First baby born in Midland and district in 1955 is a daughter born to Mr. & Mrs. Allen Kirkwood of RR#1 Victoria Harbour. At 8:30 PM Robert Michael Curry son of Mr. & Mrs. William Curry (nee Webster)  was the first born at the Penetang General Hospital.

Some things never change.
Reeve W.H. Keller’s austerity budget took a further beating Thursday night when Midland Council approved a salary increase for administration staff. The frugal budget already battered by wage increases given to police (ordered by an arbitration board), firemen and now public works employees will be holed to the tune of $650.00 more dollars. Prior to the increase “office girls” were earning from $1,600 to $2,400 per year.

Austin T. Johnston head of printing firm dies. Surviving him is his wife the former Eunice Hunter of Midland. A Midland resident for over 60 years Mr. Johnston worked for the Free Press for many years and later the Argus. Later still he established the Advertiser with the late George Osborne and upon his death William Hill became his partner. Hill died suddenly a few years ago and Mr. Johnston’s son William became involved in the firm.

Ads

• “After stock taking sale” at the Beverly Ann Shoppe 287 King Street, phone 987.
• Arthur J. Laley appointed by Filter Queen as District Sales Supervisor
• 20 to 70% off, The Eleithia Shoppe
• Sally Shop (Coast to Coast) King Street, January clearance sale
• Jim Crawford Mens Wear, free pants with tailor made suit
• Midland Motor Sales, used cars and trucks, Joseph Beausoleil proprietor, Bay Street.
• Beck Co. Ltd, sale on Anthracite Blue Coal (pea size) $21.00 per ton
• Warman Motors Limited, only a few left, tires for snow and ice, $29.50 per pair installed, Bay Street

Ready for another years business, members of Midland Council for 1955 are seen at  the inaugural meeting held in the town offices Monday morning. They were chased out of their usual stand in the council chambers by the weekly police court on this occasion. Seated clockwise are Aldermen Ossie Downer, William Logan, Charles Onley, Mayor Charles Parker, Reeve W.H. Keller, Deputy Reeve Mel Holden and Alderman Clint Smith. Standing, left to right, Re. W.R. Auld, A.A. Ingram, barrister who administered the oath of office and William Hack, clerk-treasurer.

Public Works 15 cent raise not what it seems.
Public Works committee chairman Ald. Clint Smith explained that for over a decade public works staff have been paid 90c per hour for a 48 hour week but only worked 44 giving them an actual wage of 98.2 cents. Now they are being paid $1.05 per hour but for a straight 44 hour week, a less than 7 cent increase. If they work to the maximum of 48 hours they are paid time and half for the extra four hours.

Happy with her new appointment, Miss Joyce Mitchener of Midland , with phone, is chief operator at the new Bell Telephone exchange opened in Port McNicoll Wednesday afternoon. Located in the former bank building at the corner of 2nd St. and 4th Ave., the new 2 position switchboard with five operators replaces the old one position board. With her are Mrs. W.H. Shaw, left, the former agent and still employed as an operator and Mrs. A.D. Currie, Toronto, district instructor.

News Items

• Construction hits all time high, 1954 permits total $1,339,725.00
• Combined total press run for the Wednesday Free Press Herald and the Friday County Herald has stood in excess of 10,000 copies for some time.
• Largest turnout of voters in Tiny Twp history saw Arthur Downer unseat Reeve Montcalm Maurice
• Tiny Municipal Telephone System hit by ice storm near Randolph
• Early enrollment in Marine classes indicates a banner year
• Delay in engineering reason for delay in Trans Canada Highway grading north of Port Severn states Lloyd Letherby MLA.
• Choice Sites Still Available – Cottage sites north of Port Severn still available but drive to locations sold out, apply at the Lands & Forest office in Coldwater. Mainland parcels are 60 cents/ft frontage, islands from 1/2 to 3 acres are $100.00 per acre.