The Huron Expositor, 1984-07-18, Page 21NEWS AND FEATURES
DRIVER KILLED—William Avers of Kit-
chener died when the van he was driving
rolled on Highway N8, west of Dublin last
Wednesday. Mr. Avers was thrown about 100
feet from the van. Sebringvllle OPP said they
can only speculate at the cause of the single
To the Editor
Capital punishment
could kill the innocent
There's been quite a lot of talk lately
about bringing back capital punishment.
i remember when there was a vote taken
in parliament on the issue several years
ago. John Diefenbaker voted against it. He
said he had seen a man hung who was as
innocent as you or L People asked. "How
do you know he was innocent?" And he
said that a year or two later after a man was
hung, another man admitted to the murder
on his death bed.
In 1915 1 was living about 40 miles from
Prince Albert, Saskatchewan at that time
when this man was hung. He was a
married man from Saskatoon with a young
family. It was the talk of the whole country.
I would like to tell you something leading
up to the murder,
Some young lads had taken up a
homestead a couple of miles off the main
road and were over working on it when
some mail came to'thetaln-connection with
their homestead. Their sister Sadie agreed
to take it over. She had to walk a mile or
two down the road before turning off on a
trail the last couple of miles to her
brother's.
While on the highway, along came a man
driving a pinto horse and buggy and
offered her a ride which she accepted.
When she didn't return home, her parents
thought she was keeping house for her
brothers. But she never got to her
brothers.
Someone had seen her riding with this
man with the ,pinto horse. He was soon
found.
He was a traveling salesman from
Saskatoon, was arrested and brought to
Prince Rupert by train. When the train
came in 100 people were at the station and
tried to tear him to pieces. They had to put
on special guards to hold the crowd back.
. It was a very speedy trial, one that Mr.
Diefenbaker sat on. I don't think it was
much more than a week until the man was
hung.
When asked if he had anything to say, he
just said, "You are hanging an innocent
man." '
The girl's body was not found for some
time until a woman with a dog was picking
berries.
After about three years a man lay dying.
He admitted killing Sadie.
As Mr. Diefenbaker said, this man by
the name of Robison was just as innocent
as you or 1.
I believe in capital punishment but not in
circumstantial evidence. 1 know of two
more who wore hung, Afterwards one was
proven innocent and the other was
doubtful.
The people who condemned those men
were the real murderers.
ELECTIONS/FROM PAGE ONE
John L. Reid
Seaforth
office according to a schedule of fees.
ABOUT 45,000 VOTERS
"There are approximately 300 electors in
the average polling subdivision," says Mr.
Bolton. Altogether in Huron -Bruce he
expects around 45,000 eligible voters. In the
last election there were 46,322 voters, of
which 75 per cent actually voted. Mr. Bolton
says this percentage is average for Canada.
This election will be the second time that
notice of enumeration cards will he sent to
both rural and urban voters. Before 1980. all
urban households received a voters' list, and
rural lists were posted on a tree or hydro pole.
says Mr. Bolton. The new cards tell voters
"the number and location of polling stations.
the dates and location of the advance poll,
and the location of this (elections) office."
He says the cards are not identification
cards for voting purposes, and that people
need to he on the voting lists to be able to
vote. In Goderich, he says, if you are not on
the list you will not be allowed to vote. but
rural voters can still be registered at the
polling booth if they present themselves with
appropriate witnesses.
The last date for revisions on the voters' list
is Wednesday, Aug. 15 in rural areas, and
Friday, Aug. 17 in urban areas,
STAFF OF FOUR
The Returning Office has a staff of four
working at the present time. including Mr.
Bolton, they are Bill Hodgert, election clerk,
Vanda McNeil, and Jane Rimmer. Mr. Bolton
says the staff will get as high as 15 to 20
people when they start addressing t'he 40,000
cards that have to go to the voters.
Preliminary voters' lists will be made up by
Aug. 1 or 4.
Mr. Bolton was appointed as Returning
Officer a week after the last federal election
was called. The nomination was made by the
party in power in the riding, end approved by
Cabinet. Once appointed, the Returning
Officer keeps the post for all federal elections
until the riding boundaries are redistributed
or the name is changed.
When he is not working as Returning
Officer, Mr. Bolton operates his seed
business and farm at RR 1 Dublin.
MEMORIES/FfOM PAGE ONE
vehicle accident. The Seaforth PUC replaced
a light standard which was hit by the van.
(Wasslnkphoto)
one of these air raids that the first •115
casuatti was killed by flying shrapnel
"It "as hard. hut you still had your ,;o„d
times," sacs Mrs. Bannon. Trips hark to
Britain noir remind her of both the hail and
the good times She says you can still sec
some of the craters made by the bombs, she
has seen one which a man has made mto a
duck pond And some of the corrugated iron
sheds, called Nissen huts, where she Iii ed for
three years are still standing: one has even
been converted into a home.
