The photos found in this blog post are the property of Huronia Museum, Midland, Ontario. Any reproduction for commercial use without permission is prohibited.  Any other distribution must credit Huronia Museum.  Please contact the museum with any questions you may have.  

Click on photos to enlargeTenth annual conference of Region 9 of the Business of Professional Women’s Clubs of Ontario saw some 80 delegates “sign in” at Midland’s Georgian Hotel on the weekend. Left to right, are Mrs. Robert Hoffland, Mrs. Hugh Riesberry, Miss Shirley Ruby, Miss Jessie Bathgate and Mrs. R. McGrattan. All but Miss Bathgate, who comes from Simcoe, are members of the host Midland club. 

Friday was a historic day in Midland, marking the end of 80 years of steam on railroads serving the town. Here Conductor George Nicklee, right, signs register at the freight office prior to the departure of last steam train, on that line. Watching are Midland agent Harvey White, left, and Cy Ney, chief clerk. Starting Monday, diesel locomotives started to pull all trains into Midland; on both CNR and CPR lines.

 

This CPR engine 3632, was the last steam locomotive to pull a train out of Midland when it departed Friday afternoon. On hand to mark the end of an era were, left to right, W. H. Biggar former agent at Midland and Port McNicoll, Bud Taylor, Art Lumsden, conductor George Nicklee, R. B. Dockray, Cy Ney, Harold Jamieson, Midland agent Harvey White, Ray Asselin and Eric Heels. In the cab are fireman Chas St Amant, left, and engineer Doug McNabb. 

With the end of the steam era in Midland on the weekend, in future all trains, both CNR and CPR, will be pulled by unromantic-looking diesels. Here, four CNR diesels pull a long line of empties (they stretch out of sight). CPR trestle at Port McNicoll provided a good vantage point for this shot. 

Guides and Brownies in this district are staging their annual cookie sale this week. Here Donna Brophy of 1st Penetang Brownie Pack and Marie McLaughlin of 2nd Midland Guide Company make a sale to Mrs. Tom McCullough of Midland. Edwards Specialty Shop in Midland is featuring a display in the front of the store, promoting the cookie sale. 

This machine, being operated by Bud Todd in the Webb Manufacturing and Sales plant at Victoria Harbour is called simply enough a broom-making machine. However, making brooms isn’t all that simple. There are a number of processes that must be carried out carefully before the finished article is ready for market. 

One of the last operations in the making of a broom is the stitching, here being done by Ken Webb, co-owner with his father Capt. C. H. Webb, of Webb Manufacturing and Sales, Victoria Harbour. The company turns out around nine dozen brooms a day. 

Thursday will be a big day for Douglas Brodeur of Victoria Harbour when he journeys to Windsor to appear on the CBC television program Talent Caravan. The 16-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Sib Brodeur, Doug hopes to win recognition with his banjo-ukulele. The Grade 10 pupil at St. Mary’s School in the Harbour won an audition at Barrie recently. 

Photo used on the editorial page with this caption; “Pulling an Elevator’s Leg”. The Murray Bay at the Tiffin elevator.  

New queen of the Canada Steamship Line fleet, the SS Murray Bay is seen at Tiffin elevator, Midland, as she completed her maiden voyage. Said to be capable of holding a million bushels of grain, the Murray Bay had “only” 720,000 bushels aboard this trip.

 Navigation opening is always a big occasion at Port McNicoll, and there was the usual large turnout April 16 when Capt. J. W. Lenckie of the John O. McKellar was presented with the traditional topper. Above, left to right, front row, are Chief Engineer James Henderson, Miss Dorcas McCannell, Toronto, whose father is also a lake captain, Capt. Lenckie, Wiarton, with Carol Crock, 8, of Toronto, and Harbormaster Alex McCullagh; back row, Capt. Alex Campbell of the CPR’s Keewatin, Capt. E. H. Ridd, of the Assiniboia, Reeve Albert Calvert, F. Crock, Toronto, and Cyril Larkin. 

