The Goderich Signal-Star, 1969-07-31, Page 44 001;0411.1,101 SIGNAL -STAR, THURSDAY„. JULY 31, 1-..69
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" ail printers were cleterinined not to pririt venytking till
they were sure it -would offend no one, here would, be
Benjamin Franklin
very litde printed . . .
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For doubting Thomases
The hubub that arose around town
when Snug Harbour was built was hard to
believe. It was that much harder to
understand why members of council were
' involved. One would think council
members would be in favor of anything
that would improve the town and
.especially if it will bring in some revenue.
Now it is one ,year later. There are still
those on council who like to knock the
Marina for reasons of their own.
Certainly, it cannot be because the marina
has been any kind.of a flop.
At the dos of last season letters and
cards began to arrive in town
complimenting- the tdwn on the marina
and Alex Wilkins ,for the operation of it.
The marina has become known as the best
thee is in these waters an,d one gentleman
who had brought his 65 fogt cruiser 'here
from San Francisco said it 'was the 'best
marina he had come across through the
whole trip, including the Bahama area
which is noted for its marinas.'
Business at the marina has been more
brisk this year than at any other time and
the size of boats calling, and the distance
they are travelling from isgetting greater
all the time. This week boats from as far
away as Nassau were in and the variety of
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craft is also increasing.
The area of the harbor in general is
becoming an attraction and people seem
to migrate toward the small boat
anchorage, perhaps in an effort to pick up
some of the glamor of far away places.
But. then 'boats and water have had a
fascination for man since early times.
It is this fascination for boats that has
- led to the current increase in interest of
boating and wil lead to a greater interest
as the cost of boating comes, more within
the range of the people with a bit less
money. 5
That small craft operation, both sail
and power, will continue to increase in
the next few years can hardly be doubted.
That a marina for Goderich could, fail to
be lucrative should also have been
doubted. The fact that it is a profitable-
• venture answers the doubting Thomases,
both on and off council, in no uncertain
way.
The only thing Oat remains is to plan
for a bigger and better munici01 marina.
Floating docks could be added at right
angles to the main pier of Snug Harbour
making room for many more. boats. A
restaurant and observation,vvalk§'could be
added and would only add to the
attraction of an alreidy attractive area.
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There are some who say council - the
town f sould not compete with private
• business. They say the town has no right
to get involved in private enterprise. But
surely one of the responsibilities of any
municipal council is to save the taxpayers'
money. If they can make a profit for the
taxpayers by investing the money, so
much the better.
As for competing with tprivate
enterprise, the competition right now Is
'with Donald Bert IVIacAdam who has the
tug company and gas pumps across the
channel. The town undoubtedly could
have helped Donald Bert Ly keeping gas
pumps away from,' Snug_Harbour and
Could- haveproVided a isafety factor too.
The boats pulling in could have gassed up
at MacDonald Marine, Donald Bert's
"company, well away from any other small
craft, and then moored in Snug Harbour:
The loss to the town would have been
small by comparison,although there may
have been some inconvenience, to boat
owners arriving in -a bunch.
The town did make a concession to
Donald Bert this year by deeding himsthe
property he occupies, although we
understand the papers have not yet been
drawn up. Perhaps, with this, he will be
able to progress, dress up the building a
• bit and attract some of the business:from
- -the larger pleastkre,boats.
One thing that could help at the. harbor
next year, although it isn't definite yet, is
. that a cruise ship may start operating in
the Great Lakes and could be using
Goderich as one of its stops. In fact, if the
cruise business does start again, Goderich
• will be one of the stops. It could be added
business for Donald Bert; for the
businesses up -town and for the town as a
whole.
The •new company, Linton and Hirst
(Canada) Ltd which will be. starting a one
million dollar manufacturing operation
here this fall might.be sending its product
out. by boat More work for the harbor.
• It will all Mein Goderich will get better
'known. The better -known we get, the
more people will come, and the more
people that come, the more money that
• will be spent in town. Everyone, will
benefit. •
We are not suggesting Snug Harbour
has been the cause of the up -swing in
harbor actiVity, but it has contributed to
the interest in the town, by industry as
well as by small boat operators. So who
can now doubt it has been a good
" investment?
