[Welland Tribune, 29 January 1909]
The Tribune is pleased to welcome to our town Mr. F.B. Gourlay, son of Mr. S.P. Gourlay of St. Catharines who will shortly open a business on East Main street. Mr. Gourlay, who is by no means a stranger to Welland, has closed arrangements with Messrs. Goodsir & Waite for the immediate occupancy of their recently vacant store, and in a few days will have it stocked with material for the carrying on of plumbing and heating and gas business and we trust that this enterprise will meet with much success, which, with the name of “Gourlay”, therewith associated, and the facilities for good work, which is always assured, will no doubt result in a flourishing business being acquired.
Of late years a considerable part of the plumbing and heating of some of the larger institutions of Welland have been done by Mr. S. P. Goulay, and of which work “our” Mr. Gourlay was in charge; the quality of material used and the character of the work done are substantial testimonials of reliability and thoroughness.
Mr. Gourlay will make a good citizen and is encouraged by the present progressive condition of Welland. He says, “I am making Welland my home, and want to see it grow still further, will do my share in that respect, and want to grow with it.” That’s the sentiment we like. Let us all continue to work for a greater Welland.
J.J. HAFFEY ELECTED CHAIRMAN
[Welland Tribune, 22 January 1909]
The question of increased school accommodations was briefly discussed.
Mr. Flower said the present fourth ward school will not accommodate all the 1st and 2nd book pupils in that ward. Second book pupils have been taken to central school twice, and still the school is overcrowded. A two-room school will serve ward 4 and the central, he thought, could serve ward 3.
The buildings and grounds committee was instructed to report on enlargement of fourth ward school.
Mr. Haffey reported that it would cost about $5 a week to have kindergarten pupils transported from the fourth ward to central school. It was suggested that it would be about as cheap to open up a west side kindergarten with an afternoon session, so that one teacher would handle both classes, and that this would be much more satisfactory. The kindergarten is so large it will have to be divided anyway.
The committee was also asked to report on this matter.
EXAM PAPERS
Principal Flower asked for the addition of a duplicator to the equipment for printing examination papers. He recommended a Rotary Meostyle which would print from manuscript.
The supply committee was instructed to purchase same.
Board adjourned at 10 o’clock.
Serious Time for Lack of Water
[People’s Press, 19 January 1909]
Niagara Falls, Ont., Jan.17-Fire almost destroyed two residences here this morning and great difficulty was experienced in putting out the flames owing to the lack of water. Fire commenced in the house of Mr. Dobran and spread to the Sheppard residence next door. The fire was caused by Dobran applying a lighted torch to the water pipes, thinking they were frozen. Owing to the quantity of ice in the river there has been no water supply in this city from 7 o’clock last night to 12 o’clock today. The firemen fought the flames with pails of snow, and water was procured from a creek nearby by cutting through the ice with hatchets. Eventually the fire engine was sent up to the creek and the hose inserted under the ice and suction applied. The two houses were destroyed. The damage is estimated at $4,000.
[Welland Tribune, 8 January 1909]
Wellandport, Jan 7-Walter Wilson, who resides ¾ mile north of Wellandport, had the misfortune, at eleven o’clock this morning to have his barn and shed burned.
The barn was valued at $1,000-contents valued from $600 to $700. All the livestock was saved, but considerable damage was done to the grain, hay and seed. Loss estimated at from $1600 to $1700, only partially covered by insurance.
The cause of the fire is unknown.
By Mike Zettel
[Niagara this Week, 23 June 2011]
City firefighters are being commended for the more than 40 hours they spent battling a blaze early Saturday at the former Welland High School on West Main Street.
Police along with the Ontario Fire Marshal, are investigating the blaze and are asking anyone who took pictures or video in the area between the hours of 3:50 and 5 a.m. to submit them, as they could help in the investigation.
At around 3:50 a.m., fire, police and emergency medical officials arrived, finding the building engulfed n flames.
The neighbourhood around the school at 200 West Main St., was still filled with heavy smoke several hours after a fire broke out.
About 15 Welland homes were evacuated as a safety precaution and allowed to return to their homes later in the day.
In total, about 40 fire fighters and at one point every fire truck in Welland were on the scene where emergency workers worked over 40 hours to completely extinguish the blaze.
Welland fire chief Denys Prevost explained the blaze posed some difficulty because, with 12 buildings on the property, gaining access to the burning portions was at times difficult. Prevost pointed out that with cold air moving in, the billowing smoke hung low, flooding the area.
He noted luckily no one was inside the structure, as the buildings would have been quite dangerous for fire personal to enter.
“The guys were running strong all night until that call came in,” said Provost, commending his staff for battling the blaze during an already busy night.
The high school was unused for many years, and had become something of an eyesore, said Welland resident Julie James.
