Mayor Hints Town May Undertake East End “Slum Clearance” Project.

In his inaugural address Mayor Charles Parker spells out some of the projects ahead in 1955. Plans for the new municipal building, survey of the sewer system, revising the building code, tackling the growing traffic problems in town and the possibility of clearing the slum housing in the south east corner of town to make way for industrial growth (Dollar Town). Residents might be moved to new housing to make possible a “toning up” of that area.

 

 Being sworn in for the fifth time, Mayor Charles Parker on left, reads the oath of office before barrister A.A. Ingram, center, while Reeve W.H. Keller waits his turn. (This was at a time when elections were held annually at the beginning of the year.)

 Arthur Bressette, 36, dies in a house fire at Bergie Point Victoria Harbour early Saturday morning. Mr. Bressette was home alone, his wife being in hospital in Guelph at the time and their two children Wayne 2, and Edward 4, were staying with an aunt. Mr. Bressette was a bricklayer by trade and had lived in the area all his live except for his time overseas during the war. Survived by his parents Mr. & Mrs. Paul Bressette, three brothers Leonard, Lorne and Robert and a sister Mrs. Fred Miller all of Victoria Harbour.

 

 Learning to be careful drivers on the Great Lakes these students at Midland’s marine school hear the mysteries of the Canadian buoyage system explained by Capt. Robert Mitchell. L to R, assistant instructor Gordon Glover of Midland; Robert Mitchell Jr., Port McNicoll; Bernard Gravelle, Penetang; Bill Shields, Midland and Captain Mitchell.

 

   A Chief Engineers job on a Great Lakes steamship is a complicated one as the three students to the right will agree. “Chiefy” for many years with Canadian Pacific Steamships, John Moses of Port McNicoll is the chief instructor.  Pupils are U.J. Lefaive, Port McNicoll; Al Bremner, Midland and Albert Rice, Port McNicoll. School is sponsored by the Vocational Committee of the Midland Penetang District High School Board.

 

 Pictured in the 1954 paper was the first line of defense for the Midland Junior Red Wings, Blake Ball, goalie Charlie Duggan and Dave McCall. Blake’s picture was cropped from this photo and republished on January 14th 1955 under the heading, “fiery Midland defenseman who will see action in the Arena Gardens Monday night when the Red Wings entertain Stouffville in an OHA Junior “C”  game. Wings hope to get back in the win column after dropping four in a row”

 Top Rink in Midland Spiel.

Winners in the main event of the Midland Curling Club’s 22nd annual bonspiel, Al Steer’s rink is seen with Jack Westlake, Midland manager for Imperial Oil and his assistant alderman Bill Logan as they present the Imperial Oil trophy to the winners. Winning team, Harold Wilcox, Alvin Steer, Lloyd Wilcox and Larry Curran.

 

 Cub and Scout leaders of the South Georgian Bay District open the first of four nights of lectures and training at St. Mark’s Parish Hall  Midland. L to r, Arthur Richards, Midland; Patsy Lovelace, Coldwater; Harvey Boyd, assistant district commissioner and course instructor, Eddie Maddox, Midland; Florence Cheetham, Waubaushene and Mac Sallows, Coldwater.

 

News Items

• Welfare requests in Penetang must now be made in person each Wednesday night in council chambers
• Penetang General Hospital seeks increase in funding from Tiny and Penetang councils.
• Early start on cable TV system predicted by W.H. Cranston, contracting with Bell Telephone to install and maintain lines
• Steel for new Midland Penetang District High School expected next week, foundations are in place
• CPR elevator celebrates 913 accident free work days, employ up to 115 men during the busy season

For Sale

• Gray Coach round trip fares, Ottawa $17.85, Washington DC $29.20, Kentucky Caves all inclusive 5 day tour $54.55
• Free Press photo reprints available $1.00 each
• Nap Beauchamp Construction of Penetang, six beautiful brick bungalows on Hanly Street Midland’s newest and most modern residential area.
• Johnstone’s, Dry Goods-Luggage-Toys-Music-Records-Books-Sporting Goods-Fishing Tackle

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.