Richmond Hill Public Library News Index

The Liberal, 8 Jan 1959, p. 13

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Where the woolén shop now stands Was William Harrison, the harness maker and’ Richmond Hill's second reeve. On the pr0p- arty .now‘ used for the municipal buildingewer two stores: Grant’s Pl ..eapp1e extracts and a repair shop. > v ‘Back eon'Yonge r Street, there was Oscar Brown’s Grocery Store,‘ an; next door Was the Glass But- cher Shop (still there). Where Wight’s Pharmacy is \today stood the Falconbridge home. The 'two houses at the back‘ of Simpson’s Dry Goods were one of the last private banks in Canada; run by James Lawrence. Immediately north of the bank was. ohn Brown’s ‘Grocery Store. hen came Mr. Savage’s father, P. G. Savage, who operated a combina- tion grocery, post office and fur- niture store. The store has now been .made over into an apart- ment. _' The only other store on ‘ the west side of the street .was Mr. Wright the undertaker (on the same property as they presently have). Mr. Wright alse operated a earrlarge paintijgg business.- ' was Harry Hoppefithe butcher. Then came I. J.. Crbsby with a general store and John Coulter the tailor. Starting at the south end on the west side of the street, there were two shoe stores. First there was the Kenesley Shoe Shop and then the McConaghy Shoe Shop (an Yerex‘ Electric). Next. on the preSent school site was the old school. A combination public and hi h school, it burned down one co d winter's night when all the fire hoses froze solid. Immediate- 1y north of the school was another newspaper called the York? Her- ald, under Joe Keefler. Then came the old Post Office with Mr. feefy as postmaster. At the corner net of Arnold Street was a hotel run by John Palmer. ht the back of the hotel was a barber shop run by Mose Ransom, father of Stan Ransom, well known local barber. In front‘of the barber lhopr was George McDonald’s Hagness'shop. r Crossing over Yonge Street, Mr. savage began mentally to come south again. The‘first store was Limber’s Bake shop. Next door In the building now used by raris Elgctric, William Sanderson ran a drug store. On the property now occupied by Charlton’s hard- ware, Charlie Mason ran a hard:- ware business. In the store oc- cupied for so long by Ted Mans- brld'ge and his meat market, Rob- ert Sibers had a shoe store. '“The‘Liberal” asked Mr. Sav- age it he would mentally walk up and» down Yonge Street as he had many times as a lad of ten,- and describe. the stores he used to see.\ This is the result. The property upon which now rests Marley’s Groceteria contain- ed a combination grocery store and jewellery store operated by Mr. ‘Skeele. Next door was .a ra- ther popular store (in those days): Alec Moodey’s General Store, where they sold whiskey over the counter. Then came Kirby’s Confectionary and Sloan's Drug Store where Mr. Clarke new haihis drug store. “A- __._LL-_ The other day Mr. Savage got to talking about the Village’ of Richmond Hill as it used to be when he was a boy, around 1880. At that time, the population was no‘more than six or seven hun- drgd‘harAdy souls. ‘ William; Savage, 85, who now lives on Centre St. East, is one of the oldest living residents of Richmond Him/having lived here all his life. .His father lived here begqre him as well. RichmondHi" Had Threé Hotels . . .' . . In 1890 for your place of business, truck lettering; sale signs. office door lettering; papér‘ signs, any time, fast Service. Théfirnéxt ‘Business was another Representatives of James Machay‘ & Sons Ltd., can- tractors, v'met with Markham Township Council and Solic- itor J. D. Lucas Monday ev- eningvregarding an adequate water supply for the new shopping centre to be located on Yonge Street directly south of Richmond Hill. The MacKay firm agreed to deed the piece of property on _which a test hole, drilled by Richmond Hill, has indicated there is an adequate water supply, to the township for the sum of $1.00. In return Markham has-agreed to de- velop the well and supply the shopping centre with an ade- quat_e_wat_e_r supply. ___ , , _- . 7..