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hereas the amount in- "Where we Fall." a 1 came in the 80's,' 'meetings were not the tame affairs ated in By 7.30 the "Standing t would be packed there would be the chance of a politics seriously in those days. I rt Perry groaned under the load that was known a8 tho "Ration Deliehiure Debt." It seemed that some far- people, wearing smoked glasses, had voted a bonus to the d Railway to extend its line from Port Perry to Lindsay. "This obviated the boat trip. Soon we will be called on to vote a bonus to restore the boat service. Send Candidates, on being nominated, made their way to the front and unfolded their platform, which was generally about the width of that on which ropewalkers do their stuff and consisted for the most of a promise to reduce the mill rate to 15 when the Rail- road Debt was paid. As that happy millenium was far in the future the policy was a safe one. x However, the longest waits come to an end, if one has 'patience, and one fine, morning in 1896, Reeve William Ross, re- ceived a blow in the Solar Plexus when on being called down to the Bank he found, that owing to a printer's error, the debentures were due ahead of schedule. = : A Sinking Fund had been provided for this emergency but being called into, requisition it was found to be of such infintisimal proportions as not to be a factor. Ross, to his credit, met the issue squarely and did a very good piece of business for Port Perry by re-funding the $89,000 at the low rate of 4% and by introduc- ing the now popular "Equalized Annual Payment" system by which the interest is paid and the principal eliminated in a certain number of payments of like amount. For this service Ross nearly lost the Reeveship at the next election. - Joshua Wright thought the new system had a catch init. By a system of arithmetic, not encouraged in'the public schools, the ingenious Joshua had persuaded himself that the: new fangled idea was an insiduous scheme-to collect compound interest and-he soon had the town figuring... All who could multiply x four, orthought they could, borrowed a pencil and went to it. From the 'diveysity of results it would appear that some had over-rated their capacity. While many argued that Wright was wrong, not a few maintained that wrong was right. Tol Ay A hectic meeting, at which the platform was loaded with Vulgar Fractions and the Hall was filled with vulgar factions, was followed by a hectic week, but Ross came through with a majority. In course of time Mr. Ross' floation was retired--the last dollar of the incubus was paid but the promised millenium was deferred. Those seers, who foretold exemption from taxation, © ere not prophets-of the dole but simply honest citizens who were "standing with their backs to the aurora of the dawn of a new era-- which was to introduce new demands. At that time Port Perry had nothing and was contented and they thought that this idyllic condition could be perpetuated indefinitely. We had not a square foot of sidewalk, nor a yard of pavement, no electric light and no waterworks, while a herd of 160 cows roamed the sidewalks-- looking for a chance to butt in a gate and couple up with the cauli- flowers. They distained to walk in the ditches--after dark pedes- trians distained to walk on the sidewalks. There was a fable that they were useful in eating the grass down and keeping the streets neat but they had long since gotten wise to the lawnmower game and sounded a toot, toot, on their crumpled horns, which is Hol- stein for Ha! Ha!, when it was suggested to them. Into this atmosphere of contentment the ideas of cleaning-up, lighting-up, providing fire protection and a domestic supply of water intruded themselves and the courage with which they were met has already been reviewed. From year to year, block by block, miles of sidewalks have been laid and paid for, and year by year the debentures issued for the other improvements have been met till again we were just about to put salt on the tail of the millenium when something happened." The dormant, but once frequent cry of fire, was awakened one evening and a glance up the hill showed that the old Union School, the pride of 1873, was.doomed. : : The solid old timbers sent up a wonderful blaze to the delight of sundry small boys who not only enjoyed the reflection in the sky but the further reflection that it meant an extended vacation, |" for while jolly old school days are all right in their place, jolly old holidays are easier to take. In a short hour nothing remained but the insurance policy and a problem. Fortunately the