One of the better times surely must he
when she met a young Canadian soldier. who
was fighting with the First Canadian Army.
while they were both on leave in Glasgow.
She first met Peter Bannon during a Glasgow
blackout, and they were married there in
July. 1445 after the fighting in Europe was
over.
HOMESICK
Exactly one year later. Mr. and Mrs.
Bannon arrived in Canada. and came to
Seaforth where they have lived ever since. "l
was homesick for quite a long time," says
Mrs. Bannon. "1 was here 12 years before 1
went hack to Scotland for the first time."
It took a long time to get used to living in a
small town, especially after growing up in a
city, in a different country where people can
barely understand you when you speak. But
Mrs. Bannon did get used to it, and now she
says she would never live in Scotland again.
although she does like to visit it often.
it was only last fall that she began to get
interested in the idea of a reunion with her old
friends. when a woman phoned from Toronto
asking for information for a book she was
writing about women who fought in thc war.
Mrs Bannon began making her own
inquiries, and asked her brother in England
to put advertisements in different papers
asking for former members of the Battery 505
to contact her in Canada.
Mrs. Worsnop was the only one to reply.
and Mrs. Bannon thinks now she should have
advertised in Scotland as well. There were
many Scottish women who went to England
during the war.
When she was visiting Mrs. Worsnop in
Hull, a reporter came to write a story about
the two women. And Mrs. Worsnop also head
an interview on a radio program again asking
for former battery members to contact her.
Mrs. Bannon would still like to see a
reunion of Battery 505. it is difficult for her to
contact even her old friends from the army
because she does not know their married
names, nor where they live.
But 0 was exciting, she says. to meet even
one former member of the Battery. to look
over some of he'r old photographs, and to
share some memories of being a young
woman in the war.
. THE HURON EXPOSITOR, JULY 25, 1904 — A3
Condition of yard concerns Hensall
Property standards committee members
Harold Knight and Paul Neilands, attended
the regular July meeting of Hensall council to
discuss the unsightly condition of the yard
behind the Elizabeth Court Apartments.
The yard has existed in the same untidy
condition for years, and repeated communi-
cation with .the absentee landlord has
produced no results, said reeve Harry
Klungel. Council will initiate action in a
written complaint to the property standards
committee who will investigate the situation
and call on the bylaw enforcement officer to
act if they find the complaint is justified.
TAPES AVAILABLE
Mr. Knight said that eight tapes containing
16 hours of Hensall's Centennial celebrations
are going to be available in Sept. •
Bill Bengough said the help from Tucker -
smith Township during Hensall's celebra-
tions was appreciated. In return, the Hensall
parks board has written the neighboring
municipality offering assistance and the use
of the village's facilities if required when
Tuckersmith celebrates 0s 150th birthday in
1985.
TENDERS NOT ACCEPTED
Neither of the two tenders received for
purchase of Hensall's original horse-drawn.
champion roadgrader was accepted. Dick
Peckham expressed his disappointment at
the low figures which were $126 and $350. He
would like to have the equipment properly
appraised.
Irene Davis said the village should not be
hasty in selling the grader. Jim Robinson and
Cecil Pepper wanted to sell it. Mr: Pepper
Young Pi's pick officers
Kevin Campbell of RR1 Dublin was elected
president of the Huron -Bruce Young Pro-
gressive Conservatives (YPC) at their July 12
annual meeting.
Jan Divpk of Clinton was named vice
president, Carolyn Wood of Clinton is social
director, Kim Campbell was named member-
ship director, Michael Coleman is policy
director and Lynne Haines is the secretary.
The annual meeting was held in Clinton
and theme of the meeting was to foster and
encourage PC youth involvement both in the
riding and in the federal PC Youth
Association.
Guest speaker, Huron -Bruce MP Murray
Cardiff, briefed the YPCs on the important
role young people play in a riding. He said
youth are an important part eV society and
their ideas and concerns should be made
known to the people who affect policy.
Bernie Haines, who attended campaign
school in London, outlined campaign strate-
gies for the upcoming electiom•Sue Lyndon,
Andrew Johnson and Beth Snell, members of
the Oxford County YPC executive were
present to exchange ideas between neighbor-
ing YPC ridings. They also extended an
invitation to Huron -Bruce to join them in their
camp -out at Long Point on Aug. 11.
Any young people, 30 years and under,
who would be interested in "getting
involved" may contact Kevin Campbell at
527-0137 or Jan Divok at 482-3370.
Township gets tax grant
BY WILMA OKE
Tuckersmith Township Council learned at
its regular July meeting that its request to
the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and
Housing for an unconditional grant of
5132,000 has been approved.
