Post by Rick (Admin) on May 11, 2013 11:37:44 GMT -5
Parking huge issue in 1934
Parking, parking, parking! Council institutes a 20-minute parking limit on Third Avenue and Pine
Street in 1934. A few weeks later, after a petition was presented to council signed by every
merchant (except two who were out of town) on those streets, the time limit was raised to 45
minutes – much rejoicing by all!
TIMMINS - All the news that was fit to print, circa 1934, in Timmins.
Surprisingly, you can learn a lot about how things were done just by looking through the proceedings of a council meeting. For example, after what looked like weeks of debate, it was decided to purchase a snow plough for the community.
The Walters Truck Company of Toronto, however, felt short-changed in the process and wanted to send their product up for a test drive. Unfortunately, they didn’t follow through with the demo, but sent a representative to the council meeting to insist that the town sign the bill of sale and pay up — then they would allow the town to try out the truck (!?).
To add to the confusion, many councilors wanted to get a plow with a diesel engine. Rumours that the diesels in use in Kapuskasing were sent back were rampant. Arguments grew testy.
Kap, council, however telegraphed Timmins to let them know that they did not return their diesel trucks, they worked just fine, thank you very much.
Council eventually decided to purchase the plow (with the diesel engine) they had on loan from another company, so the deal was closed. An amendment was quickly made to the resolution asking for the purchase of a cab for the truck at $250 (must have been cold for the operator).
At the same meeting, the tender for the town’s street signs was awarded to Marshall-Ecclestone, for the year 1934.
As well, George Hogg, secretary of the Horticultural Society was appointed the town “weed inspector” at a salary of $10 per year, while Eli Leblanc was appointed the scavenger at $1,175.00 per month (I assume he was the town waste management guru).
Finally, it was decided to place street lights on the following corners: Kirby and Cameron Streets; on Hemlock, north of Ninth Avenue; on Tamarack north of Eighth Avenue and on Spruce Street, north of Seventh Avenue. No objections were recorded.
A spectacular fire near the train station in South Porcupine destroyed two-storey sheds located behind the station.
Men on a passing train noticed the blaze at 4:30 a.m.
Here’s how it was reported. The telegraph officer at the station taped the message to Porquis Junction. The message was relayed by long distance to Chief Max Smith at South Porcupine. The brigade went out (even though technically the sheds were in Whitney Township, not their official jurisdiction).
The deep snow at the back of the building made it hard to get at the fire. ten barrels of gas that were stored in the sheds soon made the blaze a spectacular event as flames and gas shot 15 metres in the air.
Damage came to about $5,000 for the two sheds owned by Reamsbottom and Edwards and C.V. Gallagher. A new truck was also lost in the fire.
Schumacher Public School was presented with a large and valuable painting of F.W. Schumacher, at the request of the school administration. The painting was completed by Canadian artist Kenneth Forbes and was unveiled at a Friday night reception that Mr. Schumacher attended.
The evening featured the required speeches by local officials and Mr. Schumacher. A representative of the ratepayers thanked Schumacher for his numerous gifts to the community including the Christmas presents for the children. A number of short readings and musical presentations followed.
The event concluded with a reception and dance, with music performed by the Billie Brown Orchestra.
In other news, council decided that a new parking bylaw was needed. They unanimously voted that parking would be limited to 20 minutes on Third Avenue and Pine Street.
About three weeks after the bylaw was passed and enforced, local merchants presented Council with a petition asking that the time be limited to 45 minutes. Twenty minutes did not allow people to do business and ticketing them did nothing to improve anyone’s mood.
After much debate, the bylaw was changed and everyone got a little more time to do their shopping!
Finally, labourers doing excavation work for the new addition at the St. Mary’s hospital site were shocked to find a small box buried in the ground. Upon further examination, they discovered that the box contained the remains of a small child, estimated to be about one year old.
The coroner was called in and he confirmed that the child had died many years previously. The little one was buried with all due respect, holding a small crucifix in its hands.
No doubt the body was buried in the very early days of the camp, before the lot had been used for the hospital.
After the investigation was closed and everyone was satisfied there was no foul play involved.
The child was reburied in a new casket at the Timmins Cemetery.
— Karen Bachmann is the director/curator of the Timmins Museum and a local author.
www.timminspress.com/2013/05/10/history-parking-huge-issue-in-1934