Visiting those in jail and others in mental institutions is all part of the daily routine of a Salvation Army officer. Here Lieut. Wm. Johnston brings a friendly greeting to a prisoner in one of the police cells in Midland. The same afternoon he visited mentally ill persons in the Ontario Hospital, Penetang. 

Late spring break-up is still causing trouble on a number of roads in and out of the urban municipalities. One of the worst spots is on Con. 3, Tay Township about a mile south of Old Fort School, on the north side of a long hill. (This is the Old Fort Road just before you reach the Elliot Side Road, going south, which has now become a very busy 80 KM/H paved shortcut to Midland from the south.) 

‘Hurry, Hurry”, says Norman Launder, centre, as Bob Voorzanger (left) and Blair Shakell pull him along during a relay race as part of the “Star Dust” program at Midland YMCA last week. The boys were in the 8-11 year class. The show drew good crowds both nights. 

On the ground or in the air, the new back tower for the Midland navigation range is an impressive chunk of galvanized steel. It was erected Wednesday at the back of the Midland Public Utilities building on Fourth Street.

Sylvester Sutter’s crane picks up this huge tri-leg tower on which will be mounted new type day and night back markers for the Midland navigation range. Night light features intense narrow beam. Day marker is designed to show up plainly regardless of the position of the sun. 

 

New Midland chiropractor John Taylor stands beside a chart of the human body and a scale model of a section of a human skeleton. Mr. Taylor, who is a graduate of the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College, Toronto, practiced in Oshawa for a year. 

Motorists entering Midland from the west on Highway 12 (Yonge Street) have been more than a little puzzled by the speed signs near the Chamber of Commerce information booth. Department of Highways sign in foreground lists new 35 mph zone in effect as far east as Seventh Street. Town of Midland sign about 50 feet further east says 30 mph. It will be removed. 

If Midland parents detected some whopping, but unexplained, tummy aches in their youngsters Saturday, they can blame it on Paul Noack and Lionel Hanmer. Paul and Lionel staged the official opening of their renamed “Meatland 277” meat market on King Street Saturday. To mark the occasion, they gave away 650 ice cream bars, 30 gallons of orangeade, and 350 balloons. They were cleaned out by mid-afternoon. By a conservative estimate, about 90 per cent of the “stock” was carted off by the youngsters, who literally can smell a free bargain like this 10 blocks away. “It was quite an event,” laughed Mr. Noack, who doubtless got in the same line-ups himself not too many years ago. 

Staff members of Midland’s “Meatland 277”, above, are cleaning up after a busy day. Left to right are; Diane Annand, Arthur York and Lois Puddicombe. “Meatland” is the former Argue meat market. (Located at 277 King Street.) 

King Street shoppers can now look in the windows, instead of at their feet, at least on the west side of the block between Hugel and Elizabeth. Here Jim Stewart (my godfather) watches Stan Buttineau and Jack Gilbank put the finishing touches to one section of the new sidewalk. It’s one of Midland’s winter works projects. (A group of public servants who often go unnoticed in our lives, literally digging the ditches, cleaning the streets, all night on the snow plows, rain, cold, weekends, a big thanks to the men and women of our public works departments.) 

Although the weather for the trout season opening this year was not the best, these two Midland youngsters had no complaint. This 28-inch, 5 1/2 lb. rainbow was caught by Cecil Merkley, right, with help from Peter Contois. They landed the beauty in the Sturgeon River Sunday afternoon, using an artificial lure. 

UNEMPLOYMENT DOWN 34 PERCENT IN APRIL
Free Press Herald headline of May 4, 1960. Slowly but surely the employment picture is improving in this area, according to figures released this week by Harold Humphries, manager of the Midland office of the National Employment Service. “As of April 28, we had 892 unemployed males and 211 unemployed females listed on our records,” Mr. Humphries told this paper. While these figures are not quite as good as they were one year ago, they are an improvement over those in effect at the end of March of this year, representing  about a 34 per cent drop. The April 30 figures in 1959 were 866 males and 185 females on the unplaced list. Figures as of March 31, 1960, were 1,422 males and 255 females. Opening of the navigation season, and the return to work of sailors, longshoremen, elevator employees and others connected with the water transport industry, accounted for the large drop in the male unemployed list, Mr. Humphries said. 