Council made the request based on
"unusual circumstances" because of unpaid
taxes on 10 tax registration properties,
including the large red brick building, the
former radar school. Some apartment
buildings were included but they have since
been sold. The grant covers water and
sewage levies as well.
In a news release by Minister Claude
Bennet, he reports: ' My ministry has
completed a review of Tuckersmith's
financial position and has found that
additional financial assistance is warrant-
ed," said Claude Bennett of the Ministry of
Affairs and House. He said the grant will
help keep property tax increases to a
minimum in 1984.
Mr, Bennett said the closing of the
Canadian Forces Base at Clinton resulted in
the township having to write off a number of
property tax arrears and that the grant will
cushion taxpayers from substantial tax
increases this year. "These circumstances
were beyond the control of the municipal
council and were of an unusual and special
nature,"
COUNCIL BRIEFS
Council is holding a special in -camera
meeting to discuss the 1984 budget and
establish the tax rate for the year.
Council chose the sesquicentennial pin to
mark the township's 150th birthday next
year. it is an oval pin in white, green and
gold, with an outline map of Tuckersmith
centred on the pin with a plow inset. It will
go on sale later this fall.
Council approved a request for the Van
Fgmond Foundation to hold its annual
CSderfest on Sept. 30.
Clerk Jack McLachlan was authorized to
attend the annual Municipal Financial
Committee conference in London on Sept.
26-28.
Union Gas will be holding a public
meeting at Vanastra on Aug. 16 in
preparation to starting construction in late
Aug. of a gas line to supply the hamlet with
natural gas. It will be , cojnpleted by tateG
Sept. In addition the firm' will "fieliyet
pamphlets to each household. ••
Three ratepayers attended the meetine for
the reading of the engineers report on the
Charters Drainage System --Robert Mc-
Naughton, William Charters and Jim
Cooper. Court of Revision will be held on
Aug. 21, and tenders will be advertised for
the construction work.
Frank Falconer, Tuckersmith representa-
tive on the Huron County School Board,
attended the meeting to express his concern
about the future of the Vanastra Public
School. Council will ask the school board to
supply it with copies of any correspondence
it will receive from the Ministry or other
sources in the coming weeks so that council
can be kept informed.
A request for 57,200 tile drainage loan was
approved.
Council will pay for a request from Archie
Robertson, RR4, Seaforth, for $350 for
chickens destroyed by dogs,running at large.
Council will advertise its intention to
designate the stone gates at the original
entrance to the former Canadian Air Force
Base off Highway No. 4. The entrance road
has long been closed and new entrances to
Vanastra have been opened or emphasized
along the sideroad especially. The stone
gates are in need of repair work.
The meeting was adjourned at 12:45
Wednesday morning.
LOOKING OVER old photographs from her
war days In England 19 Margaret Bannon of
Seaforth. Mrs. Bannon recently had a
reunion with a woman In England who was in
the same Battery as she was during World
War 1I. Mrs. Bannon worked for three years
on an antl-aircraft gun sight In Southampton.
(Kloeze photo)
1
mentioned the problem of storing it, and
asked what would be done with it in the
future.
Mr. Neilands left the meeting -before
council began discussing the topic, but he
had said the grader was unique. In museums
he visited from Quebec west, he has seen only
one other like 0. He offered to restore it to its
original horse-drawn status if council would
supply the materials and the grader could be
used in the next Spring Fair parade,
Reeve' Klungel voted in favor of keeping
the grader fot the present time. He
half -seriously suggested the restored antique
could be installed on the village's property
fronting Highway #4, near the Hensall sign.
Mr. Robinson said the grader could b : placed
on the reeve's lawn, where "the old folk
across -the road who remembered it could see
it".
COUNCIL BRIEFS
Before disposing of the Allis Chalmers
tractor which was purchased second-hand in
1948 by the village, the Reeve will talk to the
PUC.
Hensall is offering 500 square feet of
left -over salmon -colored interlocking brick
for. sale, -
Building superintendent Herman Van
Wieren reported slow progress on the
addition to the Queensway nursing home.
Other building activity is about the same as
last year.
Irene Davis congratulated John Baker,
hired as works superintendent in June, for
the "excellent job in every department".
Council agreed in principle to a request
from John Ward to erect o tower and a dish at
the west .aide of the present works garage,
with access to a control area within the town
hall, as a necessary step in supplying cable
TV to the village. No action will be taken until
a draft plan is received from the cable
company'r3 lawyer.
Clerk Betty Oke was instructed to write a
letter to the Centennial steering committee
congratulating them for preparing a Centen•
nial, "that will live in the minds and hearts of
children for the rest of their lives".
The Hensall parks board committee met in
July. Patricia Harwood was offered a
temporary position for eight months begin-
ning Sept. 1 so she can obtain her arena
management certificate. Residence in Hen-
sall was recommended.
