Western Star (Corner Brook, N.L.), 1945-02-17

              The Western Star Vol. 45, No. 46 Corner Brook, Newfoundland, Saturday, February 17, 1945 Price Five Cents The 59th (Newfoundland) Heavy Regt., R.A., Now Pouring Their Heavy Shells Into Reich (By A Military Observer) Now eagerly filling the breeches of their heavy howitzers ahd their 155 mm. heavy guns to pour their shells onto German territory, are the gunners of the 59th (Newfoundland if Heavy Regt., R.A. /They are the "Newfies" who have hauled their guns France to the Dutch-German border. And in their long jodfney across the continent they have received endless j>nsse and commendation for their work in supporting numerous attacks in famous battles which will find their way into th* history books on World War Two. These wiry, tough lads from Newfoundland are all vol- Eeers who, in March, 1940, signed their names in the books the recruiting station in Water Street, St. John's, and ame Newfoundland's gunners. Since the early months of 1940, the men have been coming to this country in batches. Since that time, until the time they stepped ashore on the Norman coast in early July, 1944, they have trained and trained and waited for the day. Stories of their bravery, their untiring work in fighting weeks on end without rest and the amusing incidents that befell many of the gunners Were recounted to a Military Observer recently. As a body of men, perhaps there could be no better summing up of them than the words used by Lt. H. F. Ryan, R.N.V.R., the Hon. Welfare Officer stationed in London. He stayed with the regiment for some time when they first landed in France. He subsequently wrote to the Colonel: "I was made to feel one of your company, and a better company I never expect to mtet.** During their long stay in England, already about 10 per cent of the "Newfles" here have "met their match" and have married English girls coming from Tonbridge, Kent. area. And one of the suggestions made by a sergeant was that the Newfoundland authorities should form a Welcome Committee for the wives when they return with their soldier husbands. They will require someone to teach them the customs of their new home, and guidance for other little problems which might crop up. How the "Newfies" landed is set out briefly as: "July 5. L.S.T. 494 leaves in convoy for France at 0100 hours. Anchored off Courseulles 1180 hrs. Beaches approx. 1300 hrs. "Courseulles. Dry landing begins 1415 hrs; is completed 1600 hrs." And, 24 hours later, two batteries were engaged on the first task for the Regiment West of Carpiquet, for the battle of the aerodrome. They shelled a concentration of German tanks. From men onwards they have had one long battle, sometimes fighting under conditions of the utmost jdiscomfort.They were at the Caen-Fallaise battle, the historic battle for the closing of the Gap at Esquay and Evrecy, and discavered the crossing of the Odon River. After the liquidation of the pocket at Fallaise the Regiment was moved up to cover the crossing of the Seine. The gunners were swinging their heavy guns about like toys, but after the crossing of the Seine they went into harbour for the month of September owing to the rapidity of the advance. Their heavy guns might have interfered with the already congested roads in pursuit of the fleeing enemy. One battery was detached for a special task and went on. On August 25, the Hon. Sir Edward Emerson, Commissioner for Defence, visited the Regiment and spoke to the gunners. During their month's rest at Cailly, the Regiment held a civilian dance in a German barracks which the Huns had been occupying 10 days before. The local population received them wholeheartedly and gave them a rapturous welcome. They organized football matciies, dances, even boat races on the river. Some times they organized manhunts for Germans hiding ir. the woods. It was Sergt. Robert Edgai Irish, of 13 Junction Road. Grand Falls, who made the suggestion that there should be a wives reception committee formed. "I am married to an Englisn girl," he said, "and we have one child. Ten per cent NO COMICS THIS WEEK Due to circumstances beyond the control of the publishers of The Western Star. Dick Tracy, Orphan Annie, and others whose adventures have become familiar to readers nf the Comic Section, will not be with us this week. We assure our "readers that with next week's edition of The Western Star they will receive the coloured comic supplement. OIL SHORTAGE ON NORTH-WEST COAST No Kerosene; Gasoline Lack A Threat To The Fishery An acute shortage of kerosene and gasoline exists on the north-west coast; in some places the people are already using candles; sawmills which produce laths for the lobster fishery are unable to operate; and a Cow Head correspondent reports there is very little gasoline for fishery operations. Instead of the four to five hundred barrels of oil which usually go north in November only sixty were shipped before the close of navigation this winter.E. Barry, Manager of the Curling branch of the Imperial Oil Limited, stated some months ago that the shortage was inevitable unless arrangements were made to transport the drums of oil. Mr. Barry