fans) Ee gf Att ete cig «a ae AN 5 Tait *, + On ee sae No. 33 STRATFORD, ONT., FRIDAY, JANUARY 28, 1927 Vol. 4 Highly Respected and Prominent Man Passes The passing of Peter McNab, form- er superintendent of the Stratford Waterworks Department, has cast a shadow over his many friends, as well as his immediate family, Death came with startling suddenness at his home, 37 Waterloo street, on Tuesday afternoon. He was in his 76th year. Of a quiet, unassuming nature, the late Mr. McNab possessed those kind- ly qualities that endeared him to all - who knew him, and held the loyalty of the men who were associated with him in his everyday life. Mr. McNab showed an exceptional discernment his assOciation' with those working with him, tactfully handling their every day problems in his own kindly and efficient way. He was born in Montreal in 1851, of Scottish parentage, his - parents, William McNab and Janet Greig, com- ing out from Glasgow in a sailing ves- sel, bringing their own furniture with them. Mr. McNab learned his trade as a machinist in the G. T. R. shops in To- ronto, coming to Stratford when the 'repair shops were moved here. His ability was soon recognized and rap- idly won him promotion, and for many years he was apprentice in- in _. structor. In May of 1874, he was married to Emma Izard McCarthy, daughter of the late J. A. McCarthy, Sr., who was the fourth man to settle in Stratford in the pioneer days. The ceremony was performed by the late Canon Pat- : terson, then rector of St. James' Ang- lican church, When the great railway strike oc- curred in 1905, Mr. McNab was ap- pointed superintendent of the Strat- ford Waterworks, which position he held until his voluntary retirement a few months ago. He was also engi- neer of the first steam fire engine in Stratford, being fire chief for many years of the old volunteer Stratford Fire Brigade. He was also one of the Fenian Raid veterans with the old Grand Trunk battalion. The late Mr. McNab was one of the few remaining charter members of Romeo Lodge, I. O. O. F.. and a loyal supporter of St. James' Anglican Church for the past 54 years. Surviving are his widow, one daughter, Mrs. J. C. Makins, Morn- ington street; one son, P. W. McNab, druggist, Hamilton; also a sister, Mrs. James H. Duthie, Toronto; and three grandchildren, Miss Jean Mak- ins and Miss Helen McNab, Stratford, and Miss Muriel McNab, Hamilton. A son, John Augustus, predeceased him in 1924. Pertinent Patter' Friends of Commissioner J. B. Waugh were greatly grieved to hear of his sudden illness is Toronto last Friday and will be glad to know that he is recovering satisfactorily. His absence from the city has apparently created a deadlock in the Public Utilities Commission as that body has not been able to select a temporary chairman. They had a meeting the other night and Commissioner Glenn and Mayor Marshall thought Mayor Marshall should be the chairman while Commissioners Siegel and Skid- more thought that Commissioner Skidmore should be the man. There the matter rested and will apparently continue to' rest there until Mr. Waugh can return. There is a strong probability of there being consider- able in the way of fireworks at the first proper meeting of the commis- sion. Some matters in connection with last year's business are expected to be brought up and generally given an airing. When that is done the reason for the deadlock on the ques- tion of a temporary chairman will probably be clearer. * * * On Tuesday of this week Scots- men the world over including those in Stratford gathered to celebrate the birthday anniversary of Robert Burns, greatest of Scotch poets. When it 3s considered that all through the English speaking world the name of Robert Burns is held in honor something of the influence of this great writer can be gathered. And what did he write about, the simple things of life? Just the other day we glanced "through a copy of , interested officers his works and was struck by the sim- | which to plicity of his writings. In there is a moral if one wishes take it and vindication of Burns' own, | "A man's a man for a' that." oa * * This past week the annual meetings of two of Stratford's important civic organizations took place, that of the Horticultural Society and the Gladi- olus Society. The latter is a baby society but already is making its in- fluence felt among flower lovers and shows every sign of becoming a rival to its sister organization, the Horti cultural Society. That society, now one of the largest in the province, has done much to beautify this city and | has been an agent for civic beauti- fication beyond what most citizens realize. Not only has * dOne much in the way of installing beds of flow- ers in various parts of the city but its work in encouraging and helping the flower lover has resulted in a far more beautiful city through improved yards and flowers around, private dwellings. In the two new presidents, A. B. Hunter and J. C. Heideman, the societies have active, experienced and who will be worthy executives to carry on the good work. * * * The news that if the province changes the exemptions for income taxes that the city's revenue will go down about $8,000 will be received with mixed feelings. Those who will be relieved of the direct tax will no doubt feel happy but since the extra half mill must go on the general rate there is really nothing to be gained. As a matter of fact the municipal in- come tax system as at present con- stituted does not work out well for various reasons. One is that only a small proportion of those _ taxable are assessed and the regulations are seldom properly enforced. . The sug- gestion that the municipalities get a percentage of the tax collected by the Dominion government is a sen- sible one. If the whole thing were lumped and a man paid one tax he would feel a lot better about it than being assessed twice on the same in- come. YOUR TOWN AS YOU LIKE IT "If you want to live im the kind of a town Like the kind of a town you like, You needn't slip your clothes in a grip And start on a long, long hike. You'll only find what you left behind, For there's nothing that's really new. It's a knock at yourself knock your town. It isn't your town--it's you! when you Real towns are not made by men afraid Lest somebody When everyone works and shirks You can raise a town from the dead. And if, while you make your personal stake , Your neighbor can make his, too, y -r town will be what you want to else gets ahead. nobody see. No, it isn't your town--it's you." MERELY GOOD MANNERS A gentleman who was seated be- hind a negro in a street car in Mem- phis relates this incident: All seats were taken, when a young negress entered. The negro arose and offered her his seat. "I hate to deprive yo', sah," she said gratefully as she took it. "Doan' mention it, miss; it ain't no so depravity, I insure you. Death of Well-Known and Highly Esteemed Citizen One of Stratford's most respected business men passed away suddenly at his home Thursday morning in the person of John H. Killer, 156 Morn- ington street. The late Mr. Killer retired last Wednesday night in his usual health and apparently passed away time during the night. Although he did some few years ago suffer from the results of an operation he had of late been in very good health, better in fact than for some time, and his death came as a great shock to his family. The late Mr.Killer was born in Manheim, Waterloo township, and was in his 77th year. He passed his early life on a farm near Man- heim, but some 47 years ago came to Gadshill and operated' the hotel there for about 11 years. Coming to the city he took over the City Hote! some - and operated it for some three years : later running a hotel on Welling- ton street, previously operated by George Tune. After that he took over the Mansion House and remain- ed in charge of it until his retire- ment from active business some 21 years ago, Since then the hotel has: been operated by his sons, B. W- Killer and Fred Killer. Mr. Killer was of a quiet and re- tiring disposition and never took an active part in municipal politics. He was a member of Zion Lutheran church and of both the Independent and Canadian Order of Odd Fellows. He was also a member of the old Gun Club which was flourishing some years ago. Besides his wife he is survived by four sons, B. W., O. H., Fred and Austin, all of Stratford ard one daughter, Mrs. (Rev.) A. C. Wahl, of Pittsburgh, Pa. Mr. Killer was a gentleman who was most highly thought of, by all who knew him. In his every transact- ion with his fellow man and in all his business dealings he never was known to have been other than hon- orable and straightforward. "Pardon me a moment, please," said the dentist to the victim, "but before begmning this work I must have my drill." "Good gracious, man!" exclaimed the patient, "can't you pull a tooth without a rehearsal?" ; + INSURANCE REAL ESTATE »