-- __w“ is, V With this new source of Water Markham is expected to investigate the possibility of setting up another water area extended north from the present Water Area No. 1 which ends at No. 7 Highway. Both residents of Hillsview Drive and Carrville Road East have requested council to establish a municipal water system. » MacKay Firm Deeds Test Hole To Markham TU; 4-2213 SIGNS tum-) He spent two years at the Uni- versity of Saskatchewan, and it was in a lumber camp near Prince Albert whe'z swinging an axe as a lumber-jack, that his ‘heart was torn to see the colossal waste of noble trees, it was then be de- cided to qualify himself for the work of a forester. In his book, "I Planted Trees," he writes that in those days of 1913 there were no forestry schools in Canada, and students had to go to Seattle, Washington, for their forestry studies. So he decided to go to C mbridge, but scarcely arrived there before World War I broke out, and sinc‘e he had joined up as a trooper he was busy during the next four years and did not resume his studies, after twice being wounded in France. until 1918. After completing his for- estry training he sailed for Kenya in 1920, to commence his great work of conservation in the for- ests of [Kenya and the Southern Provinces of Nigeria. Baker found the African tribes-l men had an instinctive love of trees, such as he had observed in the North American Indian, and it was not a difficult task to per- suade the Africans to plant and care for them. One day, in the forests ofthe highlands of Ken- ya, he observed some wood chips which had a most attractive ce- dar-like smell which came from a sort of juniper tree which the Kikuyu had fell-ed to split into slabs for the walls of their huts. It Seemed to Baker that here in: deed was an ideal pencil wood to take the lace of the Virginian pencil ce ar. He sent samples back to England and before long a demand was createdfor this wood for pencil-making, As a for-” ester it devolved upon him to see to it that future supplies of this valuable tree were available. And thus the “Men of the .Trees” came into being for it was these Afri-‘ can tribesmen who collected the seed of the might Mutarakwa, Kenya pencil tree, who were its first members; After treating‘the seeds in a special way to ensure germinatidn, the tribesmen assist- ed in sowing and raising large quantities of thesap seedlings which were planted on old farms turned into nurseries before they took their final resting place in the forest. The motto of the first Men of the Trees, or Watu-wa- Miti who banded themselves to- ‘ gether in response to an appeal to save their Kenya farms from de- struction was "Two-hamwe -- All as one‘" It is- significant to note that those tribesmen who had been inspired by Baker did not take part in the Mau-Mau up- risings in Kenya many years 1a- ~ l/ialo By Mrs. L. S. Riley, Thomhill ‘ It Iwas my privilege on Novem- ber 25th, to hear Richard St. Barbe Baker give a short address to members of the “Men of the Trees” and guests at a luncheon meeting. This veteran forester who has done more than any one person in the world to restore forest cover to the earth’s sur- face and virtually made “the des- ert bloom like the rose” in Is- rael- through tree-planting was visiting Toronto on his way home to_:England from Vancouver. At that time, the favorite sport of the country was the game “La- crosse,” and Richmand Hill had many championshi; teams. Mr. W-heré tfie Richmond Theatre now stands was Powell’s Hotel. ‘ Beyond these businesses. there wasn't much more to the town. ‘On his travels back to Great Britain on furloughs he had in“ terested a group of tree-lovers to form the Men of the Trees So- ciety, a feIIOWShip which pledge themsleves to plant, protect and hand on their tree heritage for posterity to enjoy.- In 1929,'~Ba- ker was invited to Palestine by the, High CommiSSioner, Sir John Chancellor, who felt that there was an all-important obligation to the country to re-clothe the hills with tree-gnowth. Allenby’s army had supervised tree planting on their conquering sweep ,of the HolyflLand but since his success- ful campaign treeâ€"planting had progressed slowly. Allenby had the wisdom to realize that if the land were to be restored to its ancient fertile state, “the land of milk and honey,” it must be done by reforestation. Baker called 0n the heads of all the orthodox re- ligions but first enlisted the sym- pathy and cooperation of the Guardian of the Baha’i cause, Shogi Effendi, who was grandson of Abdul Baha who had largely been responsible for bringing Pal- estine under the British mandate. A Men of the Trees Society was formed; in Palestine and Sho- gi Effendi was its first life-mem- ber. The High Commissioner was