contacted the General Freight Agent of the Newfoundland Railway who assured him that the oil would be taken care of by the government steamers as usual. One of the ships called it the wharf of the Imperial Oil Ltd. to take on Bunker Fuel for her own use, but refused to take any of the drums consigned to the people along the coast People Using Candles There is a general shortage of kerosene from St. Paul's to Port Saunders. The Rev. F. Honeygold, Church of England clergyman for the coast, reports there is no kerosene at all at Portland Creek. The people of St. Paul's have been obliged to use candles to light their houses, but the situation was relieved, if only temporarily, by a limited quantity of kero- sent from Rocky Harbour. Threat To Fishery During the winter sawmills along the coast are engaged in the manufacture of laths used in the lobster fishery. The export of live lobsters from tMe Co-operative Societies is the most profitable industry along that section of the coast for the majority of the people, and it is feared that next season's operations will be seriously curtailed if laths are not procurable. The blow is also a great one to the sawmill operators. A Cow Head correspondent reports that there is practically no gasoline for fishery operations, although dealers placed their orders early. Bellburns an Exception At Bellburns there is still plenty of kerosene, and this is due to the fact that a schooner load was taken before navigation closed in Bay of Islands. Death-Buzzing 'B's' Over Nippon On Thursday it was announced thai American Superforts had boml)ed Japan once again, uojectives successfully hit Were war production plants. The Superforts made the flight over Japan from bases on the Marianas, thirteen hundred miles away! DRIVING HAZARDS ON CURLING ROAD The Taxi and Bus driver? have found the Curling Koad to be extremely difficult to negotiate of late, and as many as twelve cars have been stalled at one time on the hill at Crow Gulch. One or two accidents, which mignt have been have been reported as the result of the narrow road, the impossibil ity of passing cars, and the difficulty of seeing any distance ahead. The following telegram was sent to the Secretary of the Department of Public Utilities at St. John's, by interested parties: Traffic on Curling Road disrupted all Winter by unnecessary bottlenecks particularly on Upper Broadway. Snow clearing very unsatisfactory. Signed by: Sam Wells for Bus Drivers. Oliver King for King's Taxi Walter Ruth for Ruth's Taxi Service. Bus drivers report that the trip from Corner Broqk to Curling, which normally takes half an hours, now requires anything from an hour on. Flying Officer 'Tony' Grace, D.F.C. Is Visiting Home Flying Officer Martin Anthony Grace, D.F.C., of the Royal Canadian Air Force, better known as "Tony* Grace, is in town visiting his parents, Mr. and Mrs. J. Grace, Reid Street. His leave consists of one month, with eight additional days for travelling time. Flying Officer Grace, who was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross in August of last year, enlisted with the Royal Canadian Air Force on September 18, 1941. He went overseas on December 13, 1942, and began operational flights on August 30, 1943. His flights were mainly over Germany and that part of France once occupied by Germany and since liberated. In all, he has taken part in sixtyone operational flights and is entitled to official "grounding" which came to him after just and a day of operational flying. Frying Officer Grace, like all true heroes, wears his honours well. When interviewed at his home by a representative of The Western Star, he was reticent about his exploits and was mainly interested in l>eing home-again. He will be leaving here early next month to report at Moncton, N. 8., for orders. GUIDE PARTY A GREAT SUCCESS The Girl Guides Association held a card party in the Glynmill Inn on Thursday evening. i In presenting Mrs. C. Fitzgerald, Mrs. A. W. Bentley, District Commissioner, gave a short outline of the work of the Guides in Corner Brook. Mrs. Fitzgerald presented the prizes. The winners were as follows. The lucky door prize was won by Mr. W. B. Hughson. Bridge: Ladies' Ist Prize— Mr*. V. J. Sutton, 2nd Prize— Mrs>B. Butler. TWO FURTHER TRAIN WRECKS REPORTED SERIOUS DERAILMENT AT MIDDLE BROOK Corner Brook, Feb. 16: Two further derailments have been reported on the Western Division of the Newfoundland Railway since the accident at Gaff Topsail earlier in the week. The first occurred to No. 2 after the passengers had been transferred from No. 1. The derailment took place at the Quarry, Gaff Topsail. Not much time was lost. The second and more serious derailment occurred on Thursday at Middle Brook, which is about sixteen miles west of St. George'a> when two locomotives, the plow and three baggage cars on the westbound train were derailed and thrown across the tracks. At the time of going to press, cause of the derailment has not been ascertained; tnere were no serious injuries. It is feared this wreck will not be cleared for several days. A wreck train was dispatched from Humbermouth on Thursday evening, complete with wrecking