SAY STUDENT ABSENTEES COST THIS DISTRICT $7,000
County Herald headline of May 6, 1960. Mr. Gauthier explained that $7,000 more would have been received in government grants if there had been no absenteeism and if these grants had been received the seven municipalities concerned would have had to raise just that much less for high school expenses. The principal pointed out that the situation at MPDHS was, no different than at other schools in the province and that on an average there were 35 pupils away every day.  “For every day the average pupil is away, he loses three days of mental, development,” stated Mr. Gauthier, who contended that one-third of our absentees could be at school because they are not absent for educational reasons or sickness.” 

25 YEARS AGO THIS WEEK
Port McNicoll residents learned of the tying up of the Canadian Pacific Steamship Keewatin and the paying off of her crew because of a longshoremen’s strike in Montreal. The Assiniboia was in drydock at the head of the lakes for repairs. * * * After months of  correspondence in an effort to eliminate or improve the low, narrow subway at the Wye River, Dr. G. E. Tanner, MPP, succeeded in getting together highway engineers and representatives of the CPR and CNR and the railway board to look over the site and consider possible improvements. * * * Midland town council sharply reduced salaries of town employees, for a saving of approximately $1,000. * * * Midland citizens were honored during the silver jubilee celebration of the accession of King George V to the throne. Presented with the king’s medals were: Mayor S. W. McKinley, St. Andrews Hospital Superintendent Miss Baker, Manley Street School Principal R. G. Nesbitt, Dr. G. E. Tanner, MPP and Police Chief W. J. MacDonald. * * * Penetang officials were predicting better days ahead because, at the end of April, $12,000 more in local taxes had been paid than up to the end of June in the preceding year. * * * Girl Guides of Penetang commended Mrs. W. F. Beck for her leadership and valuable assistance in the Guide movement. Mrs. Beck was forced to relinquish her connection with the Penetang Guides when she moved from that community. * * * Thomas Duncan, Midland Park Commission member, was urging the tourist towns of Simcoe County to combine in a publicity campaign to attract tourists. * * * Midland was chosen as the site for a summer school for men and women teachers to enable those with second class certificates to complete their upper school requirements.  

BIRTHS
ROBERTSON — To Mr. and Mrs. Donald Robertson, Phelpston, at Penetanguishene General Hospital, Friday, April 15, 1960, a daughter.
RIDOUT — To Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Ridout, Balm Beach, at Penetanguishene General Hospital, Saturday, April 16, a daughter.
LICHTENFELD — To Mr. and Mrs. Rolf Lichtenfeld, 305 King St., Midland, at Penetanguishene General Hospital, Sunday, April 17, 1960, a son.
RITCHIE — TO Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Ritchie, Elmvale, at
Penetanguishene General Hospital, Sunday. April 17, 1960, a
Daughter.
PATENAUDE — To Mr. and Mrs. Francis Patenaude, Vasey, at Penetanguishene General Hospital, Tuesday, April 19, 1960, a daughter.
MARION — To Mr. and Mrs. Celestin A. Marion, R.R. 3, Penetang, at Penetanguishene General Hospital, Tuesday, April 19, 1960, a son.
ROSS To REV. and Mrs. Alan Ross, 32 Robert St. W., Penetang, at Penetanguishene General Hospital, Tuesday, April 19, 1960, a son.
ARTHUR — To Mr. and Mrs. John F. Arthur, Hugel Avenue Midland, at St. Andrews Hospital, Wednesday, May 4, 1960, a daughter.
CHARLEBOIS — To Mr. and Mrs. Philip Charlebois, 189 Queen Street, Midland, at St. Andrews Hospital, Tuesday, May 3, 1960, a daughter.
CRAWFORD — To Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd Crawford, Dominion Avenue, Midland, at St. Andrews Hospital, Wednesday, May 4, 1960 a son.
COPEGOG — To Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Copegog, Christian Island, at St. Andrews Hospital, Midland, Thursday, April 28, 1960, a daughter. 

