THE STRATFORD MIRR Vol. 10 STRATFORD, FEB. 1933 No. 38 Gas Department Shows A Substantial Increase The gas department, long the weak sister of the Public Utilities Commis- sion, is kicking the slats out of its cradle and threatens to discard its swaddling clothes for good. With careful guidance, this once very frail member of the P.U.C. family is grad- ually gaining strength and may soon be able to take its place as an adult in the family circle. During the past year, the gas de- partment showed an increase of 834,- 000 cubic feet in the amount of gas billed. It is still stepping right along too. For January of this year, the amount of gas billed was 33,000 cubic feet above the amount billed in Jan- uary of 1932. Stratford citizens apparently have taken to water drinking in a big way. The per capita consumption per day was boosted by more than five gal- lons during 1932. At the end of the year, it worked out to 67% gallons per person per day. The Canadian National Railways continued as a big consumer of water pumped by the P.U.C., although the consumption was down considerably from 1931. During 1932, the C.N.R. used 102,717,000 gallons, pumped from the river. The pumpage to the city was 452,066,000 gallons. Receives Gold Certificate and Gold Merit Badges Being unable to attend the meeting of his lodge did not deprive W. Fras- er, 71 Douglas street, of the honor of receiving the gold merit badge and gold certificate of the International Association of Machinists. On Mon- day, a committee composed of four of Mr. Fraser's former associates called at his home to make the presentation of these emblems of more than 35 years of membership in good standing in the order. And that committee which called upon Mr. Fraser can not go unnoticed, Three of the committee boasts a re- cord of combined years of railway service which will take some beating by a trio from any lodge either in Can- ada or the United States. Here is the record: H. Dickie, 57 years, full mem- bership; A. Henson, 36 years. gold seal members. Then there is the new gold seal member, Mr. Fraser, whose 35 years boosts the total for the quartet to 165. years. A. E. Webb, the "baby" of the com- mittee which called on Mr. Fraser probably felt like a youth in the pres- ence of his elders. He has a "mere 25 years" of membership, Those three are This is about when the average Hs- kimo wakes up in the middle of the night, asks his wife the time, she says "February," and he goes back to sleep. H. Wigglesworth, 38 years). With more than seven hundred and seventy million dollars on deposits in their banks, Detroit citizens found themselves on Tuesday in the position of being unable to withdraw the price of a toothbrush from their accounts, as a result of the proclamation of Governor W. A. Comstock, declaring an eight-day moratorium on all bank- ing transactions. At the end of December 31, 1932, ac- cording to the statements issued by Detroit banks, the following figures show the funds on deposit at that time: First National Bank of Detroit, $423,357,897, Guardian National Bank of Commerce, $161,932,934; Detroit Sav- ings Bank, $34,911,949; Commonwealth Commercial State Bank, $13,086,633; United Savings Bank, $11,633,954; In- dustrial Morris Plan Bank, $5,600,612; Detroit Trust Company, $38,140,944: Union Guardian Trust Company, $31, 438,601; Equitable Trust Company, $1,- 988,263. The action of Governor Comstock, while probably unprecedented in the history of the United States, is being laudde by business men and financiers as a timely and well considered step. Action of Governor Lauded by Financiers One of the banks, the Union Guardian Trust Company, was in such a posi- tion that it would have been unable to open its doors on Tuesday, owing, it is said, to inability to realize on froz- en assets in its move to get out of the banking business. Had the Union Guardian been allowed to close, runs would undoubtedly have resulted on other banks, and a financial panic would probably have resulted. The small depositor as Gov. Comstock' pointed out, would probably have been left holding the bag, because the big fellows, who were aware of conditions, | would have scurried to get out. As it is now, time is being allowed banking structure of Detroit and at the expiration of the eight-day holi- day, it is to be hoped that Michigan's banks will be in a position to turn into the gale and face the storm, To Canadians, viewing the situation from this side of the line, the un- usual happenings in one of the richest states in the Union to the south and in one of the largest cities on the con- tinent are seen as history in the mak- ing. Made A Good Showing not win their district in the Tankard play, gave plenty of evidence that they can beat a lot of clubs in the province yet. At London on