Ice rental fees have been boosted by $2.50
per hour with the exception of Saturday minor
hockey and/or figure skating. Auditorium
rates were also increased by $10 effective
July 1. Existing contracts will be honored at
the old rate of $170 on Fridays and $195 on
Saturdays until Dec. 31.
The Hensall development committee held
its inaugural meeting on May 10, electing
Dick Packham chairman and Inge Mowat
secretary. The committee was given some
general guidelines by Huron County cbief
planner Gary Davidson. Public meetings will
be called from time to time to keep the public
informed. The committee agreed to meet the
second Thursday of each month.
THE RETURNINd OFFICER of the riding of
Huron -Bruce Is Arthur Bolton of R.R. 1
Dublin. His Job Is to see that the federal
election runs as smoothly as possible, and to
make sure that everyone eligible has the
opportunity to vote. Ells office is located on
Main St. In Seaforth. (Kloeze photo)
McKillop gets planning grant
A community planning study grant of
$12.251 has been awarded to the County of
Huron on behalf of the Township of
McKillop.
The grant will be used to prepare a
secondary plan for the municipality, using
the services of the Huron County Planning
Department.
Community planning study grants are
designed to encourage municipalities to
resolve land use planning issues to reflect
municipal and economicriorities.
They may also be used for special studies to
develop community improvement policies. to
determine the feasibility of using data
processing technology in;thc local planning
process and to assist in implementing the
Planning Act.
SEU and board settle.
The Huron County Board of Education and
its custodians have both ratified a collective
agreement.
The average hourly rate under the new
collective agreement is $8.99. The agree-
ment, including increment and fringe
benefit costs. represents an increase of
about five per cent. There were no changes
in fringe benefits.
"This set of negotiations. although not
easy. represents a co-operative recognition
of today's economic climate. The inclusion of
the increment within the five per cent
complies with the ui0atton restraint legisla-
tion, " states a press release issued by the
school board.
The agreement starts on .lune 1 and ends
on May 31, 1985. The custodians are
represented by thc Sen ice Employees'
Union, Local 210,
The board has also ratified its agreement
with the secretaries' unitan represented by
Canadian Union of Public Employees
(CUPE). No details arc asailable as the
union local has not yet ratified the
agreement.
COMMUNITY CALENDAR
Wednesday, July 25
12-1 p.m. Business Swim Saturday, July 28
1:30-4 & 6-8:30 Public Swim 1-4:30 & b-8:30 Public
5-6 p.m. Family Swim Jr. Farmer Slo-Pitch
7 p.m. Creamery vs Mainstreet, Lions Park
Park.
8:30 p.m. Topnotch vs Villagers, Lions
Park.
6:30 p.m. St. Marys vs Tykes, Optimist
Park.
6:30 p.m. . Bclmore vs Mite Boys at
Winthrop Ball Park
8 p.m. • Brussels vs Bantam Girls at
Winthrop Ball Park
Thursday, July- 26
12-1 p.m. Business Swim
1:30-4 & 6-8:30 Public Swim
5-6 p.m. Family Swim
6:30 p.m. Girls House League, Lions
Park.
8:30 p.m. Jr. Farmers Slo-Pitch game,
Lions Park.
7:30 p.m. Nationals vs Queens Cavaliers
8:30 p.m. Boiler Makers vs Beechwood
Devils.
%30 p.m. Bernit Boars vs Brewers,
The Tuesday and Thursday morning
fitness classes at the Orange Hall resume
on July 24, and 26 at 9:30 a.m. Exercise
safely and comfortably. Everyone is
welcome.
Friday, July 27
12.1 p.m. Business Swim
1:30-4 & 6-8:30 Public Swim
5-6 p.m. Family Swim
8-10:30 p.m. Roller skating at arena
6:30 p.m. Exeter vs Bantams, Optimist
Park
7 p.m, Jr. Farmer S10 -Pitch Tourney,
Lion's Park.
1
Swim
Tourney,
Lions
Sunday, July 29
1.4:30 & 6-8:30.Public Swim
2 p.m. Belgrave vs Bantam Girls,
Optimist Park.
7 p.m. Mainstreet vs Topnotch. Lions
Park.
8:30 p.m. Creamery vs Queens. Lion's
Park
Monday, July 30
12-1 p.m. Business Swim
1:30-4 & 6-8:30 p.m. Puhlic Swim
5-6 p.m. Family Swim
6:30 p.m. Red Sox vs Tigers. Lions Park.
7:4Sp.m. Blue Jays vs Expos, Lions Park.
7 p.m. Queens vs Bears. at Optimist Park
8:30 p.m. Turf vs Creamery at Optimist
Park
Tuesday, July 31
12.1 p.m. Business Swim
1:30-4 & 6-8:30 p.m. Public Swim
5-6 p.m. Family Swim
Space for fbe Community Calendar
is donated by The Huron Expositor
1