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The Goderich Signal-Star, 1957-08-22, Page 1oberit • • 1110th Year --No. 4 GODERICH, ONTARIO, THURSDAY, AUGUST 22;. 1957 With the sun shining brig tly, thousands of people lined both sides of the harbor Sunday afternoon to watch the boat races that featured the. Water Sports Day program. In above photo, $. ea -ale six of the powerful outboard speed boats are seen as they roar down the stretch in one of the races. S.S. Photo by RM. Torchlight Skiing At Dusk Finale Of Aqua Club Sho Despite slightly choppy water, members of the Goderich Aqua Club stagpd an entertaining water sports program at Goderich harbor Sunday evening before-- '-'aupaaa 2,000 spectators. The program got under way at 7 p.m., with Bruce MacDonald ug some some neat, trick water skiing. It ccacluded with colorful, torch- light skiing by Bruce and Allan MacDonald, which commenced about 9:10 p.m. Carrying torches in one hand and holding on -to tow- ropes with the ,other, the skiiera made a pretty' picture dashing about the harbor silhouetted again - at the 'grain elevators in the dis- tance at one time and against the evening sky over Lake Huron at another. Announcing the events by loud speaker was George Jenner, who kept up an entertaining, running commentary, interspersed with huinorous remarks. Second item ore the program was a flying saucer stunt by Ron Bushell. A quartette of Aqua Club Aqua Maids made a lovely picture with their manoeuvres. They were Sylvia Skelton, Faye Brereton, Joan Alexander and Martha Jack- son. Another member, Wanda MacDonald, was unable to partici pate due to illness. 0 A brother arts' sister act from Clinton caught the fancy of the crowd. Twelve -year-old John Mac- Donald and his sister, Nina, aged 11, proved to be accomplished skiers despite their tender years. Rapidly improving in her tech- niqu,e, iraye likereters gave .a -display Df hdonr nteofrea' aal as 'volunteers" on e pregrana two young men dress- ed in comic costume proved quite versatile on the ski jump and also. in clown skffig. They turned out to be stars' of the club, Allan and Bruce MacDonald. At tandem skiing, 11 -year-old Nina MacDonald, of Clinton, was perched on the shoulders of Allan MatDonald, of- Goderich, for au entertaining number. Dressed as an -old lady, who wanted to operate a fast motor boat, Ron Bushell got into "dif- ficulties" and tumbled into the water while the boat raced off like a run -away horse. The boat, how- ever, seemed to keep going in ai even circle which was explained - when Sonny Mallough, who had been riding at -the bottom of the boat and steering it from there uenoticed, perked up his head and then re,scued "the old lady." The same "little old lady" did some water ski:rig with skirt S flying high in the wind. Other acts were Bud Williamson in slalom skiing and Bonnie Bedford at straight skiing with her father operating the tow boat. A visitor, Dwight De Mille, of Sarnia, also entertained with a skiing act. Con Baechler was always hand with his crash boat in case Don Cornell, official flag man, instructs Vi Bedford in his art during the boat races held in connection with Water Sports Day at Goderich hatbor. VI, wife of 'Bun ' Bedford, is a member of Goderich Aqua' Club, as is her husband and their daughter. Mr. Cornell hails from London. S.S. Photo by R.H. of any accident which, fortunately did not occur. During the pilogram the Bricol- doc arrived at the harbor from the Lakehead with a cargo of grain. The program was held up a bit as sir steamed to the docks with her crew all looking in amazement at the ,unusual sight .of so people at at the harbor. As a greet- ing, the Bricoldoc sounded her whistle while spectators cheered back and babies in arms burst out crying, apparently unused to such a liaise. ' It was a good all-round show and the basis of better things to come in the annual presentations of the Aqua Club ki the years that lie ahead. 