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V'o‘IIUME LXXXII, NUMBER 43 Local Fire Brigade Answers 21 Calls Easter Week-end Mail Deliveries For Elgin Mills Beginning May7 House to house deliveries of mall in the Elgln Mills area will atart on Monday. May 7th, Post- master T. Willis 0! Richmond‘ Hill said recently. Authorized some time ago. the system has been awaiting the placing of numbers on buildings and the installation of letter-boxes. “Twenty-one grass fires over the Easter week-end in Richmond Hill - Mark- ham area" reported Fire Chief Alfred Stong. The staff and two reels of the Richmond Hill Fire Depart- ment responded to nine calls on Friday with the first alarm at 10:00 a.m.. eight calls on Saturday, one on Sunday, and three on Monday. all grass and rubbish fires. up to 60-70 acres in extent. To the east of Holy Cross Cemetery, 60 acres were burnt over before the burning was stopped, while at Topper's Farm, just north of Rlchmond Hill, 60‘ 70 acres were burnt over. At Newkirk Road. near the water tower, one and one- half acres were burnt. which was believed to have been started by two small boys, also it is believed that the fire in the vlclnty of the cemetery was caused by children who were seen "playing with fire". Fort- unatelv. the firemen were The proposed opening of the Richmond Bil-l Post Office on Wednesday afternoon, replacing the long-time weekly half-hoiiq day is stil‘l awaiting confinma- tion from post office authorities at Ottawa, said Mr. Willis. Staff rearrangements Ire involv- ed. AURORA : After threatening‘ to sue Consolidated Building Corporation, the company res- ponsible for creating the Regen- ey Acres Subdivision, for $6,000. town council agreed to accept £3,327 in full settlement. "playing with fire". Fc unately, the firemen w« able to prevent any loss homes adjacent to the ar burnt over. Due to this unusually dry season, Chief Stong strongly advises that res- idents start "no fires of any kind â€"- whether leaves. rubbish. or even in an in- cinerator" until the rains lessen hhe danger. Though lectures and publicity have been given on the subject of fire prevention. Chief Ston‘g advises parents to exercise greater control over children playing with matches or bonfires. which have recently resulted in heavy fire losses. Township Plans To Bill Fire-setters Grass Fire Swept 500 Vaughan Acres At Easter A five hundred acre grass fire, though-t to be the largest in ma- ny years, swept over five farm properties in Vaughan Town- ship last Friday. A five hundred acre grass fire, buildings were in the vicinity. thought to be the largest in ma- only two sheds were reported ny years, swept over five farm lost. properties in vaugha" Town' Three pum-pers were used to 'hip “St Fuday‘ fight the blaze. An estimated 35 The blaze, which started in in volunteers plus residents of the pile of rubbish near the north area helped bring the fire under town line between the 7th and control. 8th Concessions of Vaughan Township. is thought to have . . . tal of 27 fires over the holiday been Started by chllmen' week-end. with 15 of them oc- Blown by a strong wind, the curring Friday, nine on Satur- llre raced south east and West day and three Sunday. Many of over five dltferent properries them were grass fires started Vaughan Township had a to- and although a number ofby residents who with spring cleaning in mind, decided to clean up the long, brown. un- sightly grass. Some of these residents will find their spring cleaning bills rather high, as Vaughan Township plans to charge many of those who de- liberately set the grass fires. A two car garage and auto. thought to be a 1958 Meteor or Monarch, were lost early Sat- urday in a fire in the Glen Shield Developments in the township. The blaze, which oc- curred about 12 am. was re- ported by a passer-by. l The following statement was handed to this newspaper Tuesday morning by Mayor Haggart of Richmond Hill. and is published at his request. "At its last two public meet- liquor plebiscite the principals der local improvement. Cost logs the council of the Town of behind the hotel development the balance of the storm is Richmond Hill repudiated cer- were thoroughly and adequate- timated at $12,000. tain misrepresentations of thely investigated, and in our op- Whilst this council has facts surrounding its decision inion are desirable individualsibond from the developers, “At its last two public meet- liquor plebiscite the principals ings the council of the Town of behind the hotel development Richmond Hill repudiated cer- were thoroughly and adequate- tain misrepresentations of ther investigated. and in our op- facts surrounding its decision inion are desirable individuals to authorize the forthcoming for this development. should the liquor vote. The local press car-people of Richmond Hill indicate ried no report on