Patron and the numerous relig- ious heads were Vice-Patrons. These devoted men who hated each other fon the love of God were at last united in their love of trees and the need for affores- tation in Palestine. The old holi- Then came “The Liberal" of- fices ‘ under the leadership of Tommy F. McMahon (on the pres- et} property). huge} operated _b_y_ M1} “Brillipgey. .Y/Mr/cl Elma! f1 On his return from Palestine he found he was not required by the Colonial Office as governments were retrenching and money for forestry was being withdrawn. So he thought this presented a grand opportunity to set out on a trip around‘the world and see some of the greater forests of the world of which at this time he was ignore ant. But first he wantedto help some of his fellowocOuntrymen, and succeeded in awakening‘the interest of ' fifty Welsh boys to settle on farm‘s in Ontario. At Vimy Ridge, a farm just outside Guelph he had a' clearing depot for these boys and visited them onuhis world trip. day of the “Feast of the Trees” was restored, and ceremonial tree plantings carried out on that day, the 15th of Shebat which falls between the rainy season- and the beautiful spring. Trees grow twice as fast in Israel as in America and more trees now- adays are planted by individual groups than the State Forestry service. Trees conserve water- sheds and mountain springs and keep the water table high, control erosion, purify the air and- help to maintain life. ms journeyings carried him to the Big Trees of the West Coast and he has described these and the story of Douglas after whom the Canadian fir wasvnamed in his first book “Among the Trees" and “The Redwoods.” Early in his career he had forsaken shooting with guns to that of the camera and was able to take with him for the rest of his journey many fine slides of the world's oldest trees, Sequoia sempervirens â€" the ever- living â€"â€" and thus create public support of his idea that these old- est llVIng trees on earth should be saved for posterity. “The Save the Redwoods League" had al- ready been .formed and Baker set himself the task of letting the wider world know about their need for salvation. His arrival in New Zealand' came at a time when they were about to close down the Forestry Department through shortage of funds, but Baker's protests at such procedure bore fruit and for- estry-bonds were issued to the public with the slogan “Plant- Trees and Grow Money." Over $4,000,000 worth of forestry bonds were sold and twenty thoua sand acres planted per year. He found the same situation in the Canberra School of Forestry in 1931, but succeeded in persuad- ing at treasury official to keep the school open. After a warm wel- come by tree-lovers in Sydney and Melbourne, he was able to form a branch of the “Men_ of the Trees” in Australia. And so on to Ceylon, India and home to Eng- land where he lost no time in raising funds for the preservation of the Californian Coast Red- woods? and he was supported by an enthusiastic Society at Cres- cent City, and eventually in 1939 the Delnorte County Redwood ‘Forest was added to the State lParks System. It will be here on 1 the ninth day of the ninth month ‘ of nineteen fifty-nine that repre- lsentatives of all the “Men of the Trees” societies will be meeting in the Grave of Understanding, which but for the aid of the “Men of the Trees” would have fallen to the axe. savage was a member of one of those teams. When they played, farmers from miles around came to see the action. When thinking about the “oldé tyme” Richmond Hill, Mr. Savage got a warm, far away look in his eye. “I don’t know this town any more," he says‘ “I only know Richmond, Centre and Yonge Streets. Things were harder for all of us in those old days. Now it's too big for me." The Canadian branch of “Men of the Trees” was founded by the late F. E. Robson in 1935, after visiting England where, having seen an exhibition of Baker's pho- tographs of trees in the forests of the world, he was able to bring [this collectiou to Toronto to in- terest .tneelovers of that city. By means of lectures, tree plantings and tree "bees" in the schools, an awareness of trees for their beau- ty and usefulness to mankind is stimulated. All wealth comes from the earth and the Men of the Trees fellowship believe that without fair play to the earth we cannot exist physically, without fair play to our neigthur we cannot exist socially or internationally, and