0 0 0 Boat Races Watched By 4,000 Thousands of people lined the docks at the harbor Sunday after- noon and evening to watch the third annual Water Sports Day pro- gram presented by Goderich Aqua Club and Godertsch Liceis Club. Boat races held the spotlight in the afternoon. Around 30 power- ful outboard speed boats roared across the harbor waters in a series of -races. Though the weather was ideal from a spectator viewpoint, the water was just a little rough in spots for the hurtling hydros. -Under ideal conditions, some of the little speedsters are capable, of 70 mph. "The day was very successful from everyone's standpoint," com- molted G. Glen Gardiner, prest- dent of the Lions Club. A director of the Aqua Club said that the sponsoring clubs did "very well" financially on the Water Sports Day program. . Plan Expansion Proceeds of the day will go to- ward recreation and welfare work in Goderich. The Aqua Club hopes to buy a new Motor for its boat and add other equipment with a view to expanding its membership. "Nip" Whetstone was chairman -for the day. Directors of the Aqua Club are Bruce MacDonald, Allan MacDonald, Ron Busbell, Beth Anstay and Mrs. Allan .MacDonald. London drivers captured three first places 11 the boat races which were viewed by nearly 4,000 spec- tators. A number of persons even climbed up on top of some 'nearby freight cans to find a vantage point from which to watch the events. Entries for the boat races, sanc- tioned by the Ontario Boating Fed eration, came from Islidon, Tor- onto, Hamilton, Niagara Falls and other points in Ontario and New York. Some of the )oats compet- ed in more than one event. Each race was a three -lap affair, except for the unlimited event which went five laps. It was a safe bet that some of the drivers would be reachaig for the liniment right after the races. At times, they were bounced around considerably as the snort- ing hydros fought for position. Bill Cowell, a Toronto driver, suffered a nasty cut on one arm when he was changing a propeller. Another Toronto driver, Ted Lob - law, wds thrown from his boat but swam to safety. a Ken Lewis, of London, topped the unlimited class. Most of the officials supervising the races were from London. DELAYE[0, I A technical difficulty in get- ting the O.K. on a re -arrang- ed right-of-way at the rear of the proposed new F. W. Wool- worth building on the Square is delaying the start on con- struction -of the quarter mil- lion dollar structure. DE FAIR SETS REPORT 6,000 PAY AT GATES Sub$COPtion " ci'444" 41°D•s") u.o, 64.0O Single Copies 7e Hire Engineers To Solve Puzzle Of Arena Floor Town Council intends to get to the bottom of the arena floor problem. And the best way to do it, Coun- cil decided at a special meeting last week, is to have a firm of con.sultaig engineers investigate the situation and make recommend- ations. - Earlier this year, Gordon Ban- nister, chairman Goderich Re- creation and Arena Committee, warned Council that he didn't Ufa -1k the floor 'would last another winter. a Apparently due to faulty drain- age, the floor has heaved up. Last year there were nine cracks; this year there are 29, 'Mr. Bannister told Council. At the special meeting, Council decided to retain James F. *ae- Laren Associates, of Toronto, to make a survey. The engineerkig firm vain -a -eel( the drainage Laid make recommendations on what should be done. A representative -of the firm has already made an informal inspec- tion of the arena problem,- Council was told. On the basis of this visit, the firm recommended a more ex- tensive survey. Cost Of Survey The cost of the survey should not exceed $300, said the firm in a letter to Council, but °there will be certain additional expenseksuch as travelling. expenses, accommod- ation and other out-of-pocket ex- penses. It cost nearly $14,000 to put the floor in when the arena was built. It is hoped that the engineens can remedy the drainage problem so that a new floor will not be neces- .sary. Roy Meriam, town foreman, dis- cussed the floor situation with Council at tile special meeting. Most of the drainage tile under the floor seem to be plugged, he said. There are a number of broken, tiles under the floor. Coun- eillor Joseph Allaire said there is reason to believe that these were broken- by trucks which beaked over them with loads of -sand when the arena was being built. Another theory about the arena problem is that quicksand clogs the drains so that water pressure builds up and causes the floor to budge and crack. To Swim Lake? A former resident of Gode- rich is poised at Youngstown, New York, waiting for mina water before making an at- tempt to swim across. Lake Ontario, The 32, mile swim would end at Toronto. The man is Arthur Peel, 26, who operated the Crystal Club at Dunlop about a year ago and who also lived in Goderieh while employed on a lake boat sailing out of Gaderich. Later, he wait to St. Marys where he was a police constable. 