this aspect of that this facility is acceptable either meeting despite the fact to them. that it is their custom to do so. In addition, thorough consid- In recognition of its responsi» eration was given to our exist- bility to see that the electorate ing services and police and fire is adequately informed. your protection. Our staff studied council issues the following the plus before they were sub. statement: mitted to council, and we were Statement of Facts Leadinx Up lssured that no additional men. To the Liquor Pleblsclte 01‘ eqm'Pment would be neces- The developers of the pro~ 531‘! to Operate 0111' fire 01' 1301‘ posed hotel are Mr. John Fisher ice departments should the hotel and Mr. Walter Portway of the locate here. Our sewer and wat- City of Toronto. Mr. Portway er facilities are adequate to is in the importing business, and serve the site on which the ho- operated Y.M.C.A. restaurants tel is to be built. A storm sewer for four years until recently. to service this portion of Yonge Mr. Fisher is an architect. At Street has been needed for no time were these names with- some years, and the need was held by council, and were avail- aggravated with the installation able to any citizen upon direct of a used car lot. The develop- request. Your council has never crs have agreed to contribute withheld information to which $5,000 towards the cost of this the public is entitled. storm _se_we_r_, which. is more n: ‘_ Mayor Haggart Issues Statement Public Library, 56 Yonge N., Richmond Hill, Ont. ,ty of Toronto. Mr. Portway er facilities are adequate to ommendatlon for a "Yes" or in the importing business, and 58m the Site 0“ WhiCh the h0- “No” vote. but is for the pur- nerated Y.M.C.A. restaurants tel is to be built. A storm sewer‘pose of advising the voters so 1‘ four years until recently. to service this portion of Yongelmat they may be getter m. 1'. Fisher is an architect. At Street has been needed for formedj' itlme were these names with- some years, and the need was â€"â€"77 _r A â€" ) 21d by council, and were avail- aggravated with the installation NOTE: Our policy in re- »le to any citizen upon direct of a used car lot. The develop- gird to the publication of quest. Your council has never ers have agreed to contribute news and with regard to lthheld information to which $5,000 towards the cost of this the coming plebiscite is e public is entitled. storm sewer, which is more tully outlined elsewhere in Prior to deciding to hold the the: their shun would be \p- this issue. (Editor) .55 of areas Saturday was tree planting day on Beechy Drive, in Bever- lly Acres. In a program under the direction of the civic im- provement committee. Mr. W. J. Ankenman, chairman, a small committee of interested resi- dents on Beechy Drive were formed into a committee about the first of AprilnArmed with Saturday was tree planting street, and found a hearty re- day on Beechy Drive, in Bever- spouse. 0f thirty-eight homes on 1y Acres. In a program under the street several already had the direction of the civic im- given a lead, and planted trees. provemen-t committee, Mr. W. Some others are planning to J. Ankenman, chairman, a small plant trees individually. Of the committee of interested resi- balance eighteen chose one of dents on Beechy Drive were the trees recommended â€" ten formed into a committee about chosing Norway Maple, five the first of April. Armed with Mountain Ash, and one each of a booklet of directions and reâ€" Schwedler Maple, Crimson King commenda-tions; these in turn- Maple, and Horsech-estnu‘t. A approached every home on the load of topsoil was ordered buildings were in the vicinity. only two sheds were reported lost. Bingo! And just in time tor Easter! Mrs. D. Corkin of the Elgin Mills Sideroad. who for the past four years has been a regular patron of the Richmond Hill Lion’s Bingo, was on Monday last, the lucky win-neu- of the $400 jackpot. What is she going to do with the money? "Just en- joy it" â€" and with five children ranging in age from three to eleven years, she will certainly derive a great deal of pleasure from doing just that! were thoroughly and adequate- timated at $12,000. . 0 1y investigated. and in our 013- Whilst this .Council has n00 iniortimarde desirablet inlflivigutils bond from the developers, wle‘| or s eve 0 men . s on e feel assured that the hotel wi 1i . , ~ ' People Of RiChl’If’lond Hill indicate be constructed as has been in- A large dePUtatmn 9f proper- There “a; themeroqleeritwlgag that this facility is acceptable dicated, since the owner; of ty owners from Summit Estates,!the ownellzlf’ e p De 3:“. of to them. the property, W. A. Stephenson 0n Gamble Road south of Jet-tryi Gou _a mnglrd in_ In addition, thorough consid- and Sons_ hold a firm ofier to ferson: told Vaughan 'lownshll; Vaudghatn Stigf‘i‘s‘figa pit fiow oration was given to our exist- purchase the property by the Councli Monday that a grave Iten s o eert owners fa.