former was about all that could reasonably be expected though, of course, entirely inadequate for rebuilding. In 1923 the sum of $4000 was spent in renovating, with very little to show for the expenditure. This outlay was financed by a debenture of like amount. : : ",. It was obvious to. all those in close touch with educational "requirements that further expenditure was imperative, if the school was to live up to its old traditions, and this impending trouble was a problem that members of the Board had constantly before them, seeking a solution. - Then the fire precipitated a crisis. ) The Board found themselves suddenly raised from poverty to affluence by having $35,000 insurance money in their pocket. But when building costs began to be considered their golden dream desolved into the thin air of other dreams and they found ai extent a rather unpleasant duty, as, it would be impossible to follow a course that was satisfactory to all. { | apparently. the Furid had been doing. most of the Sinking for on} ° two instalments. that a very hard task had devolved on their shoulders and to some} The proposals, and their alternati ves, which were' 'presented 3 COUNTY OF ONTARIO Bt Toon mit Tt er a mali Port a high tows | WARN = To be content with a Continuation School at pretty : OFF ICIAL A ING 5 h the same expenditure. = ' serge | ' ae ia ; . 7 ™ rd "To build separately both a High and a Publie ghost], "to Trick Owners: Be Toret permission from the Department to rebuild as a| LOADS MUST BE REDUCED DURING MARCH AND ARI, mion School. Co Peeks and Trailers and Horse-drawn cles shall vos Sots to meet the cost in. excess of the Road Organ Truck Drivers in Ontario County insurance money as follows: =. = = ctly enforcing and adhering to the For High School Purp 'Act pertaining to loads hauled dur- 5 $5406, we. will then have the total De- "Purposes outstanding on December 31st, without doubt a very large sum of moriey, and this debt cannot be treated lightly. It will fii 1. a burden for a few years because the other debentures, which are disappearing, and which we have spoken of lightly, never. les8 have to be assessed for until they are actually paid. (In regard to the Con- solidated debentures, I am sorry to have let an Sror intrude in last week's article. The figures from the interest column, $4380, were taken instead of the principal, $12,190, for which I take this opportunity to apologize.) aa Again, many are finding all taxes burdensome which accounts for the unusual amount in arrears and which with the deficit, pre- vented the Bank loan from being cleaned up at the end of the year as is desirable. Owing to this unusual condition I consider the council would be justified in not endeavouring, at present, to eliminate the floating debt by increasing the mill rate but confine their efforts to reducing expenditures and possibly discovering new sources of revenue. For instance, gas-pumps which use the streets should very properly pay for the privilege. Possibly a private party would lend $5000 while $3000 of the tax arrears could be brought in by a sharp reminder, this would pay the floating debt at the Bank, and leave 1932 clear to take care of its own requirements. I readily admit that under ordin- ary circumstances the recourse to a private loan is about the last thing I would sanction as, in fact, while a member of the Council, I'voted with the others to clean up this evil for such at that time it had become, as being a too convenient a method of sidetracking a deficit. Just now it would be the equivalent of a short term de- benture at no cost. In conclusion, let me say that the only millenium that we are reasonably sure of is the 53 millenium that the Council has struck for 1932. ; H. G. HUTCHESON. TI Tax Rate Reduced for 1932 To the Ratepayers of Port Perry: _ As chaifman of the Finance Committee of the Council, I'have been approached by a goodly number of taxpayers, regarding the tax rate and change of tax payment dates for the year 1932, so I thought it might be wise to put a few of the facts in writing so every taxpayer would know just what to expect. No doubt, you all know by this time, that the reason for the advance in tax rate for 1931, was merely done so as to be able to balance the budget and help reduce the deficit which had been growing each year, by not raising enough money in taxes to pay the yearly debts of the Corporation. The actual cash deficit at January 1st, 1931, was as follows: Accounts payable from 1930 ................ 980.00 + Overdraft in Bank account ...............7". 