Sharen told county council Friday. Mr. Sharen was commenting on a letter sent to the county by his council asking for a review of ther 1974 el:Ably budget. The Grand Bend council protested cut of necessary programs and retention of many "high-cost items" which it didn't specify. Mr. Sharen said he had provided his councillors with background information on the budget and they drew their own conclusions. "We have no county roads in our area and I think they were also objecting to grants to groups like Victoria Playhouse Petrolia, things they feel are not all that essential," he said. "They felt they should object because of the small return we get for our dollars." Petrolia Reeve Lyle Hasson asked if it was "some kind of public relations letter."County council simply received and filed it. Grand Bend is left out in more down-to-earth ways, Mr. Sharen reported later. He said the county has done a poor job of advertising its plumbing inspection department. He said he had a Huron County plumber working on his house "who didn't even know we had inspectors until I asked him when the inspection would be done." In earlier discussions Grand Bend council members pointed out the summer resort area benefitted from only a few county services. One of these was the county library which has quar- ters in the Grand Bend public school. Thieves are busy throughout district Thieves were busy in the area this week, with Exeter OPP in- vestigating five occurrences. e On Wednesday, a tractor valued at $150 was stolen from a farm in Hay Township. It/was later recovered in Westminster Township and one person has been charged in connection with the theft by ConstableFAl Quinn. A camera and other items were reported stolen from Stephen Central School on Friday. The items have been recovered and four juveniles charged as a result. Constable Bill Lewis is the investigating officer. Two thefts were reported Saturday. About $25 in coins was removed from a vending machine at the Lloyd Jaques Gulf station in Woodham. A wallet was stolen from Elaine Foran, Huron Park, while she was at the Club Albatross. The wallet was later found in the parking lot outside, minus $20. Between $3.00 and $4.00 was taken from a coffee machine at the Hensall mill of W. G. Thompson and Sons Ltd. over the weekend, Entry had been gained by smashing a window. Yvon Lauren, Huron Park, reported a quantity of liquor stolen sometime between 10:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m., Sunday. Exeter's RAP committee deliberated on their 1974 budget for over two and a half hours Monday before agreeing to ask council for a total of $40,000 in grant money. That's an increase of almost 15 percent over last year's requisition but it works out to a whopping big 50 percent over what RAP actually spent in 1973. Even at that, the grant still leaves RAP with an anticipated deficit of almost $8,000 over estimated costs for the current year and indications are that either programs will have to be drastically curtailed or par- ticipants ' will have to pay con- siderably more for recreation programs and facilities. In presenting a motion to ask council for $40,000, finance committee chairman Bruce Shaw said the group would either have to ,reduce, expenditures or in- crease revenues. Bob Pooley said the request to council was "too light" in view of the expenses outlined and added there was "no way" increased rental rates and program registration fees could make up the $8,000 difference. Both he and John Stephens opposed asking for only $40,000. Stephens a member of the finance committee, explained there was "no fat built in at all" in the proposed budget. Shaw said it may be necessary for RAP to promote their facilities more, but he met op- position from Jack Underwood with his suggestion that the group may have to consider staging dances to raise funds for their programs. Underwood indicated he did not think staging raffles and dances was part of RAP's respon;, sibilities. Shaw replied that the wine and cheese festival in Ingersoll was used to pay for town programs and was highly successful. RAP chairman Gord Baynham hinted there may be other sources of revenue. He cited these as the neighboring town- Vandals were responsible for damage to two Exeter business establishments this week. Friday, Harold Patterson, owner of Pat's Pet Shop on Main street reported someone had entered a storage room at the rear of the store and damaged three tropical fish aquariums valued at $50. Damage was estimated at about $200 when a pop bottle was thrown through a large . plate glass window at Avco Financial Services Main street. The only accident of the week occurred Monday afternoon when a vehicle driven by Ross McNair, 5 Columbia Crescent, Huron Park struck a