Editorial – Probably the surest sign of spring in these parts is the annual scarifying and grading of the county road to Balm Beach. This work now has been completed and the road is about as rough as it can get. 

OBITUARIES
CHARLES HENRY FRENCH – A resident of North Simcoe for almost all of his 86 years, Charles Henry French died at Waverley April 23, following a stroke. Pastor G. A. Greaser conducted funeral services April 25 at Waverley United Church. Burial was in the church cemetery.  Pallbearers were Freeman and Archie Bumstead, John Miller, Owen French, Garfield Brown and Elmer French. Born at Craighurst March 28, 1874, Mr. French received his early education at Waverley. On March 2, 1904, he married the former Mary Jane Reynolds at Hillsdale. Until his retirement some 20 years ago, Mr. French operated farm at Waverley for 46 years. He had also spent eight years at Outlook, Sask., and two years in Midland. An honorary elder of Waverly United Church, he also had served as school trustee for a number of years. He was a Conservative in politics.  Surviving are his wife, four sons, Ivan, Waverley, Eldon and Harold of Midland, and Morley, Brantford; and two daughters, Mrs. Reg Drinkill (Zaida) and Mrs. Morris Darby (Marjorie), both of Waverley.
FREDERICK RUTHERFORD – Following a lengthy illness, Frederick Rutherford died April 17 in Penetang General Hospital. Funeral service, conducted by Rev. W. L. Morden, was held at the Nicholls’ funeral home, Midland, April 19. Pallbearers were Ernie Bath, Joseph McKinley, Joseph Huston, Ernie Bates, Wm. Keller and Herman Weinreb. Mr. Rutherford, who was born and educated in Midland, was married twice, first to the former Myrtle Morrison and following her death, to the former Alice Huston. Besides his widow, he is survived by daughters Mrs. George Sauve (Olive), Mrs. Ed Peachy (Ethel), Mrs. R. Morrison (Dorothy), Rita, Elizabeth and Theo., and sons Harold, Paul and Robert. Also surviving is a brother, Jack, and two sisters, Mrs. J. McKinley (May) of Midland and Mrs. H. Kempton (Ethel) of San Diego, Cal. Burial was in Lakeview Cemetery.
MRS. BARBARA M. LAND – A lifelong resident of Midland, Mrs. Barbara Margaret Land, the former Barbara Howard, died in St. Andrews Hospital, Midland, April 26, following a lengthy illness. She was in her 3lst year. Requiem mass was celebrated at St. Margaret’s Church April 28, with Rev. F. Voorwerk officiating. Pallbearers were: Clarence Gagnon, Norman Savage, Thomas Gilbert, Alex Crawford, Wm. Rankin and Douglas Martin. A member of the Roman Catholic Church, Mrs. Land was married in Midland May 29, 1948, to Rodney R. Land. Besides her husband, she is survived by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Norman Howard three daughters, Shirley, Karen and Donna; two sons, Rodney and Randolph, and a sister, Mrs. Jack Lizotte (Joan) of Newmarket. Burial was in St. Margaret’s Cemetery.
HERBERT G. RUMNEY – Life-long resident of Tay Township, Herbert Gladstone Rumney died suddenly in St. Andrews Hospital, Midland, on April 22, following a coronary attack. He was in his 68th year. Rev. R. G. Nodwell conducted funeral services at A. Barrie and Sons funeral home, Midland, on April 25. Interment was in Lakeview Cemetery. Pallbearers were Les Edwards, Nathan Edwards, Verne Rumney, Harry Rumney, Frank Rumney and Fred Rumney. Born in Tay Township on Jan. 8, 1893, Mr. Rumney went to school there and was married in 1919 at Victoria Harbour to the late Gladys T. Crooke. Mrs. Rumney predeceased her husband in January, 1958. They were members of the United Church. Mr. Rumney served in World War I from 1916-18 with the 4^th and 177th Battalions. Upon his return he had served several terms as school trustee for SS 10, Tay. Until his retirement in 1958 he had farmed on Con. 6. Surviving are three daughters, Mrs. R. Bidwell (Kathleen), Orillia, Mrs. E. R. Knecht (Muriel), Winnipeg, and Mrs. W. E. Widdens (Eva), Richmond Hill; and two sons, Keith of Walkerton, and Robert, Victoria Harbour. 