“I just feel so sad,” she said. “My mom went here. My husband went here. First, it sat empty all those years and turned into an eyesore and now this.”
There were no reports of injuries.
West Main Street between Niagara Street and Prince Charles Drive was closed for the weekend, and people had been asked to avoid the area. Sunday’s Rose Parade was rerouted due to the closure.
A demolition company was called in to help fight the fire and Pinchin Environment was brought on scene Saturday to monitor air quality in the area.
“Thousands of residents were affected emotionally,” said Mayor Barry Sharpe during Tuesday’s council meeting. Sharpe commended fire staff for their efforts in battling the blaze and noted that the building will likely have to be completely demolished.
“I do share with many residents a sense of loss,” he added.
Also, the firm Pinchin Environmental has been contacted and was brought on scene Saturday to monitor air quality in the area. City officials are also monitoring water quality, as well. Fire crews were still on site Sunday resulting in a small detour of the Rose Festival Grand Parade found as portion of West Main Street was closed until Monday.
Whenever there’s a particularly high volume of water used, and the water supply is being pulled in a direction it doesn’t normally flow, there’s a possibility of disruption of sediment in the system.
Any residents who experience discoloration in their water are advised to call public works and ask for the Water Quality Division to have someone come out to test the water.
NIAGARA FALLS TOWN
[Welland Tribune, 13 July 1900]
Sunshine or rain, wind, heat or cold, have no effect toward completion of the electric street railway. Half a dozen gangs are now working on different parts of the line. The poles are nearly all up down town, and the careful and efficient manner in which they have been put in is a credit to those who had the work in charge and to the Niagara, St. Catharines and Toronto Company. On part of Erie avenue the poles have had to be set in the pavement, which has been done very neatly and carefully. All surplus and waste material is carefully gathered up and removed and the workmen leave the streets in as good or better shape than they found them. The poles are now being planted along the line to the South. On Victoria avenue the space on the outside of the track has been neatly levelled and graded, and presents a better appearance than it ever did before. All street crossing have been put in good shape, and all decayed planks and timber have been replaced by new lumber.
Connection has been made between the power house at Stamford and the N.F.P. and R. Ry power house at the Falls, and the power from the latter is being used to run machinery in the former until its own engines can be got into running order. F.W. Carter has charge of the electrical department at this end of the line.
The first electric car over the line from St. Catharines to Niagara Falls was run on Wednesday morning. It brought a load of workmen for the Falls View line, and made very good time. A regular service will be put on very soon.
[Evening Tribune, 24 March 1954]
With the celebration of Woolworths first 75 years, Canada’s own Woolworth’s marks its 57th anniversary. It was founded April 30, 1897 when S. H. Knox opened his first store in Toronto. Not long afterward, E.P. Charlton opened a store in Montreal.
Canada was quick to accept the idea of the variety store, and at the inception of F.W. Woolworth, Co., in 1912, the company had 31 stores in the Dominion. At the close of the present anniversary year, 170 Woolworth stores will be in operation in Canada, located in all provinces except Newfoundland.
The growth of Canada’s own Woolworth’s is but a reflection of the growth of the company itself. In a century that has been characterized by industrial development, the industrialization of Canada still stands out as a notable achievement. When Woolworth’s opened in Canada at the close of the nineteenth century, Canada was primarily an agricultural nation. Today, although she remains an agricultural giant, Canada ranks among the great industrial nations of the world.
And her growth is probably only beginning. Blessed with an abundance of such vital natural resources as oil and uranium, Canada is generally regarded by authorities as one of the most promising economic frontiers.
F.W. Woolworth Co., Limited of Canada is an integral part of F.W, Woolworth Co. It receives the support and benefit of the total resources of the parent company. At the same time, Woolworth’s in Canada is entirely Canadian in operation. That is, it is managed and staffed by Canadians at all levels; all purchases are made in Canada; and all but a small percentage of goods sold are of Canadian origin. At all times the Canadian company is represented in the management of the parent company by a Canadian member on the board of directors.
The employees of Canadian Woolworth’s enjoy the same benefits and protections as those of the company in the United States: vacations with pay, Christmas bonuses, participation in the pension plan, and eligibility for help from the employees’ employment fund. Store managers and executive personnel at all levels are eligible for profit sharing. They also enjoy the benefits of the group life insurance and disability policy.
Woolworth’s stores in Canada are in general, worthy representatives of the great country they serve. They have gone the same evolution in policy and the same improvement in physical characteristics as their counterparts in the United States. As the economy of the Canadian nation continues to expand in the years ahead, F.W. Woolworth’s Co., Limited will undoubtedly assume an even more prominent role in the Woolworth organization as a whole.