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Litter bugs
There are at least1,200 people who are
very' much aware that it is against the law -
to litter the highways in Ontario. They
• have -paid the fines that p -rove it
These are. the number of fines that
have been handed out over the past three'
Years at' an average of more than 350 per
Year.' •
•. And these don't count the hundreds of
motorists who have gotten away with just
a warning.
The fine for a first offence ranged from
to $50 and fines increase with the
-numb& of •bffences third' time loser
tfr
ESTABLISHED
1111441 Milt %libretti fitgual-'tar. 122nod-f:sfEAR
iTho_Cpunty Town Newspaperof Huron --:0— PUIII.IcATION
• Published at Goderich, Ontario every Thursday morning by
Signal -Star Publishing Limited '
can have, his licenceor permit suspended
for up to 60 days.
If you're a litterbug who has never
been -caught don't get the idea that you -
are gettingaviray with ' anything. As a
taxpayer you still get to pick up part of
the tab for the.cleaning.
Cleaning up Ontario's highways is an
expensive business which in 1968-69
involved an expenditure -of • more than
$970,000 by the Department of
Highways.
Help cut costs by keeping a litter bag
in your car and using it,
ROIERT• G. SHIM
•President and Publisher
- ROHM P, V. PRICE
Managing Editor
EDWARD J. OMNI
• Advertising Soles
Subscription Rates $6 a Year - To U.S.A. $7.60 (in advance)
Second class mail registration nur.rber - 0716
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41. 44,46
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MAITLAND 1211(‘)E1i.
(.1
VIEW
•° Photo by Ron Price
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Remember When ? ? ?
55 YEARS AGO
The ' passenger steamer
Greyhound paid her annual visit
t� Goderich bn Thursday„tying
up at the dock at six o'clock in
the evening. The lake was very
calm for the incoming trip and,
the purser reported a passenger
list of about 300, which w
considered largerihan.ausualt
Hotel Sunset opened for thq
season on Thursday of last week
with a large list of early guests.
Many improvements have been
made about the hotel, among
them being the tennis courts —
two cinder courts and two grass
courts': This improvement will
fill a long -felt want. Improved
grounds for bowling, croquet
and quoits. are also to be found.,
A few minutes- after 12
o'clock on Thursday night
smoke was seen issuing from the
windows over the Star picture
palace. An alarm was sent in, to
which _ the firemen speedily
responded. The fire, which
originated in the operating room
of the theatre, was easily
extinguished. Damage to the
25 -YEARS AGO
Once again the white flag is
flying. from the masthead at the
County Jail. The "house" has
been empty since last Friday,
when the last prisoner was freed,
and the corridors, cell blocks
and cells are being given a
thorough airing. This has been
almost an annual event since the
outbreak of War and the
'depression" in crime set in.
It is announced from Sarnia
that contracts have been
awarded • by -the Ontario
Department of ighways for the
placing of an asphalt gravel
surface on the Blue Water
Highway between Forest and
Grand Bend and between
Bayfield and Goderich.
On and after July 15 No. 12
Elementary Flying Training
School (Sky Harbour) will be
known as R.C.A.F. Holding Unit
No. 102. A group of clerks from
No. 1 Training Command,
Toronto, are now at the airport
and are busy making an
inventory of all equipment prior
to the official handing over by
amount of $ 30 -was -done chiefly__ _ County
by water.'
That the people of Goderich
appreciate the music supplied by
the band of the 33rd regiment
'was plainly evident on Friday,
when the seats in the Square
park were taxed to their
capacity withs those who came
to enjoy the selections.
Training School Limited to the
Crown Assets Corporation, by
whom they are to be sold.
With returns now in sight, the
town or Goderich is still
$50,000 short, and a big effort
will be required in the two
remaining days to make up the
amount.
THAT'S LIFE!
By G. MacLeod Ross
THE MOON BUG SCARE .
Just a Irionthbefore man stepped on -the moon, a book written
by a Harvard ex-inedical studentrwai Chosen by the us: hook Club.