without fair play to our better selves there is no individuality or constructive leadership. “With twelve per cent of the world’s population on the North Ameri- can continent consuming half of the raw materials of the world, are we playing fair?” asked Mr. Baker. The desert areas of the world are increasing, the Sahara at the rate of 30 miles per year. In one of Baker’s latest books, “Sahara Challen‘ge“, he tells of his 9,000 miles’ Safari to take a survey of the desert and where the botanist on the trip observed 1 1 a plant which obtained water from inspiration, and there was enough water by the root of the plant to grow a tree. Thus open- ing up a why to plant the desert and restore the valuable top soil. The parent organization in Great Britain is collaborating with representatives .of fifty-four countries for a World Forestry Organization to fight the' en- croachment of desert conditions upon already inadequate food re- sources. . “He that planteth‘a tree as a ser- vant of God; He provideth a kindness for many generations And faces that he hath not seen shall bless him.” Many are those who will bless Richard St. Barbe Baker for his vision and action. OI'OI’l t0 [area f er The pump house at Loblaws was repotjted to have been enter- ed, but the store manager was aware of the sitpationi At 8:45 am. on January 3, the body of a fox was found. It had been in a fight with a porcupine and had lost. It was removed by Dr. Darlington of the Health and Animals Branch for a rabies check. A prowler on Thornbank Road was investigated on January 4, and a report of a car in a ditch on the Kirby Side Road was looked into. Two children inside the ca: were complaining of the. cold. It was learned their father was down the road helping another motorist stuck in the snow. The Vaughan Township Police have been kept busy since Jan- uary 1 investigating a series of near felonies. ' A night check on that day turn- ed up with a quantity of gasoline additives near the BA. Station of Rich-Hill Motors. The same night, a wheelbarrow was found outside of Western Tire in Richvale. Many relatives and friends call- ed at the home‘ of Mr. and Mzs. Percy Hénks, 95 Ggandview Ave., Willowdale, on Tuesday, January 6, 1959, on the occasion of their Golden Wedding anniversary. They were married In Andover, England 50 years ago when Mr. Hanks was serving in the Imper- ial Army. Wounded at the battle of Mons, Mr. Hanks was return- ed as a Lieutenant. and come to Canada with his wife in‘ 1918. Mr. Hanks is now 75 and his wife Ethel is nearly '70. They Vanghan Police Charge Three Men With Theft Mr; 8. Mrs. PercyiHanks Enjoy Golden Wedding J. E. Millyard, of the, Bell Telephone Company of Canada, is pictured with some of the equipment he used to demonstrate “Sounds of our Times”, when he addressed members of the Richmond Hill Lions Club at a recent dinner meeting. , In his demonstration-talk, Mr. Millyard played a repertoire of unusual recordings, including the ire-enactment of a telephone conversation by Alexander Graham Bell. Here, he holds a reproduction of a. “gallows” telephone, one of the first of Bell’s models. a Two fires occurred since that time, however. The first was at 2.19 p.m. on January 5 at the home of Harvey Obee on the El- girl Mills_ _Sidt_a Road. While the force was fighting that fire, a truck had to be sent to Superior Sand and Gravel in Maple where a tractor was on fire. There was no estimate of damage. Over the New Years holiday, there were no arrests made by the police department and no motor vehicle accidents reported. Started by hot ashes in a paper bag placed in a garage“ the fire was limited.to the double garage by the prompt action of the town- ship fire department. Destroyed in the fire were a 1957 Ford and a 1958 Ford with a loss of $5,000 and damage estimated at $1,500 to the building, As a duty Sergeant said, “every- body was like little lambs.” ‘ both enjoy good health and pride themselves on their beautift‘il garden and many bird houses. the work of their own hands. since the first of the year. Their three married daughters, all living in Toronto, who assist- ed in receiving the many guests at this week’s At Home are: Mrs. Ethel Bawden, Mrs. Gladys Hunt and Mrs. Elsie Thomson. this happy occasion. “The Liberal" joins the com- munity in extending many good wishes to Mr. and Mrs. Hanks on Fire caused an estimated $5,000 damage to the J. B. & D. plant on Number 7 highway west of Union- ville Monday night. Cause of the blaze is believed to be an over- heated furnace. Markham and Unionville brigades answered the alarm but were hampered in fire fighting by lack of water. 