“ that ing services and police and fire developers (not an option) and pit which they felt “'35 500“ torevervdpfifp a fiaid to have been protection. Our staff studied the municipality has a signed be established 011.3531“ OPPOS‘ t9“. 31 lng’recently indicated the plans before they were sub- agreement submitting to archi- ite their properties would turn carrle 'tlilllld robabl}; be estab. ‘mitted to council. and we were tectural control by ourselves. What was termed by their it and“? th pvery near future assured that no additional men The agreement was drawn up=590kesmfin 35 ‘0“9.“ the bettver“ 15: m angmative to the m; or equipment would be neces- by the Municipal Solicitor. “residential areas in the tcmn-i Ads. in a in of a prohibi. sary to operate our fire or p01- D. Lucas, Q.C. iship" into one of the worst. “he 18b8_1§\v55reggarding the es_ ice departments should the hotel The publication of these facts ‘ “e y Eric Baker, former deputy-Itabushment of a pit, the group locate here. Our sewer and \Vat- is not to be construed as 3 rec“ ...... -0 vnru annehin andinm mmm m nag: a resolu- be’hindithe hotel development the balance _of the storm is es I Mrs. D. Corkin Wins $400 Bingo The residents of Beechy Drive in Beverley Acres combined efforts last week-end to carry out a tree planting project on their street. Grouped around one of the trees are junior helpers Andrew Duncan with the rake and Mike Sale stamping Beechy Drive Residents Tree Planting Project Iâ€"BaThurst - Langstaff School By \Discard Thornhill Shift System At the York Central District' High School Board, Tuesday evening, it was announced that plans for operating Thornhill Secondary School on a shift sys- tem in September, 1962, have‘ been discarded. Due to the fact that the Department of Educa- tion did not look with favour on the shift plan, and the num- erous phone calls to the trus- tees since the plan was announ- ced, the planning committee is exploring an alternative plan. This will probably consist of the erection of pontables and the re-distribution of students among the four high schools. “gm NOTE: Our policy in m- nrd to the publication of news and with regard to the coming plebiscite is tully outlined elsewhere in am lune. (Editor) “In Essentials Unity; in Non-Essentials Liberty: in all things Charity” RICHMOND HILL, ONTARIO, THURSDAY, APRIL 26,1962 {5% through the local horticultural society The order for stakes and trees was placed locally. The cost to the householder varied ac- cording to the species of the tree and its size. The average cost for tree, loam, and stake for the eighteen plan-tings was $7.50. The post-planting enthu- siasm on Beechy Drive would appear to be even greater than that before. “Summit Estates Protest A small attendance of interested citizens turned ‘ out to the local library on Tuesday evening to hear a discussion of the questions before the electorate on Saturday of this week concerning the establishment of dining lounges, and liquor lounges in Richmond Hill. After a few introductory remarks, Mr. Ralph Kerslake, the chairman for the evening, called on Mr. Ivan Tout- ; lofi', chairman of the “Vote Yes” Committee to speak, ‘» in keeping with the invitation which had been extended _ to him to make a statement at the meeting. Mr. Toutlofl‘ thanked the chairman for the priv- , ilege, and said he was really more interested in asking ‘ a few questions than in making a statement. As the ‘ chairman did not feel that such a question and answer , period would serve the purpose of the meeting, Mr. ., Toutloff sat down. Ivan Toutlofi Is Guestl ‘VoteNo'PuincMeeting down the fill. Taking part in this civic improve- ment project were (left to right) John Dickinson, Peter Sale, Carmen Zicardi, William Patterson, Arthur Duncan, W. J. Ankenman, C. Trumphour and F. L. Smart. (Photo by Lagerquist) Mr. Walter Scudds, manager provisions of the Liquor Lie-1 (or the “Vote No" Committee, ense Act of Ontario. “We do not then spoke briefly. He stressed know how many premises would the fact that the vote on Satur- be licensed". the speaker said. day was not concerning a hotel, We do know that in Oakville, but. on whether dining lounge which voted Yes in 1959, there licenses or liquor lounge lic- are today 7 dining lounges, 5 enses would be made available .in Richmond Hill under the (Continued on Page 7) At the same time the board has decided to pro- ceed immediately with plans for a new 1,000 pupil high school in the Bathurst-Lang- staff area originally plan- ned for 1964. Tentative plans now call Vote Yes" Chairman A large deputation of proper- There was some question if ty owners from Summit Estates, the owner of the property. Dar- on Gamble Road south of Jef- ryl Goulding, a member of fer-son, told Vaughan Township