0 -.sea Approve Bylaw Re Serviced Lots A by-law to facilitate a land as- sembly plan was approved by Toviis Council last week. As reported in the Signal -Star two weeks ago, Council had agreed to pay Mrs. Rose Willis $10,000 for her pro- perty on South street, near GDCI. The decision does not mean that a full-scale housing project will be starting. does mean that 22 fullyveerviced lots, near schools, will 'be made available to individ- uals wishing to build their own homes. Briefly, the town installs ser- vices and then sells the subdivi- sion to a government agency for $18,100. This should cover the cost of acquiring the land from atj.icjai4.; Main Cause it is expecte-d that individual j building lots will thoi be offered for sale to --the public.,144 Central - Mrs. Willis and putting in services. Mortgage & Housing Corporation. Airman, 18, Drowns Besides the 'Willis property, the subdivision- - includes considerable land which had already belonged to the town. An inexperienced swiMmer brought Blaquiere to the -surface, At the Council meeting, approval panicked and drowned Sunday not but the drowning man slipped was also given to installation of a under again, Bob Gregory dove in telepfuoie booth to serve persons far from where thousands of to assist. F:nally, Mr. McLean got , living in 'trailers in Harbor rark. people were watching the Water Blaquiere into, Joe Murphy's boat. Council -was invited to attend the Sports Day show at Goderich har- The boat carried them around to. official- opening of the new Bethel bor. • the offices of MacDonald Marine. Pentecostal Tabernacle on Sunday, The victim, AC1 Marius Blaqu- There the airman was lifted onto September 1. It was decided to iere, 18, of Clinton RCAF Station, the pier and artificial respiration advise the church that as many got :eito difficulty when he dived was started. One of the first on members of .Council as possible off the south pier into 10 or 12 the scene was Miss Joan Fitz- would attioid.. feet of water. patrick, a nurse. , But a report that' he drowned Among these who Wok turns ap- .., because he and a companion cried plying artificial respiration were for help in French, instead of Eng- Bruno Lapaine, Bob Gregory, Bill lish, was termed an exaggeration Robinson, George Jenner ,and by police 'and by the man who first Robert Fitch_ Members of the lire raised the alarm. brigade kept the resuscitator work - Though Blaquiere and Joseph ing while police held back crowds. Brouilette, 18, both broke into ex- No Inquest cited Trench when Blaquiere got Constable Martin Horan, of into difficulty, officials said that Goderich Police Department, con - this did not cause any delay in 'ducted an investigation. Coroner rescue attempts. There was no Dr. N. C. Jackson was called, but mistaking the tone of alarm in there will be no inquest. their voices, eves' though they Dr. J. R. Leitch was also in at - shouted in French, said witnesses. tendance at the scene. Bill Ross, of Gotierich, who was Dr. Watters said that the cause walking along the pier, raised the of death was drowning. There were alarm. The uncuitscious airman no bruise.s or signs to indicate that was brought out or the water by the cause of death was anything John B. McLean, of Clinton RCAF else. Station, after Blaquiere had been It had been sug ,2d that pos- under for five or six minutes. sibly the fact that the swimmers After citizens and firemen, using were chattering in French may a resuscitator, worked for an hour have resulted in' a delay in resen- t() revive him, he was pronouiced ing Blaquiere because nearby pet - dead by Dr. W. N. Watters. Arti- sons could not