It is called "The Andromeda Strain," and describes what might
happen to earth by foreign germs brought back. However the
scientists approve the precautions taken and it is left to ordinary
mortals, bred on a science fiction diet and a healthy mistrust of
experts to continue to dread the inconceivable,
•THE RIGHT TO -KNOW
Lord Francis Williams speaks with 45 years of enormously varied
experience of the press. In his recent book: "The Right to Know,"
he declares that "Newspapers will continue to be needed on the
ramparts of civilization. It is unlikely that broadcasting can ever
provide a substitute for the press in the constant scrutiny ,ofTniblic
affairs, or take over a good many of the responsibilities that have,
sometimes by intent, sometimes almost by accident, accrued to
newspapers over the years."
THE REPRESENTATIVE GAME
Suggesting suitable representatives for a variety of - trades,
professions and activities resulted in. the following: For bedding
manufacturers, a go-between. For mattress testers, a layman. Gun
smiths require a trouble-shooter. Printers ought to be able to turn
out, the right type. Why should the Seaway spread the good word
when it can leak it through the usual channels? Chiropodists need
footmen. The John Birch Society requires a chief whip. Con3muters
require a Standing committee. Toilet paper Manufacturers could
dignify their trade with a master of the rolls.
CUBE MICROPHONE •
Made of plastic but gurprisingl 'Y realistic. Looks like an ordinary
lump of sugar, but has a transmitting range of 1,000 feet, and is
capable of picking up whispered conversation. Very effective foT
office eavesdropping. Price $112, (Prom an advertisement)
10 YEARS AGO -
About 80 per cent of the
eligible voters in the town„of
Goderich have already signed the
petition bping circulated calling
for a vote on the repeal of the
Canada Temperance • Act,
according to John E. Huckins,
chairman of the Huron Citizens
Legal Control Committee—
Has • the rattler -reached
Goderich?
That's what some residents
have been wondering since a
large snake was killed behind the
shop of Hutchinson Radio &
TV, Huron road, nearly two
months ago.
Construction is to get under
way inrimediately on a. 14 -unit
housing development here. The
plan calls 'for seven
semi-detached units which are to
be built On South street between
Blake and Bennett streets.
'A queenly handshake and a
chat with the prime minister of
Canada were just two highlights
in a trip which Mayor Ernie C.
• Fisher made to • Montreal,
Quebec City and Ottawa.
Since the Tourist Information
Booth, located at Victoria street
and Elgin avenue, ' began
operations June 30th, over 100
information -seeking people from,
various parts of Canada and the
United States have used it
facilities. They have been
looking for everything from
motels with swimming pools, to
the.tratford Festival.
ONE YEAR AGO
Well known Clinton business
men Bob Campbell and Ken
Picket have added the foriner
Larry Aldham's IVIen,'s Shop to
(iron History
Corner
•THE PASSING OF
OLD KNOX CHURCH
Why the worry and lamentations for the burning of old Knox
Church by the gods of fire?.1Did she not stand the wear and tear of -
the elements for fourscore years and ten and then some? Did she not
house the saints and sinners that crossed her threshold to worship
the God of their fathers in the Presbyterian faith? And did'she not
outlive all of the old preachers, elders, Sunday school teachers,
scholars, musicians and the singers of the Psalms of David, and the'
hosts of worshippers that had passed on to rest in the Land l3eyond
- The.•aurningilitsh,up. to_the day ste. met, her dosamTAnd_did she not- --- - -
rise up from the days of her swaddling clothes from the old baby -
frame church to the new- brick church, built in 1858 at a cosPyof
$9,500, in later years remodelled, and pa .% off the map of the town
of Goderich into history with all the earthly glory that decorated
her? — this beautiful old Knox Presbyterian Chureh, one of the
largest and finest in Ontario ouside the cities..