Vaughan Planning Board, in- Council Monday that a gravel tends to establish a pit. How- pit which they felt was soon to ever, property owners felt that be established on a farm oppos- test drilling, said to have been ite their properties would turn carried out recently, indicated what was termed by their a pit would probably be estab- nnnlrnemnn 1.: "nm: of the better lished in the very near future. Eric Baker, former deputy- reeve of York Township and spokesman for the group whichi included about 33 property own- ers, urged council to pass a by- law to prohibit expansion of a pit said to be already in exis- tence. However. the question arose whether council had the authority to prohibit a pit or whether it could only control and regulate establishment of a gravel pit, mmm The clvic improvement com- mittee acknowledges the valu- able assistance of chairman Mr. Russ Tilrt. of town park's board and of Mr. W. S. Urquhart, preSident of the horticultural society. Anyone interested in a repeat performance on an- other street is asked to call Mr. Ankenman, Mr. Gordon Cald- well or Mr. William Patterson, members of the committee. There is still time to plant. for its erection in 1963. To this end a meeting is being ar- ranged between the board and‘ the planning directors of Mark- ham and Vaughan Townships, Richmond Hill and Metro Tor- onto to assist the board in de- termining the size and type of school required. As an alternative to the im- mediate passing of a prohibi- tive by-law regarding the es- tablishment of a pit, the group asked council to pass a resolu- tion restricting heavy traffic on the roads in the area, the thought being that gravel trucks and equipment would be res- tricted. Reeve Albert Rutherford quickly quasheg this idea. L- Council finally decided to have Mr. Baker meet with the township’s solicitor at a com- mittee meeting this week to dis- cuss the problem. WW Editorial The Liquor Referendum On Saturday, Richmond Hill citizens vote to de- cide whether or not the sale of liquor by the glass may be licenced in this municipality. This will be an important decision and we trust it will be made‘ after calm and careful consideration. 0n so contentious a subject there is sure to be a wide difference of opinion, but we hope it can be decided with a minimum of ill-feeling or bitterness. Certainly it is an issue on which there will be honest differences of opinion, and every citizen is entitled to his own views. Let us never forget the other fellow is entitled to his opinion, and let us not ascribe to him unworthy motives, though his opinion may differ from our We have no Wis We have no wish to tell anyone how to vote, but on so important an issue we feel we have a duty to clarify the questions and state clearly our own posi- tion. WE WILL VOTE “NO” TO BOTH QUES- TIONS. We do not advocate prohibition and we did not oppose the establishment of a government liquor store and beer retail outlet in the town. We did not oppose that proposal because we felt there was a reasonable demand for such a service, and the estab- lishment of a government store was a needed con- venience for many of our people. Frankly, we heard no demand for the sale of liquor by the glass here until an application was made by a group of Toronto financiers who decided that such licences could be highly profitable. Despite claims to the contrary, we think a defi- nite moral issue is involved. The licencing of bars. dining rooms, restaurants and night clubs introduces the private profit motive into the handling of liquor which we regard as undesirable. The experience of the years and the record of history here and in many lands has convinced us that private profit, man’s greed for the almighty dollar, and the liquor business, make a dangerous combination. We are not at all impressed by the argument that a “yes” vote will bring a solution to our problem of a spiralling tax rate, attract increased business for our merchants, start an industrial boom, or make Richmond Hill the convention centre of Canada. We have heard much about the “prestige” hotel which is to be built here. We are told it will be run by “prestige” people and will have a large assessment yielding a large amount of taxes. We have talked to many who have been favourably impressed by the “prestige” hotel picture, and if that were the'issue might be inclined to vote “yes”. The simple truth, of course, is that there will be no picture of a hotel on the ballots handed to the voters on Saturday. The truth is there is absolutely no Quarantee that the “prestige” hotel‘described in ‘ licences will be issued by 'in y E 5 t . The simple truth, of course, is that there Will be no picture of a hotel on the ballots handed to the voters on Saturday. The truth is there is absolutely no guarantee that the “prestige” hotel described in such glowing terms