tree at the corner of Gidley and Andrew streets. Constable James McMeekin investigated and set damages at $300. case and pointed out it was not known if the child had in fact done something to aggravate the animal. Crown Attorney W. G. Cochrane agreed there was some difficulty in the case because the animal was confined on its own property, but pointed out that the possibility of it being a menace in the community was a con- sideration. Judge Hays remarked that even if the dog was kept behind the fence there would always be a potential danger,through error,to young children who have a tendency to trespass in that particular area and who do not know potential danger where it exists, Further, he contended, a dog would not be expected to decide between a grown person and a small two-year-old child. It was his decision that the owners of the animal had failed to show that the dog should not be destroyed under conditions of the vicious dog act. dog jump at another girl at a later date, but the child in that instance escaped injury. Mrs. Bath told the court the family had experienced no previous problems with the animal and that they had moved to Huron Park only two days before the incident. There were no witnesses and the court was told the animal was chained behind a fence on its owner's property. Defence lawyer Norman Pickell argued it was an isolated Judge Glenn Hays ruled in Exeter court, Tuesday, that a Huron Park dog would have to be destroyed. Evidence revealed the German Shepherd, owned by Stewart Bath, bit a two-year-old child on September 10. A piece of flesh the size of a quarter was bitten out of the child's face below the eye. The child, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Melvin Winger, will have to undergo plastic surgery in the future to repair the damage. Mr. Winger testified he saw the Area firm is given $300,000 ODC loan An Ontario Development Corporation loan will help provide funds for Canadians to purchase Hughes Boat Works from a major U.S. corporation. Industry and tourism minister Claude Bennett has announced a $300,000 ODC loan to newly established North Star Yachts Limited of Huron Park, The funds will enable the company to take over the operation of Hughes Boat Works Limited which is to be liquidated by its former owner, United States Steel Corporation. The sale was announced last week. An investment group headed by Londoner Joseph Jeffery are among the new owners, Other Londoners in the hi- VeStMent group are: Larry Charge pair stole vehicle from west Two persons who were ap- prehended in Exeter Friday were sentenced in Provincial Judge's Court in Goderich Monday for possession of a stolen car and identification and credit cards. Gordon Clarence Kadey, 4435 Maplewood Crescent Burnaby British Columbia and formerly of Exeter was sentenced to a total of three months in jail at Stratford. His companion, Judith Lynne Harris, 1607 Huron street, London was released and placed on suspended sentence for one year. The thefts took place in Winnipeg Manitoba, The two were apprehended by Constable Alex Balazs Firday evening when he checked with authorities on •a car bearing Manitoba licence plates which was driving aratirld toWii, The identification and credit cards were stolen from Mrs, Karin McNair, 229 Kearney Street, Winnipeg, when she was shopping at Eaton's in Winnipeg, March 29, Fire cause investigated Agranove, Robert Fuller, Peter Butler and William Chizmar. The London investment group holds 50 percent interest in the new company. The other 50 percent is held by a management team made Up of employees of the former company. They are: Ted Lane, president; Ray Singer, vice-president marketing; Bela Molnar, vice-president manufacturing; and Doug Sweeney, dealer sales manager. Purchase price was not disclosed but present assets of the area company were valued at more than $2 million. Total staff now is 150 but the new owners plan to triple production and expand staff by 50 percent within a year. The company manufactures fibreglass sail boats for Canadian and export markets. A vacant farm home in the Grand Bend area was destroyed by fire around 6:00 p.m. Sunday. The home was owned by Glen Johnston, London, and was located at lot 19, concession 19, Stephen, Value of the building 'was listed at only $300. Provincial police Are in- vestigating the cause of the fire. AN EASTER EGG TREE — Pupils of a grade five class at Exeter public school perpetuated a custom of Cen- tral and Eastern Europe when they decorated an egg tree for Easter. They glued ribbons, sequins, yarn, costume pearls and pictures to plastic eggs and hung them on the branches of a tree. From the left are Michael Sass, Dale Kerslake, Colleen Waddell and Linda Both. t-A photo L2L 4.62 ^ 2:4i 2