   Tender for the construction of three new cottages at Little Lake Park, Midland, was awarded to Norman Polmateer by Midland Park Board at its meeting earlier this week. Mr. Polmateer’s tender of $5,700 was one of six received by the board. Three tenders were received for the cottages plumbing contract and the board awarded this contract to Bell and Wilson, whose tender was $1,618. Barber and Haskill were awarded the electrical contract for the three cottages with their tender of $354. There was only one other electrical tender. The new cottages are to be built at the western end of the cottage area, near where the old cabins used to stand, board secretary, W. A. Hack advised yesterday.

The photos found in this blog post are the property of Huronia Museum, Midland, Ontario. Any reproduction for commercial use without permission is prohibited.  Any other distribution must credit Huronia Museum.  Please contact the museum with any questions you may have.  

Click on photos to enlargeDream of kids everywhere — a ride on the fire truck came true for these Penetang lads after they won the Ontario Little NHL championship in Huntsville Saturday. Sunday afternoon found the NHL champs riding the big new truck in the foreground, while the junior “A” entry, eliminated in the semi-finals, got a ride on the older truck. Numerous cars joined in the joyful procession. 

Machinery is arriving steadily, on schedule, at the new Greening Wire plant in Midland. Here John Fox, left, and Gil Hamelin, are busy on one of the new spooling benches which have been set up. Earlier in the month floods swept across the floor of the factory. 

To persons not acquainted with the manufacture of wire rope, this machine turns out the finished product in startling fashion, weaving a number of strands around one central wire core. Attending the machine, in Midland’s new Greening Wire plant, is Mike Fox, one of about a dozen local men now steadily employed. 

Perfect weather on the weekend brought out a large number of divot-diggers at Midland Golf and Country Club. On hand to greet them for the first time were new pro Bob Rothmel and his wife, Betty, who will be in charge of the club house. The early birds found the course had wintered well and is in good condition. 

It was a real “dog day” for sure at the Roxy Theatre last Wednesday as the kids brought along their favorite pooches for the big dog show sponsored by manager Wilf LaRose. Happiest man when it was all over, Mr. LaRose, who spent an anxious half hour stopping dog fights and untangling himself from leashes. 

“I sure hope Toby wins a prize,” says little Carol Willett, three-year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ross Willett, as they wait for the judges’ decision at the dog show held at the Roxy Theatre recently. Lending moral support to Carol (and Toby) is Roxy attendant Sharon McElroy. 

This is the time of year when bowlers collect the prizes they’ve won over the long, hard season just finished. Prizes for high individual scores in the Twin City League were won by left to right, front — Ina Knapp, May Williams, Shirley Jeffery; back — Leo Perrault, Gord Ross, Bob Somers. 

Members of the All-Stars, winners of the George Webb Trophy were May Williams, Phil Hamelin, Dorothy Spicer, Shirley Jeffery, Doug Swann and Joan Brechin. Not present was Pete Hamelin. 

Attendants of this gasoline pump at Six Mile Lake will have to swim to their jobs, unless the water goes down a foot or more before the customers start to arrive. Many private docks, as well as those of commercial establishments, are covered by a foot or more of water. 

Getting into this boat house at Six Mile Lake may be quite a problem for some time, unless the unusually high waters recede quickly. Although it doesn’t show, there’s a dock running along the left side of this picture to the boat house door. It’s covered by more than a foot of water. Level of the lake is governed by the level of the nearby Severn River. 