Woolworth’s is justifiably proud to be a contributor, in small part at least, to Canada’s emergence as the bulwark of the British Commonwealth of nations and as a world power in her own right. Canada’s Woolworth’s is ready for the future.
MANAGER IS KEY
The basic operating unit of F.W. Woolworth’s is the individual store. Therefore, upon the manager of the store-singly and collectively-rests the basic responsibility for the success of the entire organization.
The importance of the store is historic. ______.
[Evening Tribune, 24 March 1954]
After 36 years of service to shoppers at the corner of East Main street and Cross street, Woolworth’s move tomorrow into a luxurious new building on East Main street coinciding with the 75th birthday of the Woolworth organization.
The magnificent new Woolworths is a shopper’s “dream come true” where housewives, and indeed every member of the family, will receive prompt and efficient service at the 1,100 feet of counters. Designed for speedier shopping, the new building has many new and novel features which will make shopping a pleasure.
The old Woolworth’s opened on May 1, 1918, and through the years has given excellent service. But the many improvements installed in the new Woolworth’s buildings erected since, have made the present premises old-fashioned, so last August work started on the erection of a new store.
The buildings facing on East Main street were demolished to make room for the store, and the R. Timms Construction and Engineering Company of Welland erected the new modern building in a very short time.
First things that customers will notice on entering the new store is the lighting, for the whole shopping floor is brilliantly illuminated with daylight lighting. In addition to the usual “hollow square” shopping counters, there are several new counters of revolutionary design at which the sales girl stands outside the counter. Stationed at various points over the store are wrapping stations, where customers can have their goods wrapped and pay for them there too.
A welcome addition is a modern lunch counter, with 56 feet of counter space. Here customers can stop for a snack or have lunch. All food is prepared and baked on the premises daily in a large modern kitchen. All fittings on the lunch counter are of stainless steel.
Another new feature is a shoe department for ladies and children where high class shoes can be obtained. There is also a pet shop department, (Miki Sheils ran this department in the back of the store for many years) and a horticultural counter. Wide spacious aisles ensure that there will be no crowding.
The entire building is air conditioned and has been finished in light colored materials and paints. Downstairs most of the floor space has been given over to storage, with the various goods kept in steel bins. A two-way electric conveyor belt leads from street level, for easier handling of goods. There are also spacious restrooms for the staff and public and employees lounge for the staff of 50, is tastefully decorated and fitted with easy chairs and a radio.
Cooperating with Ray Beattie, the popular manager of the store, are William Ross of the Woolworth construction department in Toronto, Ray Bridle, supervisor of the London district for Woolworth’s and F.L. Gooderham, Toronto, the store opening supervisor for Canada. These four men have been on hand to prepare for the opening of the store tomorrow.
A welcome guest at the opening will be A. B. Munro, the manager of the Welland store from 1929-33, who was raised in Welland. He is now assistant general manager of the Woolworth stores in Canada. In 1953 his position was taken over by Ray Beattie, who has remained as manager of the local store ever since. In his 21 years of service Mr. Beattie has been actively associated with the life of the city, and has done valuable community service with the service clubs and other organizations.
The general contractors for the building were the R. Timms Construction and Engineering Limited who have recently moved into new offices on Lincoln street, West.
“It has been our pleasure to carry out some of the finer buildings in Welland during the past few years such as the new post office, the addition to the Welland County courthouse and the modernization and remodelling of the two Loblaws stores,” said R.H. Timms, vice-president.
“The new Woolworth store is another step in the improvement and expansion of downtown Welland,” he said.
Other firms who participated include, E.S. Fox, plumbing and heating systems, Trans –Canada Fixtures, Libby Air-Conditioning, Ontario and Fulsom Electric Limited, Niagara Falls electrical engineers and contractors.
The interior and exterior mill work was supplied by Niagara Lumber and Planing Mill products of Welland.
A feature of the opening will be the budgie and pet display by the Bio-Vin Company of St. Thomas. There is a special offer in connection with the engineers opening. Besides their fine line of budgies and canaries, the Vio-Bin Mill firm has a country wide reputation for all kinds of pet foods and supplies.
Welland Dairy Limited are supplying the milk for the lunch counter and Canada Bread Limited have the contract for bakery products.
[Welland Tribune March 13, 1947]
Congregation regrets departure of Rev. L.R. Ballantyne
Rev. L.R. Ballantyne, pastor of Central United church has accepted a call to Wesley United church, Brantford, and will be moving to his new charge at the end of June.
Mr. Ballantyne announced the call at a congregational meeting last night, stating that although he was happy in his present pastorate, yet he was disposed to accept the call. The congregation expressed regret at the prospect of his departure, but felt they would place no obstacle in his path.