'At the inaugural meeting of the Richmond Hill ’Plan- ning Board held Tuesday ev- ening, Mr. Norman Todd, well known IOcal solicitor was re-elected chairman for the coming year. Serving with Mr. Todd will be Vice-chair- man Ross Scrimger, Secreo wry-treasurer J. M. Brown. The other members of the board are Mr. Tom ‘Buchan and Councillor R. P. Ross. 'Mr. J. A. Picard, president of Toronto Association 107 of the Native Sons of Can- ada will be the guest speaker at tonight’s (Thursday) meet- ing of the RichmOnd Hill Kinsmen Club, to be held at the Theatre Grill. An outspoken advocate of a distinctive Canadian flag Mr. Picard will discuss the coming Royal Visit and the need for a strong Canadian Nationalism. ’~ ' The Native Sons have launched a. campaign for ,a distinctive, Canadian flag and acceptance of O Canada as Canada’s national anthem. Re-elect N. Todd Planning Board ’59 Chairman Fire Damage To Unionville Plant Flag Champion Guest Speaker Local Kinsmen The Liberal RICHMOND HILL TU. 4-1105 7mm LIBERAL; women! m. ammo,- 5mm 3. 1959 ' 1a There was a time, not so long ago, that winter residents of the area were permitted to use spears. Despite their protests. the govern- ment of the day finally prohibited spearing and today the winter fishing is confined to the hook- and-line method which is product- ive enough for anyone. Certainly, the fisherman who gets into a Whitefish school has his hands full in no time. ' Which brings about a story oft- told by. a veterhn resident of the area who claimed that the white- fish schools were kept in place, by voracious lake trout who, with almost human ingenuity, main- tained in constant patrol around the, school and moved it hither and thither at their will. So far as is known, there has been no “official” confirmation of the theory. ‘ Acordihg to 'ofiiclals of the Ontario Department of Lands and Forests, Simcoe is probably the heaviest-fished lake in the prov- ince during the winter manths. Main catch: Whitefish, herung, lake trout. To the true ice fisherman, there is no greater sanctuary from the strain and worry of the workaday world than the little ice hut, heat- Ice fishing is a very popular winter sport, and Lake Simcoe is the mecca during winter months‘for many ggtpqslast; -_ And, despite the fact Lake Simcoe has been fished, winter and summer, for at least two "hun- dred years, the‘big lake 40 miles north of Toronto seems to take all the fishing poSsible and still produce-1 practically every variety of fish to be found in Ontario Winter - Fishing Popular Sport On Lake Simcoe SIMPSUN’SDRY GOODS 12 Yonge St. South : Richmond Hill The, local bus service willrbring' you to our store, ed by a tiny wood or oil burner, the floor of which is the trons- lucent water of Lake Simcoel In the little hut (and some of them have electricity ,and even tele- vision!) the fisherman in some cases concentrates entirely in get- ting his minnow-baited hook at the, proper depth to intercept the hungry Whitefish. herring or lake trout. In other cases, however, the fisherman is quite content to « ogxothing at all. £an and Detroit. Fishermen are warned that it is still against the law to use "snag. gets", wire gadgets on whlch are mounted a number of unbaited hooks over which unwary fish may cross. When they do so, the illegal fisherman jerks sharply on the line and, in most cases, in- jures .more fish than he will ever catch by the' illegal means. As usual, conservation officers of the Department will patrol the lake constantly to see that the regulations are carried out. . Economically, ice-fishing means a great deal to the residents of the area, who build huts and rent them, set as guides, supply meals, fishing tackle and baits for the thousands 'who head Simcoe- wards at week-end or through the week. At one time last year, officials of the Department re- pbrted 'there were more than 3;- 500 huts on the like -'- and with each but containing two at even feur peeple, that means an aver- age of perhaps $50,000 being spent every weekend by residents oi nearby cities such as Toronto, Hamilton, Barrie, Orillia anti, in recent ears, many even fi-om pylted _ _ates pbints such a Bu!-

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