Wednesday, they came out on top of the heap of twen- ty-four rinks taking part in the bon- spiel of the London Curling Club. As a result, new electric clocks, bed spreads, etc., made their appearance in the homes of Henry Bruce, Wes. Bink- ley, Doc. Beatty and W. H. Gregory. Brilliant Stratford Girl Carries Off Honours Stratford is to be ably represented in the finals of the Wossa oratorical competition for girls as a result of the feat of Miss Elizabeth McTavish, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. F. G. Mc- Tavish, in carrying off the honors in the first round at Paris on Wednes- day. The subject which Miss Mc- Tavish chose for her address was "Preserving the Health of the Nation." This is not the first time Miss Mc- Tavish has won honors in oratorical endeavor, and she ig regarded as ome of the outstanding contenders for the Wossa honors when the finals are held. It is likely that the finals will be held at Windsor. Stratford was represented in the junior boys' competition by Stanley Morris. pe oe Stratford curlers, although they did} Friendly Group The members of the Friendly Group held its regular meeting with Mrs. G. Kiloh presiding. The mystery box was won by Mrs. E. Wilson, with number 13. It was decided to have a sleigh-ride party next Wednesday night out to the home of Mr. and Mrs. P. Murdock on the Mitchell highway. Refresh- ments were then served by Mrs. E. Gasson, Mrs. C. Sheard. The meeting was closed with the sing- ing of the National Anthem. to make repairs to the threatened, Well-Known and Popular Business Man Passes - Ernest A. Robertson, former popu- lar Stratford business man, and prominent citizen, was laid to rest on Tuesday. Mr. Robertson's death came after a lengthy illness. The deceased was accorded honors by the Masonic Order of which he was a prominent member. Mr. Robertson's large circle of friends as well as his relatives will greatly mourn his death. He had that ~ friendly spirit and cordial manner which made him welcome wherever rhe went. aint Eight Past Masters of Stratford : Lodge acted as pallbearers. Mr. Rob- -- /ertson was hilmself a Past Master of the Lodge. The pallbearers were W. -- G. Irwin, A. Knechtel, E. J. Smith, Dr. - H. W.. Baker, Dr. J. A. Beatty, .M. A., 7 ¥. Humber, Fred Cosford, and W. H. ~ Gregory. : Members of the City Council, on -- which Mr. Robertson had served for | two years, attended the funeral ser- vice. Many brethren of the Masonic Order and Odd Fellows also.attended. | The funeral service was conducted by: Rev. C. W. DeMille, assisted by Rev. - Geo. A. Mackenzie. Alumnae Re-organized At an cnthusiastic meeting at Loretto Academy on Wednesday night the Alumnae Association was re-organized and plans made for a Shrove Tuesday party to be heid at the Academy The officers elect- ed are: President, Mrs. H. A. Blair; 1st vice-president, Miss Eva Hartleib, 2nd vice-president, Miss Elizabeth Quinlan; -reasurer, Miss Doris Qvilter; recording secretary, Miss Mary Dolan; corresponding secretary, Miss Kathleen Kelly; press co.vener, Miss Teresa Mack- lin; membership convener, Miss Mary McCauley; convener of en- tertainment, Miss Mary Kappele; convener of house committee, Mrs. Harold Ducharme. < The per capita consumption of wat- er increased noticeably in this city during 1932. Who says there's no depression? The unfortunate swain was the one who led his heart on St. Valentine's Day and got a club in nates A merger is TS, "taken to mean that somebody is going to be out of a job. Members of parliament are not expected. The Town of Mitchell should be very much perturbed by reports that the riding of South Perth is to go. What will the town to without the traditional South Perth Conservative Convention? . One of the best things that can be said about the spell of cold weather = "Sense and Nonsense" is that it ended, temporarily at least, the winter go-without-a-hat craze. -- A Woodstock man broke his leg and got married on the same day. -- Probably decided there was no use in marring two days by mistoteaee? The boys who get their pay clones = ie. issued on Michigan banks have re $ mate excuses to hand their paste act Va this week-end, We received one of Bill Dixon's in- -- come tax forms to be filled out and returned by Feb. 25. Thanks for the © compliment, Bill. ; atom gg Just because there's a Lion on the Park Board this year does not mean -- that the Board has: changed its ager about starting a zoo. same ee H THE BEST IN TALKING PICTURES NOW PLAYING SLIM SUMMERVILLE oe ae "THEY JUST HAD A riotous feature comedy TO GET MARRIED" MONDAY -- TUESDAY CLARK GABLE in "NO MAN OF HER OWN" ADDED FEATURB-------- "MY WIFE'S FAMILY " with GENE GERARD WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY SYLVIA SIDNEY in "MADAME BUTTERFLY " WILLIAM COLLIER JR. in "SPEED DEMON"