1170.00 * Notedque Bank's, |... .......v.... icin 10,000.00 Totalicagh deficit >... ..... cli. ooi aii. a0 $12,150.00 The actual cash deficit at January 1st, 1932 was as follows: Accounts payable from 1931 ............ Lene $200.00 Overdraft in bank account.................... 385.00 Note due Bank ........... AREER ia 8000.00 Transient Traders' license deposits ............ 275.00 $8860.00 You can readily see that our cash position has been improved in one year by $3290. This was made possible in the following manner: Amount saved on 1931 estimated expenditures $1000.00 "| navy hat and shoes. Miss Vera Forder spent the week end in Peterboro, to attend the Silver Wedding Anniversary of her aunt Mrs. Maynard Coward, on Monday, the 21st. Miss Isabelle Cawker spent the week end at her home in Port Perry. Mrs. W. Crawford and Mrs. Albert Wright were delegates to the 1 answered next month with "Sing, Say, or Pay". The program which was in charge of Mrs. Robt. Hamilton, was given as follows: a reading by Mrs. Clarence Parr, "The Turning Point"; a reading by Mrs. R. Mahood, "St. Patrick the Saint of Ireland"; a read- ing by Mrs. A, Bailey, "To My Grand- mother on St. Patrick's Day"; a read- ing by Mrs. L. Graham, a piano solo by Miss Florence Fair and community Grand Lodge meeting of the L.0.B.A. held in Peterboro last week. Mrs. Jos. Forder visited with rela- tives in Toronto last week. Mr. and Mrs, Ira Argue and family spent Sunday with Mr. and Mrs. E, Darcy. We are pleased to report that Mrs. Harvey Ginn, who was operated on in the Port Perry Hospital, on Thursday last, is progressing favorably, Messrs. Albert and Carl Wright, Percy VanCamp and Fred Tarvis, spent a few days in Cornwall last week. : ' Recent visitors were: Mr. and Mrs. Lorne Griffin and Jean, with Mr. and Mrs. Frank Stinson, Mr. Stanford Swain and Herbert with Rev. and Mrs. Milton Sanderson, Toronto; Mrs. H. Galbraith and Marjory with Miss Violet Dever; Miss Olive VanCamp with Misses Frances and Grace Mountjoy; Miss Violet Dever with Mr. and Mrs, John English. Congratulations are extended to Mr. Osmond Wright on being elected the new Road Superintendent for the Township of Cartwright. On Saturday, March 12th, at 3 p.m. Miss Jessie Marion Johnston, eldest daughter of the late D. W. and Mrs. Johnston, Pontypool, 'was united in marriage to Mr. Walton Thomas Lar- mer, son of Mr. and Mrs. Jas. Larmer, Burketon, at the parsonage," Black- stock. The pastor, Rev. F. W. Newell, officiated. The bride looked charming in a jacket gown of royal blue georgette, tri d with rhi THe groom was ably supported by Mr. Arnold Johnston, cousin of the bride, and the bridesmaid was Miss Vivian Johnston, of Toronto, sister of the bride. She was prettily gowned in pale green satin with lace jacket. After the ceremony the happy couple left for Toronto, Staynor and points north, the bride travelling in a blue tailored suit jalyac trimmed with On their return they will reside on their farm near Burketon. The groom's gift to the bride was a handsome silver fox fur. We join in wishing them a long, happy and prosperous journey through life. Mr. John Hooey and Burney spent Sunday at the home of Messrs. James and Cecil Wilson. Durham County's first great music- al festival will be held in Trinity United Church, Bowmanville, on May 11, 12 and 18. Several from here are planning to participate. Mrs. T. Smith spent last week with her parents Mr. and Mrs. F. Lamb at + Loan repaid by Water and Light Department .. 500.00 Rent of office received from Hydro Dept ...... 120.00 Transient Traders' licenses received .......... 300.00 Amount raised by extra tax rate and other sources of revenue ..............c00u.ss 1370.00 Total... ... CSIR a $3290.00 In preparing the estimates for 1932, the different committees consented to keep their expenditures down, and with the help of the Board of Education, who have cut their estimates as much as possible, I am pleased to state, I was able to present estimates which would call for a reduced rate. The estimates were adopted by the Council and a by-law was passed fixing the rate at 53 mills and providing for payments in The first instalment will be due and payable on June 1st, 1932, and the second instalment on November 1st, 1932. Where pay- ment of the whole amount of the tax bill is made on June 1st, a discount of 216% (being at the rate of 6% per annum) will be allowed on the amount of second instalment. On amounts of instalments not paid when due, but paid with- in one month of due date, 1% will'be added, and on amounts of in- stalments not paid within one month of due date 5% will be added. With the return of normal