crew and tool car. A report from the Roadmaster, T. Wells of Humbermouth, is expected shortly on the time that will be required to clear the track. No information has been forthcoming as yet regarding the disposal of the passengers on the express. It is not known whether they will remain on the train or if accomodation will be found for them at St. George's. MEN INJURED IN RAILWAY ACCIDENT AT GAFF TOPSAIL TRAIN SERVICE DISRUPTED FOR DAYS UNTIL LINE IS CLEARED A serious accident which resulted in injuries to four men and a tie-up on the railway occurred on Wednesday when the west-bound train ran into the rotary plough at Gaff Topsail. The accident occurred shortly after lunch, when a wooden snow plough ahead of Locomotives No. 197 and 1004, pulling the west-bound express, ran into the caboose of the rotary. The cal>oose was smashed and lifted on the snow plough of the train. In the caboose at the time were Albert Pear, senior engineer; James Connolly, cook; James Harmon. Road Master; Joseph Delaney, relieving agent for the Western Division; Adolphus Robinson, cleaner, and George W. Penney, conductor. Dr. George Baggs of the Corner Brook Hospital, who is also the Railway doctor, was aboard the train at the time, and he states that in the coach where he was resting at the time the shock was severe. "At first we thought the train had been derailed," Dr. Baggs said, "but upon investigation we found what had happened. By the time we reached the scene of the accident two of the men had already been removed from the caboose, and we worked to get the others free. Fortunately, the accident occurred at a place where it was possible for us to get in touch with stations along the line. "We. thought at first that we might be able to take the injured men to the Grand Falls Hospital, but it was later decided that a special engine with caboose would come from Kitty's Brook as soon as the road was cleared by the rotary and that the men would be taken to the Comer Brook Hospital. Praised Railway Personnel Dr. Baggs ipokt highly of the efforts of the Railway personnel. "The engine with a eatlOOM W9M dispatched instantly from Kitty's Brook to the scene of the accident," 'he stated, "and the injured men were transferred to the caboose and we made a record run to Corner Brook, arriving about 1 :;i<> a.m. on Thursday morning." Dr. Baggs remained with the men until they were accomodated at the TWO FIRES IN LESS THAN WEEK On Saturday night at about 8.30 p.m. fire broke out at the home of Harold Power, on Humber Heights. Mr. Power was at home alone at the time with his children, Mrs. Power had gone out. Before anything could be done to put out the fire which apparently started from an over-heated stove pipe, the place was in flames. No lives were lost, but the house and its contents were completely destroyed. No insurance was carried. Another fire broke out about 6.20 on Monday evening at one of the new government buildings now undqr construction at Reid Street. There was no one in the building at the time, and men employed on the construction of the building had left at 6 o'clock. By ti.2o p.m. the place was a mass of flames. It is not definitely known where the fire started, but it is thought that it must have been in the vicinity of the furnace. The fire remains a mystery for there was nothing inflammable in the building, and the men employed there during the day did not smoke. They say that when they left everything appeared to be normal The interior of'the building was completely ruined and the entire building may have to be condemned. The loss is estimated in the vicinity of five thousand dollars. ROUND-TABLE PARTICIPANTS URGE NATIONAL HOUSING SCHEME DISCUSS VARIOUS FINANCING METHODS The Corner Brook Round-table sponsored by The Westem Star and presented over radio station VOWN on Tuesday evening, February 13, had for its subject the problem of housing in Newfoundland. Mrs. Ella Berger acted as moderator aiv% the guests were Mrs. Thomas Green, R.N., Pius White, who is at present building a house under the cooperative scheme, and H. J. Lee, an officer of the Co-Operative Credit Society. rangements whereby the tin** limit of payment could be extended. The advantage of having the house owned by the association is that it can be used as security on loans to build other houses. Mr. White explained it thus: "The association builds a house from the combined capital of the members, say eight or ten. Now all the members want a house built, and here is one house built for one member. The Association uses that house to morgage it and with the money, it builds another house for the second member. When that house is finished, it is mortgaged to build still another house. If the house went to the tenant when It was paid for, it could not be used by the association to help other members." When it was pointed out that this scheme would apply only to areas where a group of people wished to build, Mr. White replied: "It might be possible to have a central housing association for the whole country with branches perhaps in various large places. Supposing there was one in Windsor and a young man in Exploits starts thinking about building