will ever be built here or any- where else, no matter how the vote goes. If the people vote “yes” it may be built and it may not. If it is built it is quite possible it may be the “pres- tige” hotel referred to in the campaign literature and it may be operated by “prestige” people of the highest character and reputation. If after it operates for six months and the syndicate can sell at a profit, it may be sold, and it may be sold to people and interests who are not concerned about operating a “prestige” hotel. Several other hotels may be built and they may be operated by people whose main claim to prestige is in the underworld. The truth is that Saturday the people of Rich- mond Hill are asked to vote “yes” or “no” to the granting of licences for the sale of liquor by the glass in bars, dining rooms and restaurants. The point to remember is that once the people vote to open the doors to licencing, their authority stops. The the provincial authorities. . We have found that some have the mistaken idea the local council has power and authority to limit the number of liquor selling licences to be issued. A local town council has no more authority in this matter than the trustees of a police village in Northern Ontario. This is not an opinion, it is a matter of record in many Ontario towns, villages and townships. The record is there for all to see. The record is clear that once a municipality by a vote opens the flood-gates for a wide-open sale of liquor by the glass, the number of licences issued appears to relate only to the amount the traffic will bear. The record is there for all who care to look at , of municipal councils, ratepayers' groups or churches have been of no avail preventing the granting of licences if the right people wanted them. Despite protests, liquor-selling licences have been issued next door to a place of worship. It could happen here. There are some who favour the wide-open sale of liquor by the glass and think that a number of bars and night clubs would improve life in the Hill and enhance the value of property here. These people are entitled to their opinion and undoubtedly should vote “yes” on Saturday. We hope no one will vote tige” licence to sell one will vote “yes” in the hope of decreasing the local tax rate, improve local business or attract new industry. We respectfully suggest anyone who does is chasing a rainbow at the end of which is no pot of gold, only grief and disappointment. There is now in progress in Ontario a Crime Probe, and already in evidence there have been start- liquor-selling establishments and the bright lights of i “yes” in the belief that there will be only one “pres- A liquor by the glass. We hope no ' "HAH ling revelations. The shocking disclosures in the field of crime and corruption and to liquor-selling licences and private club charters should give Richmond Hill citizens real cause for concern and a second careful look at the question on , the ballots Saturday. The tightening of administrative practice in Metro likely to follow the probe will mean a lot of undesirable characters will be seeking new licenced locations. Licences in Richmond Hill on the fringe of Metro and on busy Number 11 Highway could be very attractive. This is a very real danger and is a their close relationship 1 0WD ’H’dM’E PAPER OF THE DISTRICT SINCE 1878 SINGLE COPY 10c APPLIANCES SALES - REPAIRS - PARTS Her-ridge Electric - 'I'V 40 Levendale Road, Richmond Hill Town's Works Department Active 3; With Wide Variety Of Projects feature of the problem which causes a. great deal of concern. If you vote “No” there will be nothing to attract these displaced mobsters to Richmond Hill. During the campaign, this newspaper has been accused of suppressing news, and refusing to publish advertising for the “vote yes” committee. Both accusations are false. The truth is we published advertising for the “vote yes” committee and for the “vote no” com- mittee. Selling advertising is a very necessary part of our business. We are glad to sell advertising space to all political parties, all organizations and indivi- duals, irrespective of race, creed, colour or religion. We have, of course, our responsibility as publishers, and accepted advertising must meet the standards set by all responsible newspapers. We reject advertising which we know contains misstatement of fact, and we reject advertising which is authorized only by an anonymous person or organ- ization. We reject advertising also when no satisfac- tory arrangement is made for payment. We do not reject advertising because the views may differ from our own. The charge that we suppress news is false. This newspaper reports news events honestly and fairly, and we have a record of eighty-four years’ continuous service to this community to prove it. We reported public meetings held by both sides; we published