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Public Library, 56 Yonge N., Richmond Hi 11', Ont . 5 Jne . 5â€"4â€"343- VOLUME LXXXII, NUMBER 44 R things ICHMOND HILL, ONTARIO, THURSDAY, MAY 3, 1962 6hr Tthrral . “In Essentials Unity; in Non-Essentials Liberty; in all Charity" and you will find many helpful hints to save Save Shepping Steps LOOK IN ADVERTISING COLUMNS 01", "THE LIBERAL" shopping steps. ON SALE EVERY THURSDAY. HOME PAPER OF THE DISTRICT SINCE 1878 SINGLE COPY 10c: lVIAJOBITY FAVOR LlllllOR L|6ENBES Flashback In History - Old Files Tell Story Of Over Century Long Liquor Battles Richmond Hill Dry Since 1906 Reversed Decision in Liquor Referendum â€" First Hotel Erected Here in 1806 -â€" One Time Six Hotels and Six Grocery Stores Sold Liquor â€" Distillery Worked Around the Clock â€" Banish the Bar Rallying Cry of Early Local Option Contestsâ€"- Richmond Hill voters last Saturday gave a sub- stantial majority in favor of the retail sale of liquor and as soon as licences can be issued there will be legal sale by the glass in this municipality which has been “dry” since 1906. Repeal of the local option by-law required a sixty per cent vote and the ballot on the licencing of dining lounges received a majority considerably in excess of the requirement. 0n the issue of cocktail bars the vote was much closer, but still a substantial majority in avor. It has been reported in error many times during the campaign just concluded that “Richmond Hill has been dry since 1917 or forty-five years”. We have many newcomers in our midst and it is pardonable and understandable that they are not familiar with the history of our town. To put. the record straight we request of Donald Taylor, who searched the eighty-four year published elaborate plans for old files of this newspaper and the remodelling of the then 01:- found an interesting story of crating Richmond Hotel, located almost a century long battle at the corner of Yonge and Ar- with John Barleycorn. nold Streets. Previous to Saturday’s suc- On November 15th. 1935, cessful effort to repeal local op- Richmond Hill voters went to lion there were three unsuccess- the polls and registered a de- ful attempts with votes in 1909, cisive "no" majority. To repeal 1912 and 1935. the local option by-Iaw would In the year 1935 the mumci- have required then, as now, a pal council at the request of a sixty per cent vote. The result petition signed by the required was that the people voted "no" number of ratepayers granted with a majority of 363. The vote I vote on local option at the was “no” 538, "yes" 175. I Local Lads A feature of the vote which should be noted by present day citizens is that the vote record- ed on that occasion was 30 per cent of the possible. compared to a 62 per cent vote last Sat- urday. This was the first time women had a vote on the local option issue, and it should be remembered that in the 1906. 1909 and 1912 votes women did not have the franchise. In 1906 when local option first carried, Richmond Hill was a small village and the campaign was featured by a frank con- demnation of all the evils of the open bar. The local option by-law was first carried in 1906 after many years of dedicated Break & Enter Theft Nets $100 At Centre Richmond Hill Police are in- vestigating two break-ins which occurred in Richmond Heights Centre sometime early Tuesday morning. About $100 was taken from the two shops, Jack Fraser Men's wear and the Stag shop. Police report that similar break-ins occurred in Toronto, campaigning by temperance workers. Three years later it was endorsed and again in 1912. In 1906 there were recorded 177 votes. and in 1909 205 elec- tors exercised the franchise. In the 1912 vote the majority for the drys was highest of all but the total vote had decreased. The results in 1912 gave 126 in favor of the by-law and 44 in favor of repeal. a majority of 82 for local option. This was taken as a most decisive victory at the time and until 1935 no further attempts were made on behalf of repeal. According to the files of The Liberal the first hotel was cr- ected here in 1806 and for one hundred years the liquor traffic was legal business. One century after the erection of the first hotel the citizens of Richmond Hill by their votes placed a ban on John Barleycorn and adopted local option. Now just a little more than half a century later Richmond Hill with a voting population of more than 8,000 has reversed that decis'ion. A perusal of our files reveals interesting sidelights in the his- tory of the town and the long struggle