understand what ficial respiration was continued for was being said. However, Mr. about half an hour longer before , Ross said he doubted if this!, was the body was removed by Stiles a factor as he had no difficulty in ambulance. recognizaig the tone of alarm in The young airman was a native their voices. of St. Francois D'Assise, Quebec. Constable Horan said it appear - Apparently he and some com- ed that Blaquiere was not a par- panions had ahem diving off the ticularly good swimmer, nor was board which runs out from the his compaition, Brouilette. pier. Mr. Ross said that he was John McLean, the Clinton air - some distance away when he heard man who brought the body out of them chatteting in French. When the water, was not in the same the voices took on a tone of alarm, i party as Blaquiere and he did not he looked around to see one swim- even know the drowning victim, tiler waving an arm card pointing esaid police. toward the water. I Marius Blaquiere would have Shouted For Help- ben in the RCAF for exactly one Realizing that someone was in year if he had lived until Friday trouble, Mr. Ross shouted for help He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. and ran along the pier to find a life Louis Blaquiere, of St. Francois preserver, He told Bob Gregory D'Assise, a village near Matepedia, and Bruno Lapaine and they went Quebec. to the scene. The body was removed from Mr. Rbss succeeded :11 locating Stilesfuneral home on Mniday and a life preserver and threw it in sent to the victim's home. F,O. Then he ran back to a phone and Demers, a friend of the dead youth, called a doctor. Jim Reed phoned went along as official RCAF escort. police and called the fire brigade. ,'Funeral will probably be held By this time, Mr. McLean had Friday. Big Hydro Improvement Program Planned By PUC Street -light log additions, construction .of a half -mile of power line to serve the new plant of Dominion Rock Salt Company Limited, relocation of a atibstation, and normal improvements and extensions to the electrical distribution system are included in a major Hydro program to be under- taken by Goderich Public Util- ities Commission, R. G. John- ston, the chairman, announced eel ay. ,He stated that the $0,000 expenditure, which has been approved by Ontario flardro for this work, will be financed from 'available funds, an that permission has been given for the staff of the Provincial Commission to assist the local utility, in the construetion of the line to the salt company. on the understanclaig that all costs SO inered will be borne by Goderieh P.U.C. Commenting on the pro- gram, Mr. Johnston .said that it .would help the Wel Com- mission to provide improved setwice and, at the same time, meet the growing needs of the community. Such undertakings are part of a long-range expansion pro grain currently underway in the Province to provide more efficient service for both urban and rural Hydro customers who are depending more and more upon electrieity for a a wide range of conveniences. , SNUG HARBOR NOW BEING OVERHAULED'AND ENLARGED Excavating work on Snug Harbor is in full swing as the hide -away for smallen craft is larged to take care of cabin cruisers. too. When completed it will- he 75 feet wide while the water w:Il he consider ably deeper. Thi' earth being taken from Snug Harbir is being thrown hack to build up the road- \ y and park lb., will run along - „He of Snug Harbor Financial Picture Good StatesFair Treasurer "Ott was s the biggest and best yet!" That's how o &as describe the to fourth annual Goderich Trade Fair, which closed Saturday night after a four -clay run at the arena and Agricultural Park. Treasurer Keith Cutt stated that total paid attendance reached 6,000—a figure slightly in excess of the town's total population. In addition, hundreds of children were admitted free during the four-day show, 'which was spon- sored by Goderich Kinsmen Club. Financially, the picture "looks good,” said Mr. Cutt. He said he could not quote actual figures yet since all bills have not been re- ceived. The club made "a little money" on the bag draw held in connection with the fair, one official stated. The draw was for $1,000 or $100 monthly for 12 months. Starting out with a„..Wild West_ parade 'staged Wednesday evening by children of Judith Gooderham Memorial Park, the fair wound up Saturday night with an entertain- ing stage show and a fireworks display. Ken Per.nington, chairman of the fair .,rammittee, expressed him- self as very \veil satisfied with re- sults. He praised the untiring efforts put forth by Members of his committee. Agricultural_ Show? —A-Sked to JOrnment-Ori talk aT59111; combining the annual trade fair with an agricultural show, Mr. Pennington laidicated that he felt , such a suggestion might be a little premature. The problem of secur- ing space for all the agricultural exhibits would have to be tackled first, he ,said. All display booths in the arena were filled this year and there were numerous other displays of moto:- Vehicles.and farm machinery inside \tie racing oval in Agricah I tural Park. The midway, which was ccoisiderably larger this year,,4 Wa al -o ilocated inside the racing oval. From the standpoint of attend- ance. the best nights were WeCtieS- da,.: and Saturday nights. The largest afternoon attendance was on Frlday, "Children's Day," when all midway rides were reduced to five cents. Wild West Parade A large number of citizens lin«I the streets We( 'isday when scores of cnstumdd chIldren Nradea loit Judith Gooderham Park to the fair. Lcd by Goderich Pipe Band, the yAing•ters. dressed as Indians and cowboys, whooped it up all the way. One of the entries in the -parade was a donkey ridden by Fred llsraels. Mayor J. H. Graham was at the front of the parade in a convertible. Later, in Agricultural Park, he had a pow -wow with the young Indians, then buried the hatchet with a few official remarks. The parade was arranged by Ted Williams, recreation director, Au - leen Fisher, playground supervisor„ and 'the playground staff. About 600 persons paid for grandstand seats to watch Saturday night's stage show, which was of a calibre that would do redit to many communities that are far larger than Goderich. aaa° Professional entertainers pre- sented some fast -paced acts that made the crowd forget the coolness of the evening. But the show was nearly stolen by Joey MacDonald, a six-year-old Highland laddie from -Goderichae Joey, son of Mr. and Mrs. J. al. MacDonald, played three selections on the bagpipes which he acquired only about a mcsith or so ago. He was introduced by Billy Meek, master of ceremonies, as "probably the youngest piper in North Ana - erica." Taught Himself Self-taught, the young lad prac- tised on the chanter for several months before he got the bagpipes._ .can now play at least 2astiffele ent numbers.- The crowd-ariThatiWelerir loud Saturday night as joey, dis- . _ playing the poise of a veteran piper, played "Road To The Isles," "Bonnie Lassie" -lnd "Bonnie Dundee." The Skyliners. a m,u.sical three- 7 some, got things off to - a good start. They were followed by dancers Penny Nichols and Joey Hollingworth. An acrobatic pair called "The Zanies" left everyone in good humor. Following the stage show, there was a display of fireworks. Mem- bers of the town's fire d,epartmeint looked after this part of the pro gram. Members of the trade fair com- mittee, besides Ken Pciningtcon and Keith Cutt, were: Len McGee, secretary; Ken Miller and Jack Frith, publicity; II. .B. Such and, Stan Yeungblut, booth sales; Jack Marriott. Stage shote and fireworks; Frank Skelton and Hill Wilson,' midway, Gordon Bar Iliter. booth construction; Bruce Clifford. per. sonnet, and Bert Worsell. drawa They were assisted by numerouF other club members_ These ladies, seen in the Kitretic booth at Gode- rich Trade Fair, had a bus- time hot dogs, soft drinks and chocolate bars to hungiA.,„, and t hi rsty fairgoers. Left to ri 1 arc': 'William Wilson, Mrs_ Verne Harley, Mrs. Charles Larder, Mrs. Ernest McLeod Such. and Mrs. 1-1. B. S.S Photo by 1111 i4L1 Record crowds viewed a record number of shows foir Visitors inapeetiaa laigtha 'r'n one exhibits at the fourth, annual Goderich Trade section a the arena. 'More were olso ruin Fair, which closed Saturday night. Above photo erous outdoor displays. t.a Photo by kit