letters with a variety of viewpoints, and have tried to be fair to everyone. We do not print propaganda in the guise of news and we are not deceived by propaganda booby traps, no matter how cunningly they may be laid. We have a deep sense of respon- sibility to our readers, and no one can dictate to us what we shall include in our news and editorial Shift Education Burden Promised Ontario Grant To Help PropertyOwner The direct load of the cost of education on tax-paying pro- perty owners will be lightened somewhat, according to a recent announcement by Ontario’s Preâ€" mier John Robarts. A few days before the prorogation of the legislature he said that the pro-‘ vincial special grant for pupils would be increased to $30 for elementary school students. next year, in place of the $15 per pupil paid this year. columns. During the current referendum campaign this newspaper has been subjected to pressures and threats in an endeavour to have us lend support to the proposal for wide-open liquor licences in Rich- mond Hill. We refuse to be intimidated or pressured and we want to make it very plain that our views are not for sale, nor are our principles on the auction block for either gold or assessment. We have no axe to grind. We have no special interest to serve other than the general good and welfare of Richmond Hill. We take second place to no one in a sincere desire to contribute to Richmond Hill’s progress and welfare. The issue Saturday is not one of wets or drys, nor is it saints and sinners, or the question of whether one takes a drink or does not take a drink. The big question is do you want Richmond Hill to be the kind of town it could be with wide-open liquor licences? The grant. said Business Ad- ministrator Kenneth Turton of the Richmond Hill Public School Board, is based on the average daily attendance of pupils and to draw the amount one hund- red per cent would need the perfect attendance of all resi- dent pupils. As it is. he estim- ates that the board will receive More grading was done on Bayview Avenue and more dustlayer applied prior to the Easter holiday, Works Commis- sioner Otto thalen reported. As much work as possible would be done on the road continuously, he said. 7,; A .L:.. Referendum voting will be Saturday, April 28th. The ballot is secret. There is no need to tell anyone how you intend to vote. There is no need to tell any- one how you voted. The issue is up to you â€" to you and your conscience. Vote if you like, and vote as you like. If someone attempts to tell you that you must vote, or how you must vote, call an officer of the law. Bayview Avenue Work Continued vuuuuuvu..-_, , __- Other works department activ- ities include the addition of an- other floor to the municipal building, plus alterations which will provide for a per- manent magistrate’s court and offices, for which rental will be paid to the town. The contractor is right up to schedule with his work. Preliminary work on the in- stallation of additional stop lights on Yonge Street is under way. This includes alterations ‘to the corner of Centre and Yonge Streets, near United Church property. In connection with the installation of stop lights, Works Commissioner thalen said that this would postpone the painting of new zone lines on the streets. The old lines have practically dis- appeared durlnz‘hhc winter. “I. 4 - 3211 of $44,000 from the province in '0- 1963, roughly double the amount ed at the $15 grant this year. ‘nt High School}qu -v. 1, -_L__| L115 n uvuvv- v â€". The York Central High School Board received a special grant of $5 per pupil this year, said Business Administrator J. Ash- worth. The total is approximate- ly $10,000. The increase of the provincial grant to $40 would mean, in very rough figures -â€" rough because of rapidly-chang- ing attendance figures â€" would bring the amount up to $96,000. The increase, in terms of the Richmond Hill tax rate, would be equivalent to a saving of approximately one and a third mills. The total grant increase is, of course, spread across the whole high school system which includes Richmond Hill, Bay- vleW, Thomhill and Woodbridge. Negotiations are also procee- ding 1n connection with the widening of Yonge Street North from Levendale Road to Elegin ‘Mills Road. This is expected to be widened to four lanes, through an arrangement to be reached with Vaughan Town- ship, in whose territory the west side of Yonge Street in the Elgin Mills area lies. Daylight Saving Starts On Sunday Daylight saving starts in Richmond Hill early on the morning of Sunday, April 29th, in keeping with most municipalities in Ontario. Town council passed the necessary resolution at its last meeting. Watches and clocks should be turned ahead one hour. To avoid the annual confus« ion as to whether it's for- ward or back just remem- ber that we are going FORWARD 1m» mmqer.