Among the “Old Timers” who attended the opening of the new wing at Mountain School April 6 were the women, and one gentleman, above, watching Mrs. Bertha Clark McQuay of Midland sign the guest book. Mrs. McQuay was the oldest graduate of the old red school present. Others are, left to right, Mrs. William Wallace, Midland, Fred Toole, Toronto, Miss Dorothy Bennett and Miss Mary Bennett, who still reside on the “mountain”, Mrs. M. Leatherdale, Midland, Mrs. Annie VanCamp, Balm Beach, and Mrs. Ethel Bateson MacMillan, Midland. 

Truly a family business is the S. Reid and Sons grocery at Victoria Harbour. Founded by the late Samuel Reid 65 years ago, the store is still run by his sons, William, left, and Walter, and daughter Miss Eva J. Reid. The store has been in continuous operation on the same site since April 8, 1895. 

 A year later in September of 1961 the siblings sold the store and retired.

Pupils of Port McNicoll Public School and their teachers held open house for parents Tuesday night in the school. Here Patsy Kelly and Judy Coughlin stand behind a table laden with some of the works of art of student cooks. On the wall behind them are skirts made by girls in the home economics class. 

Mr. & Mrs. Bert Armstrong seem proud of the work done by their son, Bobbie (Bob Armstrong), a pupil at Port McNicoll Public School. The school held open house for parents Tuesday night. The annual event attracted a good crowd. Also on display were articles made by the woodworking class. 

Return of more seasonable weather has also meant a return of construction activity in Midland. In the upper photo, a start is being made by Roland Desroches on an “eight unit apartment” building on Yonge Street, West. In the lower photo are some of the six new houses built by Rei Construction near the Leitz factory on Ellen Street. Most of them have been sold.

 

It’s John Thomas, getting an upside-down view of the world during his performance on the rings. Large crowds attended the annual physical fitness demonstrations put on by the ‘Y’ boys and girls during the two nights.

PROVINCE CANCELS PLANS FOR INFORMATION CENTER
Free Press Herald headline of April 27^th, 1960.
North Simcoe tourist promotion associations and resort operators, who were expecting that a permanent  information centre would be erected near Barrie this year, are going to be disappointed. The Georgian Bay Development Association revealed yesterday it had been informed by Travel and Publicity Minister Bryan Cathcart that no action would be taken on the project this year. The GBDA announcement said this information had been obtained in a recent follow-up on plans for the proposed permanent tourist information booth on Highway 400, near Barrie. GBDA officials said they had been given “strong assurances” last fall and throughout the winter months that, the booth would be in operation for the 1960 tourist season. The necessary funds for the building have not been released by the government,” it was stated. Expenditures of $60,000 for this project were contained in the Department of Public Works estimates, but Travel and Publicity Minister Cathcart told the GBDA that, in view of the tight money situation, certain expenditures had to be reconsidered under these new conditions.
 
MPDHS LEVY $210,795 FOR SEVEN MUNICIPALITIES
County Herald headline of April 29, 1960.
The seven municipalities which support Midland-Penetang District High School will be called on to pay a total of $210,795.13 of a total school budget of $454,207.79, according to figures, released by MPDHS board chairman T. M. McCullough yesterday. Midland’s share of the 1960 high school levy amounts to $90,776.24, an increase of $5,702.93; over last year’s figures. On the basis of the 1959 assessment this would mean about a five-eighths of a mill increase on the 1960 tax rate. But owing to an increase in the town assessment this year, it should amount to about .38 of a mill hike in the rate for high school purposes, Clerk W. A. Hack said. Penetang’s share of, the levy amounts to $28,900.97, an increase of $4,057.22 over the 1959 figure. It is estimated this will mean a little more than a 1.5 mill boost in the 1960 high school rate for that town. Estimated provincial grants amount to $237,172.66 and the balance, approximately $6,200, is made up of the cadet grant, fees from other high schools, marine school fees and other income. 