Now in our sorrow for this old home church, don't let us forget
that the God we went to worship there moves in a mysterious way
and causes the rain to fall on the just as well as the unjust. There
were many bright sides of life in the old frame church. My mother
told me she joined it in the 1850's, arid she walked,to it, with many
others, from the old Gavin Hamilton farm, between Loyal and
Carlow, -on the. 8th concession of Colborne, winter and summer,
when the roads were walkable. I myself and -brother David attended
Knox Church in 1874 and '5, when we lived in Goderich, but I don't
remember much about the preachers and congregations of those
times. The preacher I remember best was the Rev. Seivright. I also
remember the Rev. Mr. Fletcher. Years later, in 1892, I bought my
• Marriage license from him in the building now occupied by Harvey • •
Cutt's grocery.
In 1883 I worked for six months on Joseph Morris' farm at
Gairbraid, now owned by Mr. Linklater. Every Sunday morning the
Morris family, hired man included, drove in the family carriage into
morning service in Knox Church. Another heavy -laden family
carriage that attended these morning services was that of John
Stewart, of Benmiller. Sonietimes we boys would walk into evening
service, sit up in the galley surveying the congregation, and watch if
there were any girls there from the country or Saltford that we
might have a , promenade around the Square with after church
without breaking the Sabbath Day. I remember that the Rev. Dr.
Ure was • the preacher:and Nettie Seegmiller the organist. This was
the first pipe orgamt 'ever heard played, and it seemed to carry me
away into another world. " . •
In 1900 I returned frOm Manitoba. My wife, Aggie Bogie, being a
member of Knox Presbyterian Church in Carberry, Manitoba, we
naturally went to Knox Chuth_in Goderich. Pews were rented in
those days — so much a sitting in the main sanctuary; -gallery free.
Mostly young people patronized -the gallery. As there were no
sittings vacant when we arrived, we sat in tlie pew of Mrs. Green's
uncle, R. R. Sallovvs, for about six months. Then we got two sittings..
in the Miss Watson's pew, at $5 per year, where we sat for fifty
years. This pew was next to the door at the Victoria street entrance.
If you look at the last picture taken by Henderson the photographer,
after the chimes presented to- the church by. Thomas Sandy were
installed and the decorating of the interior for the 115th
anniversary, the last service in the church before the fire, you will
notice this pew in the picture with a curtain behind it to keep the
draft off the sitters when the dbor was open. This was a fine old •
seat. 1 had a good view of the worshippers as they ,came in the East
street door, also a good view of the choir as they filed up from the
basement to the choir loft, and the preacher as he entered the pulpit;
and,v-tiest ofall,it was far enough frorn the preacher that he couldn't
thll whethei"yotewere aslee,p_or listening tot, hi serrnon. In this pew
rested both my body and my mind for fifty years.
Now it has, 'often been said by the man in the street, strangers •
who visited the church, and others, that the congregation of this old
Knox Church was stiff and cold to outsiders who crossed its
threshold to worship, unless they were chaperoned by one of the
elders or some of the. congregation dressed in silk,. satin. or
broadcloth. Well, there is an old proverb that says where there is
smoke there must be a little fire. Old • Knox Church may have
inherited this coldness and unfriendliness from the congregations of
its youthful days, as many of them were Canada Company and
Huron County employees of the aristocratic castle from the Old
Land, and most of them had &surname that started with "Mac."
In closing, I miss the old church and the old pew, and the
worshippers I have seen pass in, and pass out, most of them forever.
Some day in the future I may,tell you of some of the many strange
scenes I witnessed from my old pew in Knox Church in fifty years, if
I pm spared by my Creator to do so..
Gavin Hamilton Green
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Goderich, Ontario.
November, 1950.
their holdings with the orange
over having become effective
June 10.
No damage was reported after
the small fire that started at the
rear of Culbert's Bakery on West
street Tuesday morning July 9.
All the speakers, including
defeated Huron candidate
Maitland Edgar, gathered at the
Goderich Liberal post -elections
get together at the Maitland
Country Club . July 4, praiseA
and emphasized the great role
•
young Canadians played in the •
recent elections.
. Signal -Star Publishing
Limited announces the
appointment of Ronald V. P.
Price as managing editor of the
company, effective immediately.
Visitors to the Huron County
Pioneer Museum this summer
will be able to stop for a rest in
thewinwingof
thePioneermuseum. uCm.hapel opened -
last Wednesday in the southeast
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