against the evils of strong drink and the open bar. Newmarket As the files reveal those were the days of the Temperance So- and Barrie the same night. Win Mason Bowlig Clssic cieties. pledge cards, old time revivals and all out war on the open bar and the evils of the treating system. The local option battle of 1906 was keenly fought accord- ing to all newspaper accounts. Even some strong advocates of temperance were doubtful ab- out the local option by-law. Some feared it would be im- possible of enforcement. Some feared the cancellation of hotel licences would so impair the ac- commodation for the travelling public as to be a serious conse- quence for the village. Some argued it would be bad for business. In 1906 the local option byâ€" law carried and after three years of trial was sustained. Then again in 1912 after six years of local option the people by a most decisive majority de- cided the new conditions were to be preferred to the old. In summing up the case urging en- dorsation in 1912 this news- paper said, "As a result of local option the village has been ben- efitted and many homes have been blessed.” The election in 1906 was no easy walkaaway. The result of the vote Which Dl'ciught local option here Was "“for the by- (Continued on page 3) a“ a . A team of bantam bowlers from Allencourt the Mason Trophy at the National Bantam Bowling Champion- ship held last Saturday at the Allencourt Lanes. The trophy went west last year with a team from Lloydminster. Sask., capturing the prize trophy. (By Ron Craine) team of bantam bowl at 7 p.111. It soon turned A bowlers into a tooth and nail fight he- Lanes won lan, Brian Thomas, Jack Mason, John Jim Hoult. outset of the final round it wa> ner.' Beach Lanes, evident that these were THE posmble victory, scenting a cooled out Grouped around the trophy after their starry victory are (left to right) Allencourt Manager Doug. Miller, Robert Cal- Beaton, Ian Cameron, David Webster. Stephen Royston and Professional Instructor (Photo by George Chaplin) wreathed in huge grins as spon- sor Jack Mason presented the from Allencourt Lanes won the tween Beach Lanes from Tor- teams to beat in the tournament, slightly in the second game. The Mason Trophy to the team. The Mason Trophy Bantam Bowling onto and the Allencourt ream; championship.I the smoke and excite-Ibowled _ Iment had died down the Allen-game with Allencourt bowling ow Allencourt Victory was made the closeness of the play. court team had achieved a nar-‘a total of 960. championships last Saturday. for the Throughout the long day 95IWhen teams of boy and girl bowlers vied avidly for the championship, awards. Two teams bowling in row 4 pin victory. bowling a the final flight of the chamoion- total of 1925 pins to Beach boys re no’ result was in doubt to the final Lanes ball of the final frame and a first wild cheer went up as the nar- Parents and spectators we disappointed. Beach 1002 for their official. As the second game of the Steve Royston. Ian Cameron. two game set got under way David Webster. Brian Thomas. win capped months of pre- paration for the event and vic- tory was doubly sweet due to ,Girl Winners The girls championship was won by a team of girls frorr ship play provided most of the Lanes‘ 1921. It was a terrfic the Allencourt team, down by lohn Beaton and Robert Cal- Parkway Lanes in St. Catha- drama and excrement. The final flights began I tolvery fine bowlers. From 1 5“ a bowling effort by two teams ofa total of 42 pins. continued lan. all members of the victor-Irines. Bowling like old profes- the to bowl in a determined manâ€" ious Allencourt Bantams, werei (Continued on Page 12) Honourary Chairman For Peace Research R. D. Little Mr. R. D. Little, well known and highly respected citizen of Richmond Hill, has been named honourary chairman of the loc- al campaign for funds to support the Canadian Peace Research Institute headed by former nu- clear physicist Dr. Norman Z. Alcock. Richmond Hill Town Council decided Monday it will have to clarify its policy regarding the amount of the lot fees to be charged on lots which are to be used for apartment develop- ments. The matter was brought forcibly to the attention of council when builder Ben Free- dman sought a refund on the $1,950 in lot fees he had already paid on three lots on Colborne Ave. (plan 2383, lots 268 and 269). He had originally intend- ed to build three houses on the site but has decided to build a 35 saute apartment building in- 5 ea . Mayor Declares Interest At the start of the debate, Maryor James Haggart declared he had