Village Squire, 1980-08, Page 29owned the Huron Construction Company which was contracted
to build the railroad - a contravention of the Railway Act.
Another report stated that Moyes had opened eight bank
accounts, five in Toronto and three in Goderich. The findings
from the hearings were that John W. Moyes had organized the
railway company on fraudulent grounds.
In the years from 1912 to 1938, $520,000 in interest had been
paid by the municipalities. When added to the principal of
$400,000. a total cost of $920,000. resulted. It's understatement
to say that this was a considerable outlay for a railway that was
never completed. For Ashfield to recoup $6,250. each year, a
special levy was added to the taxes of those in the Western
division, called the Railway Tax, which was paid off in the early
1940's. In 1943, Ashfield Council agreed to accept $100. per acre
for the right of way of the Railway when Highway #21 was being
widened.
M31 AIR NAVIGATION SCHOOL
In the months of May and June 1940, Port Albert was destined
for new things, as approximately 400 acres of land was
purchased for an air navigator's airport. This was to be the only
English school in Canada, operated by England and also the only
airport in Canada to operate 3 shi fts including night flying. This
site was chosen because the land was level, the lake was close by
for forced landings and the Nine Mile River, the southerly
boundary was useful in the disposal of sewage.
A contract was let to erect 29 buildings, including six airmen's
quarters, each housing 136 men, supply depot, a large canteen
which fed 720 men at one sitting and officers' quarters,
recreation hall and drill hall, plus four large hangars and a
ground instruction school.
ALL TRADES WORKED 24 HOURS A DAY
At the peak of construction, some 400 civilian workers were
involved in all phases. As time was precious, all trades worked
24 hours a day to complete the buildings and runways by late
October when the first 200 men of the R.A.F. arrived by special
train to Goderich, destined for Port Albert Airport Navigation
School.
Plans called for the graduation of 2000 men per month. The
airplanes used for training were 56 Avro Anson bombers. Seven
or eight crashes occurred during the period of training from late
1940 to the spring of 1945 when the war was over.
In October 1946, the land and hangars were used for the
International Ploughing Match, called "The Victory Match".
After this the War Assets Corporation put the buildings and land
up for sale. Some of the buildings were sold to become land
marks in villages nearby. The Fire Hall became the Agricultural
Hall in Dungannon and the Officers' Mess is now the Lucknow
Legion Hall .
PORT ALBERT TODAY
It is in the spring and summer time that Port Albert again
takes the position of a booming village. Now the river, becausf of
its ability to increase sport fishing opportunities by means of the
fishway, helps to support the new but ever important resource of
recreation.The fishway is basically a water diversion, skirting the
five foot dam that spans the river. Fish heading upstream to
spawn swim to the bottom end of the fishway and are caught and
tagged so the ministry can trace the movement of the fish.
Today besides Petrie's General Store there are two camp
grounds, as well as numerous cottages along the lake front.
There is also a large number of new homes which have been built
in the last ten years and Port Albert can now boast of a
population of around 200 permanent residents.
The future of Port Albert as a viable community depends at
least partially upon the Nine Mile River and Lake Huron as has
been the case since its founding 140 years ago.
For further information concerning the history of Port Albei t
and Dungannon area, a 400 page written and pictorial book
entitled "From Bush Trails to Modern Tales" can be purchased
at Dungannon's 125 Birthday on August 1, 2, 3 and 4.
1
G all thLm.b�
nverzeirArm
the cortcept
All Thumbs is a co-op of local artists who
equally share responsibility in the shop's manage-
ment and operation. Each member spends a
specified number of hours in the shop and will
be able to answer any questions about the work
displayed.
the gzlaIitv
Whether functional or decorative, every
article in the store combines beauty and artistic
integrity assuring our visitors of excellence, yet
at reasonable prices.
cl,.,l-o„ 18.r„
Hwy 83
Gra" d O e, d r
aII that/al:4
un artists' co-operative
397 main st. s., 235-0779 exeter, ont. NOM 150
VILLAGE SOUIRE/AUGUST 1980 PG. 27