a house. Instead of digging a foundation one year, adding a bit of lumber tne next, afid so oh wtth no plan for building or no idea how long it would take or how much it would cost, he begins to put a little money into the association each month. When he wants to get his house, the association will do for him what I have just described. With the money he has set aside and with his labour, he can furnish 25% of the cost of the house. When the house is built, the cost can be paid off by monthly installments. But since houses in small settlements lacking communications would be of small value, the house should become the property of the tenant when the debt is paid off. The progressiveness of the first scheme we discussed would take another form. The money which each member put into the association against the day he is going to build a house, can be used bv the association to build other houses in the meantime."Mrs. Green: "Such a housing corporation or association could buy things like light fxtures, glass, door knobs, plumbing, etc., wholesale. Thev could also have new and distinctive plans available for the convenience of builders. Hot and cold water, proper sanitary and garbage facilities should be the right of every home and not the luxury that is unheard of by lots of people." Mr. Lee stated that disposal of sewage ! septic tanks was quite cheap but the cost of plumbing was too high. "This is due to the fact" he said, "that for Newfound- In her introduction Mrs. Berger said, "Some time ago we discussed the question of housing generally and we were overwhelmed with the problems facing families who have no capital and no steady source of income. It is to , these problems that we seek an answer for ourselves and for all of you. We do not assert that we have found an answer, but we think certain paths might well be followed toward finding it. Mrs. Green quoted Lord Ammon on housing conditions in Newfoundland and Mr. Gorvin's report of 1938 in which he pointed out that the death rate in Newfound'and per year was 18 per 10.000 comnared with 82 per 10,000 in England and Wales and that this extremely high incidence of T.B. was mainly caused by bad housing. Mr. Lee added that bad housing was mainly the lack of room which prevented sick people being isolated from other members of the family, and the prevalence of open toilets which were a breeding place for flies and which speeded the spread of the germs. "The problem of housing, outside industrial areas", continued Mr. Lee, "is not so much one of congestion but of sanitation, convenient water '<\ipnly and bettef household facilities". Mr. White: "Private coroorations cannot produce houses for a low income group at the cost which this crroup '■an afford. Private landlords, renting houses for profit have, in the majority of cases done no better for people. If an industrial worker with a steady income can afford to oay rent, he can afford to own his own house. The difficulty is to get enough monev at one time to begin building". Mr. Lee: "The solution to this problem lies in group building.,lf a sufficient number of people in one place really want a home, they could pool their resources and buv collectively and so get their homes much quicker. They must first study their problems and go into all the aspects of planning, financing, cost of material etc., and before they began to collect a cent, they would know exactly what they were going to do. Mr. White explained the financial aspect of such a scheme: "Every member buys a five dollar share in the association. When the member wants a house, he applies to the association for aid. He has to guarantee 25'; of the estimated cost of the house either in cash or in labour. Then the association builds the man's house, having obtained the rest of the required capital by pooling the resources of the members or borrowing from the government or some other source. The man pays back the association so much per month, an amount to cover the interest, principle, insurance and depreciation. Over a period of years, usually 25, the house is paid for." In reply to questions from Mrs. Green, Mr. Lee explained the reason why the house, although paid for. still belongs to the association. The tenant-owner has a permanent lease on the house, he can sell it to an approved buyer at the appraised value, he can leave it to his heirs, but his actual ownership is not of Jhe house but of share capital to the value of the house in the Association. If he became temporarily disabled before his house was paid for. the association would nuke ar- (To be Continued) (Continued on Page 3) (Continued on Page 4) (Continued on Page 6) (Continued on Page 7) -JUST AtMVED- Children's Folding Play Pens and Basinnettes GOODYEAR aid HOUSE LTD. CORNER IROOK -JUST UUVEDINLAID LINOLEUM GOODYEAR and HOUSE LTD. conn MOOK In This Issue Letters to the Editor Pag* 2 News About People H 8 London Letter " 3 Commentary, from the Capital "3 Sunday at Home " " 4 News From Correspondents " 5 Sports Section " 6 Newfoundland—The Forgotten Island " 7 News of the Fisheries " 9 Agricultural Section " 12 Women's Section " 13 The King's Men " 14 About Buying Clubs " ||