an interest in the matter and thus could not take part in the discussion or vote. Recent provincial amendments in muni- cipal legislation now make it Imperative that a person hold- ing public office declare any personal interest they have in any matter coming before coun- cil. Once they have declared their interest they must then refrain from entering the dis- cussion or voting. For several years now the municipality has been charging a lot fee of $500 for single lots and $800 in the case of semi- detached lots plus $150 per lot for park purposes. “This whole matter is very serious”, stated Reeve Floyd Perkins. “Under present legislation a man erect- hg an apartment building would only have to pay a lot fee of $800." The reeve suggested Town To Clarify Policy On Apartment Lot Fees Make $250 Craniâ€" To Curtain Club Richmond Hill Town Council in session Monday unanimously granted the Curtain Club $250. to help defray the expense of send- ing a full complement of actors and stage crew to the Dominion Drama Festi- val in Winnipeg on May 14 to 19th. Mrs. Margot Crack and Mr. Dennis Thatcher waited on council to re- quest assistance. Mr. That- cher stated that the club wished to send an extra four people over and above the number allowed for by the festival officials. He es- timated this would cost an extra $600. The club hopes to raise $300. to $350, through donations. The local group will present their award win- ning play, "Don't Listen Ladies" on the final night of the festival before Their Excellencies Governor Gen- eral and Mrs. Vanier. that apartments should be charged on the basis of the number of suites they would contain. “These builders are getting too smart”, remarked Reeve Perkins. He estimated that some 100 apartment suites will be built in the Bayview Avenue South area this year. Councillor White Opposed Deputy-reeve Tom Broadhurst reported that the finance com‘ mittee recommended that Mr. Freedman not receive any re- fund on his lot fees subject to confirmation by the solicitor of the legal position of the municipality in keeping the money. Councillor A1 White who challenged the recommend- ation of the finance. committee maintained that Mr. Freedman had a good case for a refund from the town, as the planning board has changed back his property from three separate lots to just one lot. In reply both Reeve Perkins and Council- lor Margaret Southwell said that the building inspector had already spent considerable time on the property at public ex- pense and that the town should be compensated accordingly. Councillor White who opposed the majority decision of coun- cil felt the solicitor should make a definite ruling on the matter. The finance committee, plan- ning board and solicitor will all be asked to further study the matter. The actual setting of a new schedule of lot fees for apartment developments will be the sole responsibility of council. In a liquor referendum last Saturday Richmond Hill voters voted over 64 per cent in favor of licencing dining lounges for the sale of liquor. This was better than four per cent more than the sixty per cent re- quired to repeal the Local Option By-law passed in 1906. On the question of licences for cocktail lounges the vote was just two short of the required 60 per cent. It has been intimated a recount will be asked for when a County Judge will rule on the count of accepted bal- lots, and also on the validity of 215 rejected ballots. In the count by deputy-returning officers ballots not marked with the required X are rejected. Some- times in a recount a Judge might take the view that if the voter’s intent is clearly indicated the ballot may be counted. The requirement of an X, and only an X on 8. ballot is based on the need for preservation of the secrecy of the ballot. Any mark other than an X might identify the ballot of a particular voter. The law is designed to protect the secrecy of the ballot and eliminate as far as possible any corrupt practices in voting at all elections. Active and hard-working committees for both the “Vote Yes” and “Vote No” committees toiled hard throughout the day getting the voters to the polls. The deputy-returning officers, poll clerks, scrutineers and special constables at 21 polls did an excellent job at handling the voters and recording the votes. The count was completed in short order and the official returns announced by Returning Officer Russell Lynett shortly after nine o'clock. The official results released by Returning Officer Lynett Monday afternoon were as follows: Dining Lounge Licence Yes No Rejected Ballots 3165 1755 217 Yes â€" 64.329 per cent. Lounge Licence 2953 1970 215 Yes â€" 59.984 per cent The detailed results of the voting by subdivisions which follows shows that of 8175 eligible voters, 5188 exercised the franchise, a voting record of 62.45 per cent. Vote For Dining Lounge Licences Funeral Tuesday F. Hoover Victim Tragic Car Crash A tragic car accident in Fair- e.._â€".