    Garbage dump troubles hit Tiny Township Monday when council heard a letter from Simcoe County Health Unit, asking the municipality to close a dump near Wyevale. Clerk G. Marchand also informed council he had received complaints from residents about garbage being dumped in the “Mountain” gravel pit, west of Midland. No action was taken on either complaint.

    Gangs of teenagers hanging around restaurants on Penetang’s Main Street caused considerable discussion at Monday night’s meeting of Penetang council. The matter came up when Mayor Jerome Gignac complained of broken bottles on the Main Street. He said he had stopped several times on the way to church Sunday morning to take glass off the street, before he could drive by. At that point, several councilors mentioned the trouble probably originated with gangs of teenagers who hang about in the restaurant area, particularly on weekend nights. 

    As an alternative to locks on the Severn River at Big Chute and Swift Rapids, C. S. Wice, yesterday suggested the possibility of diverting the Trent Waterway through Six Mile Lake, with locks at White’s Falls. He had expressed some concern over a possible heavy drain on water (also used by hydro plants) which might result during a dry period if locks are installed at the Swift and Big Chute. (At this time a lock at Big Chute was still being planned.) 

   Simcoe County council’s grant to Huronia Historic Sites and Tourist Association has been cut $200 this year. This fact was made known to the association at its meeting in Port McNicoll last week. The association had requested $1,200 from the county but is to receive only $1,000. The tourist promotion body was informed that its grant had been cut as a result of Barrie’s withdrawal from the county and the resultant heightening-of-costs-and expenditures and the lowering of revenue. 

    Midland has won its second traffic safety award in about as many years. The Canadian Highway Safety Council announced this week that the North Simcoe town has been awarded a special citation for having, by “united community effort”, completed 1959 without one fatal traffic accident. The awards are being presented to 57 Canadian cities and towns with populations between 5,000 and 10,000. Seventeen of these municipalities are in Ontario. 

    Executive of the Huronia Association for Retarded Children has estimated it will require a budget of $7,500 to operate this year. The proposed budget includes a salary of $3,250 for the principal of its school, $250 for her assistant, $2,500 for transportation, $500 for accommodation and transportation, $500 for classroom equipment, and $500 for a reserve. The association anticipates revenue of $2,500 in government grants, and $1600 in grants from nearby municipalities. At present it has $500 in cash on hand. An additional $2,900 is required to meet its proposed budget. 

BIRTHS
VESSAIR — To Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Vessair Honey Harbour, at St. Andrews Hospital, Tuesday, April 26, a son.
DUPUIS — To Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Dupuis, Port McNicoll, at St. Andrews Hospital, Thursday, April 21, 1960, a son.
LATONDRESSE — To Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Latondresse, Victoria Harbour, at St. Andrews Hospital, Wednesday, April 6, 1960, a son.
LAWLER — To Mr. and Mrs. William Lawler, Victoria Harbour, at St. Andrews Hospital, Thursday, April 21, 1960, a daughter.
MALLETTE  – To Mr. and Mrs. Ray Mallette, 150 Sixth Street, Midland, at St. Andrews Hospital, Wednesday, April 20, 1960, a son.
MCFARLAND — To Mr. and Mrs. Robert McFarland, Port McNicoll, at St. Andrews Hospital, Monday, April 25, 1960, a daughter.
MOREAU — To Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Moreau, Percy Street, Waubaushene, at St. Andrews Hospital, Wednesday, April 20, 1980, a son.
MORLEY — To Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Morley, 84 Hanly Street, Midland, at St. Andrews Hospital, Wednesday, April 20, 1960, a son.
St. AMAND — To Mr. and Mrs. Norman St. Amand, 80 Fifth Street, at St. Andrews Hospital, Thursday, April 21, a daughter. (Baby died).
 