conditions, which I trust is not too far around the corner, and with a careful check on the finances of the town,-I cannot see why the taxes should not gradually be reduced and yet meet all our yearly expenditures. W. M. LETCHER, Chairman of Finance Com, County Officials and Road Foremen vigilant in apprehending all who Ma heat: " Misses Mabel and Norma Hooey were among the Bowmanville High School stud who ded one of Shakespeare's plays, Henry IV, Part 1, in Toronto, on Thursday afternoon. Messrs. Fred and Arthur Bailey, Harry VanCamp, Fred Hamilton and Wesley Pierce have taken the con- tract of sawing lumber for Mr. Nor- man Malcolm, Mr, Creighton Devitt had the honor of being elected Grand Master at the annual assembly of the Provincial Grand Chapter of Ontario East, Grand Knights of Ireland, held in Peterboro last week. His father, Mr. John Henry Devitt, had the same honor conferred on him just forty years ago. A Good Friday service will be held in St. John's Anglican church when a special invitation is extended to all. The young people of the United Church League, visited the Nestleton branch on Friday evening last and put on the following programme: Topic by Miss Olive VanCamp, readings by Miss Brown and Miss Olive Beacock, piano duet by Miss Gladys Newell and Miss Effie Wright, & quartette by Messrs,» Harold and Herbert Swain, Eric Cutting and Fred Thornett, and a game led by Mrs. Clarence Marlow. Lunch was served by the Nestléton young peoplé and a very pleasant and profitable evening was enjoyed by all. The March meeting of the W. +. ++ with devotional exercises conducted by the president, assisted by. the inging. The Missi y Bulletin was divided and read by the different officers and the report of the Monthly Board meeting in Toronto was read by Mrs, T. Smith. Lunch was served by the group in charge viz. Mrs. R. Mahood, Mrs. W. Barton, Mrs. J. Smith, Mrs, L. ¥cGill, Mrs. C. Smith, Mrs. J. McLaughlin, and Mrs. L. Graham. A hearty vote of thanks was tendered Mrs. Bailey for the use of her home. On Tuesday, February 16th, at 4.36 pm, a number of little girls, the friends of Miss Verna McNally, gathered at her home in honour of her seventh birthday. A long table was set in festive style, the birthday cake and its seven candles occupying the centre. When it was cut it was found to contain a button, a cent, or a ring for each little guest. After the lovely supper, prepared by Verna's mother, had been done ample justice to, games were enjoyed by the children until it was time to leave for home. Mr, and Mrs. Percy Jobb and family of Oshawa, spent Sunday with Mrs. Jobb's parents, Mr. and Mrs. David Galbraith. A much needed improvement has been made in the armouries in the form of a new floor. Mr. and Mrs. Osmond Wright and Edith were Sunday visitors of Mr. and Mrs. Rupert Byers. : Under the duspices of the W. A, of St. John's Church, a play entitled "Yimmie Yomson's Yob" will be' put on in the town hall on Monday even- ing, March 28th, at 8 o'clock, by the Yelverton Dramatic Club. Admission 26c., children 15¢. The cast of char- acters will be taken by Misses Emma Henders, Irene McCammus, Laura Me- Gill, Marjorie and Norma. Stacey, Messrs. Geo. and Norman Wilson, Clifford McGill, Harry Munroe, and Ray Malcolm. : "In the Midst of Life we are in Death," was brought home most forcibly on Wednesday morning about 9.30 when death entered the home of Mr. and Mrs. Leslie Lansing, Caesarea and called away their eldest son Larne, in his 18th year. Deceased at- tended the military training class in Blackstock during the winter at the close of which he was given the op- portunity of training for sergeant at Stanley Barracks, Toronto. A few days before completing the course he took ill but managed to finish and then came home--to die a few days later. Owing to the serious nature of the disease the remains were laid to rest on Wednesday afternoon in the Nestleton cemetery. The service was conducted by his pastor, Rev. F. W. Newell, He leaves to mourn his untimely passing, his father and mother and brother Ross. Even with so short a notice beautiful flowers and a number of friends and relatives were present at the grave side to testify to the love and esteem in which the deceased was held. Among those sending floral tributes were the pupils of the Blackstock Continuation School which he attended until two year's ago, the Baseball Team of which he was a valued member and the Nestleton In- stitute and Ladies' Aid, The bearers were Messrs. Donald, Lorne and Merle Thompson, Jack Hall, Percy Philip and Thos. Venning. We see but dimly through the mists and vapors, Amid