~l fax, Virginia, last Friday caused Hospital at Fairfax in a very the death of Fred Hoover, re- tired bank manager and one of Richmond Hill’s most highly esteemed citizens. His wife, Mrs. Bernetta Hoover suffered very Mayor Calls For Unity Now that the liquor vote is all over Mayor James Haggart urges all citizens to work together in a spirit of harmony and co-opera- tion for the good of the community. The mayor made his remarks at the close of Monday's town council meeting. He noted that feelings had run high during the campaign and that the town had been fairly well divided on the issue of liquor outlets. His Worship made an urgent call for unity and co-oper- ation. “Let's join together and boost our town". said Mayor Haggart. As an aftermath of the large number of spoiled ballots at Saturday's vot- ing, Councillor White mov~ ed a resolution that coun~ oil at the forthcoming con- vention of the Association of Ontario Mayors and Reeves petition the prov- incial government to allow the counting of ticks and checks on all ballots. At present only crosses are allowed. On Saturday. a large number of local citi- zens marked their ballots with ticks and checks con- trary to the election act which clearly states that only crosses made by the pencil in the voting booth can be counted. serious injury and is in the critical condition. The unfortunate accident oc- curred at thejunction of US. highways 29-211 and number 15. According to reports the Hoover car was hit broadside by a station wagon and spun into the path of another car. In addition to Mr. and Mrs. Hoover nine other persons were injured in the crash. I Fred Hoover died about three hours after the accident and Mrs. Hoover sustained broken arms. broken shoulder as well as severe head and other in- juries. She was in a semi-conâ€" scious condition when admitted to Hospital but has since lapsed into unconsciousness. She did (Continued on page 7) Plan For Early Hospital Start I Tenders for construction of' the new hospital at Richmond Hill were opened Wednesday and it is expected the contract will be awarded within a few days. I Building Committee Chairman. John Griffin reported to a meeting of York Central Hos- pital trustees this week that thirteen of the country‘s best contractors were figuring on the job. Following award of the contract, actual construction work on the Hospital to be built on the Vaughan Road just west of Richmond Hill town limits will await only final approval by the Ontario Hospital Com- mission and the Ontario Muni- cipal Board. Ceremonies to mark the turn- ing of the first sod and start of construction are planned for a date later this month. I l Polling Subdivision Yes No Rejected Ballots Advance 74 | 26 I 7 TMunTipal-Halt 97 I 94 I 6 W 3. McConaghy 101 I 63 I 10 4. McConaghy 86 I 57 | 7 5. Walter Scott 149 I 69 I 11 6. Walter Scott 133 I 55 I 7 7. Walter Scott __97 I 47 | 14 8. Walter Scott 229 I 87 I 13 9. Crosby Heights 152 I 68 I 9 10. Crosby Heights 227 I 74 I 10 11. Beverley Acres 178 | 70 | 10_ 12. Beverley Acres 202 I 56 I 19 13. Beverley Acres 187 I 78 I 14__ 14. Beverley Acres 137 I 57 I 18__ 15. Beverley Acres 220 I 74 I 16_ 16. O. )I. Mack'illop ‘ 120 l 93 I 9 17. Municipal 1111.: 111 I 59 I 3_ 18. o. M. MacKillop 132 I 86 I 1_ 19. Pleasantville 179 | 125 I 12__ 20. Municipal Hall 146 I 171 I 7â€" 21. McConaghy 7 80 I 88 I 8: _’ TTOTAI.’ '4920 3165 I 1755 I 217 Vote For Cocktail Lounge Licences Polling Subdivision Yes No Rejected ' Ballots Advance 7 7 ___7_1___2_7___’9__ TMidipalâ€"Hall 94 97 d6_ ’2. McConaghy _107._16_2____9_ ’3. RECâ€"om;th 97 68 ___9_ *4. Mcâ€"Conaghy 87 89 4_ BTW-alter Scott 131 88 10_ ’6.'wa1ter Scott , 125 62 8_ 7. Walter Scott I 92 55 11_ ’8. Walter Scott 206___109_|_14__ ’9. Crosby Heights 138 82 ‘ 8 10. Crosby Heights 202 97 12 11. Beverley Acres 165 83 10 T2. Beverley Acres 210 46 21_ 13. Beverley Acres 174 88 17* 14. Beverley-Acres 128 67 I 17 15. Beverley Acres 212 86 I 14_ 16. 0. M. )IacKillop 126 107 I 3* 17. Municipal Hall , 103 66 I 4_ 18. 0711.1'Iacki1'1‘op ' ‘ 121 96 I 2_ 19. Pleasantville 162 144 I 10 20. Municipal Hall 132 I 183 I 9 21. McConaghy I 70 98 I 8 TOTAL 4923 I 2953 I 1970 I 215