At the same meeting the congregation extended a call to Rev. F.R Hendershot of Wesley United church, Brantford, to become the pastor here. This action has been ratified by the Official board and recommended to the congregation for their approval.
Mr. Ballantyne will have completed six years of ministry at Central United church when he leaves in June. He had previously served in Sutton West, Palmerston, Orillia and Paris.
A native of Atwood, Ont. He attended high school at Listowel, the Strtaford Normal School and graduated from Knox Theological College University of Toronto. He gave four years service in the First World War, serving in the artillery and later the Y.M.C.A. He was ordained a minister of the Presbyterian Church in 1923.
Officials of the church told the Tribune today that the invitation came first to Rev, Mr Ballantyne from Wesley United church, Brantford some weeks ago, and that when the Official Board was notified of the invitation it unanimously passed a resolution declining to accept Mr. Ballantyne’s transfer, but that following a request made by him after a conference with officials of Wesley Church it was finally decided to accept the transfer being done with keen regret.
Mr. Ballantyne during his six years with Centtral United church has been active in several fields community service. He has been a member of the Canal Area Ministeria Association and has been its president this year. He has been a valued member of Welland Rotary Club, and officials of the club state that he has been one of the most active and helpful chairman the club’s crippled childrens’ committee ever had. His war experience was with the 43rd Battery, Royal Canadian Artillery in World War 1, and he served in France, specifically at the Battle of Passchendaele in October, 1917 when he was wounded. He later served with the Y.M.C.A. in that war.
During his six years with the pastorate of Central United church Mr. Ballantyne has served as chairman of several committees of the Niagara Presbytery.
There has been a steady growth in membership of the congregation during Mr. Ballantyne’s pastorate, and he leaves the church stronger financially than when he arrived.
Mrs. Ballantyne is a vocalist of note in local musical circles, and has been heard often at musical events in the city and district. Mr and Mrs Ballantyne have two children, Anne, who is studying at the University of Toronto and Robert, a third year student at Welland High and Vocational School.
[Welland Tribune March 13 1947]
Car licence trick is worked by bandits who scoop up $2,500
Smithville, Ont. March 13- A bank robbery that almost misfired and which was partially fortified by the timely appearance of a Caistor centre farmer netted five armed bandits approximately $2,500 yesterday afternoon where they held up the Royal Bank here.
The five men, four of them wearing white handkerchiefs on their faces, the fifth wearing dark glasses, entered the bank a few moments before closing time. According to a witness they announced it was a holdup and “just swarmed over the counter. Front and back.”
Earl Wait, the farmer, parked his automobile across the street from the bank and, unaware of the holdup, attempted to enter the building. The bandit keeping watch saw him approach and as he(the farmer) was about to open the door, the man ordered him inside.
Wait realized what was taking place and dashed down the steps from the bank. He scraped his hand as he stumbled but kept running and shouting that the bank was being held up. The bandit on guard took deliberate aim and fired a shot in the direction of the fleeting ma. He missed.
At the sound of the shot, one of the man who was scooping up the money in the teller’s cage said: “let’s get the hell out of here.”
The men. a witness said, filed out of the bank almost leisurely. An accomplice, the sixth of the bandits, was at the wheel of a large automobile in front of the bank and the men scrambled into the vehicle and they drove away. As they did a Smithville woman took the licence number of the car.
Coincidently, three bank inspectors were visiting the building and they with three bank employes were forced to lie on the floor while the bandits gathered their loot. Jean Voll, ledger keeper, was the only woman employe in the bank and declared she was “pretty nervous” at the time.
The bandit car followed Main street and disappeared on No. 20 highway as police threw up a road blockade south of Stoney Creek.
Ingenious License Dodge
Kitchener, March 13-Ontario car thieves are obtaining proper license plates for their booty in an ingenious way which police are trying to circumvent, it was learned here today.
“In fact the man who thought out the scheme is a minor genius,” said a police officer who described the process.
Bandits who held up the Royal Bank at Smithville, Ont. Yesterday made their getaway with $2,500. were said today to have used a stolen car, with regularly-issued plates.
The method, to which police are now wise, entails first of all stealing a new car. Then a false bill of sale is made out, taken to the provincial license issuer who registers the car and turns over the plates.
Three cases of such false registration in February have come to light and two of the cars have been recovered. The third is currently in use by the Smithville quintet, Witnesses took down the number of their car and investigation showed the license to have been issued at New Hamburg to a “Frank Malone. R.R. No. 1, Elmira” was issued plates in Kitchener last Feb 11 but the car was recovered in Ottawa two weeks later.
A car recovered recently in Toronto had been similarly registered at Guelph by a “Mr Taylor of R.R. No. 1 Breslau.”
If the thieves stay clear of the law after registering their car the trick is difficult to detect under present regulations.
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