these earthly damps. What seem to us but sad funeral tapers May be heaven's distant lamps. The deep sympathy of the commun- ity is extended to the bereaved family. ALECK M. SOUCH DIES SUDDENLY Word was received this week, that Aleck M. Souch, died suddenly in Youngstown, Ohio, on Friday, March 16th. Mr. Souch was the son of the late Jas. E. and Victoria Souch: Aleck lived in Port Perry with his mother, as a boy and attended school here. He was a cousin of Mr. C. H. Kellett. A PLAN WORTH TRYING 5 (Oshawa Daily Times) + There is much merit in a plan for with the word "love" and is to. be, - D.J. KEAN, County Road Engineer. i" employing the jobless that has been they can develop for truck ga working on a co-operative basis. On the farm which selected is a large eh ue - house which is to be fitted up to pro- vide liing and sleeping accom tion for the fifty men, under one roof. tion of land on which to grow vege- tables, and#a truck will be available to take the produce of all of them to market together, to be sold on a co- operative basis. The scheme has aroused consider able interest, to the extent that offers of assistance in providing the neces sary equipment are pouring in. While it is, frankly, an experiment, the idea behind it is commendable, and so long as the. men selected are willing to be industrious, and have at least some knowledge of market gardening, there is every reason to believe that it will be a success. Such market gardening communities might well prove the so- lution of the difficulties of a large number of single unemployed men, who could be quite happy and comfort- able in a community house, and work- ing 'on the land. Naturally, time alone will tell whether the project is to meet with success or failure. It will hardly he fair, however, to give judgment on the experience of a single effort, and it might be worth while to have a num- ber of such communities established -----one, for instance, for a similar group of men from Oshawa--so that it could be tested thoroughly as a basis for relieving some of the unem- ployment in 'the industrial centres. "LIBRARY MEETING The March meeting of the Port Perry Public Library Board was held at the home of Mrs. J. Nasmith and after the business was transacted, took the form of a social hour, in honour of Mr. T. W. McLean. Mr. McLean has served on the Lib- rary Board for seventeen years and has held both the office of secretary and chairman. During the past six years he has officiated as chairman of the Board and was re-elected again this year, but withdrew on account of his health. The members of the Board express- ed their appreciation of both Mr. and Mrs, McLean's years of faithful ser- vice to the Library and as a slight token of their friendship and esteem presented Mr. McLean" with Lytton Strachey's "Memoirs of Queen Vie- toria" and Mrs, McLean with a beautiful bouquet of spring flowers. Mr. McLean replied in a few well chosen words, both for himself and Mrs, McLean, who was unable to be present on account of illness. Light refreshments were served by the ladies of the Board and all agreed that it was the most delightful Board meeting they had attended. SCUGOG Congratulations to Mr. Fred Turley and Miss Gladys Dodsley, on their marriage on the 12th of March, 1932. The Women's Association held their monthly meeting on March 15th, at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Russell Carter. A very nice program was given. - Mrs. E. Hance read a number of Scripture verses, Mrs. J. Demara read part of St. John, 14; Miss Helen Carter read a poem on "Birds of Spring"; Mrs. S. Rodman, read a peem of Glory; Rev. Mr. Elford sang a solo; Mrs. J. Joblin read a prayer for the return of little Charles Lind- burgh. She then told a story of a little girl who was kidnapped a num- ber of years ago; but through the talk of the little girl she was brought back home to her parents: the kidnapper changed his way of living and got to be a man of respect. He took for his motto "A little child shall lead them." It was a very interesting program. Mrs, Hayes has made the Assocla- tion a fruit cake to be sold by guess- ing the weight of the cake. It was decided to dispose of it at the mext meeting in April. More x later. Owing to sickness, 'bad roads and stormy weather, there were only 60 present. 'After justice was done' to the good things oh the St. Patrick's decorated table, the time was spent in games, stunts, ete." A very enjoyable time was speft;;"" LE ~ developed by the Toronto Federation for Community Service. This plan (continued orf page ®): Each man will be given a certain sec-