TEN YEARS AGO THIS WEEK
Rt. Rev. J. M. Castex of Penetang flew to Rome and after an audience with Pope Pius XII spent a month at his birthplace, the village of Sacone in the Pyrenees Mountains. * * * Continuing deficit forced St. Andrews Hospital Board to increase the daily rates for patient care. Increases were: public ward from $3.75 to $4.25; semi-private ward rate increases were from 50 cents to $1 and private ward rate hikes ranged from 50 cents to $1.25. * * * The 30,000 Island Navigation Company of Midland announced the inauguration of a freight and passenger service between Midland and Parry Sound using the 112-foot “Coastal Queen”. * * * Penetang council had its first look at the new building and zoning bylaw drawn up by Councillors Bernard St. Amant and Jerome Gignac. * * * Victoria Harbour citizens met to consider the building of a skating rink and recreational centre. * * * Word was received from Ontario Minister of Highways, Hon. George H. Doucett, that Waubaushene would be on the southern loop of the new Trans-Canada Highway. * * * A summer school of archaeology, the first of its kind in Canada was announced by Dr. S. F. Maine, director of the summer school and extension department. University of Western Ontario. Under the direction of Dr. W. W. Jury, the school was to be conducted on the site of Fort Ste. Marie, near Midland. * * * Subscribers and renters of telephones served by the Coldwater Municipal Telephone System were notified by letter that their rates would be more than doubled. 

    Midland’s assessment department will commence the annual town census Monday, assessor Ian McLung said yesterday. Ivan Flynn, a member of the assessment staff, will be the census taker, Mr. McLung said. He explained that the annual census forms the basis for the $3.50 per person grant which the town receives from the government each year. He asked that the public cooperate with the census taker. 

    Penetang citizens had a novel experience Wednesday night. Many were startled when they heard a train whistle blowing in town shortly before midnight. In recent years, trains have come into town three times weekly, but during daylight hours only. E. J. Levesque, the CNR agent, said yesterday the train made a special trip to pick up a rush carload shipment from a Penetang factory. When reminded that Wednesday is one of the scheduled days for the train, Mr. Levesque said the railroad is operating under a new policy whereby the train comes in for full car shipments going either way. “We are how trucking all freight of less than carload quantity,” he said, “thereby providing a generally faster service.” 

   Waubaushene residents had something to beef about the first few days of this week. It was a beef — very dead and equally SMELLY. Maynard Thiffault first saw the animal, which had apparently drowned, floating in the main channel of Georgian Bay Sunday. It was also apparent that the animal had been a valuable one when alive; but no one was able to locate the owner. “Nobody was very anxious to fish it out of the water, either,” said Mr. Thiffault. It was finally hauled out Wednesday by a commercial company that specializes in removal of dead animals. 

   Just about the busiest place in Midland during March was St. Andrews Hospital. At Tuesday night’s board meeting, it was revealed that the hospital had recorded 2,738 patient days during the month, or 20 per cent above the budgeted estimate, according to Alex Craig, business manager. The average patient day, 88, was up by a similar figure. So far, the large influx of patients has not caused any embarrassment to the hospital. “We have been getting terrific co-operation from the nurses,” said Mrs. Jean Sutton, acting director of nursing. Meanwhile the board is proceeding with arrangements to open the first floor of the long idle Playfair Wing. Already on order is $3,500 worth of furniture. 

   I don’t know of a town in Ontario that has placed itself on the map in a historic manner as Penetang has done during recent years.” This was the opening statement of remarks made by Dr. Wilfred Jury at a meeting of directors of Penetang Chamber of Commerce, Tuesday noon. Mr. Jury stated that officials at the University of Western Ontario were extremely well pleased with the co-operation given by the town during the years the university had shown an interest in assisting with the excavation of local history. Speaking particularly of the Officers’ Quarters Museum, Mr. Jury said, “We are expecting the best year ever this season, but again we will be depending on the co-operation of local residents.” He mentioned that a number of improvements have been made since last year, some of which will provide a great deal more space in the museum. “I have arranged to bring six girls from the university to work in this district during the summer,” Mr. Jury said. He went on to explain that two would be working at the museum and four at the Indian village in Midland.