100 YEARS AGO Thursday, July 2, 1908

• A comprehensive system of street improvements is expected as the result of a visit to Orangeville last week by A. W. Campbell, Ontario's Deputy Minister of Public Works, during which he inspected the town's streets and sidewalks and addressed a public meeting in the town hall on the subject of road improvements.

Not having visited the town for more than 12 years, he said he was pleased at its splendid sidewalks, saying Orangeville had a greater mileage of good cement walks than any town of similar size in the province, nearly $100,000 having been spent in this direction. However, little improvement had been observed in the condition of the streets. Government accounts showed nearly $35,000 had been spent in the past10 years with no permanent results, and the methods employed in attempted improvements were extravagant and oldfashioned and should be discarded in favour of modern ways. Narrow roadways, 20 to 24 feet wide, were advocated for residential streets, and the main problem to be dealt with was drainage. He condemned the common practice of dumping gravel and earth in mud holes without even rolling it off, and recommended the acquisition by the town of a stone crusher and steam roller. He said screened gravel was the best material for local conditions. His brilliant and practical address was frequently applauded and a vote of thanks was passed, moved by Postmaster John Park and seconded by ex-Mayor Stevenson.

• The CPR's Winnipeg Limited came to grief on the new Sudbury line Saturday about 1 1/2 miles north of Tottenham when five coaches were toppled over a small embankment and two of the 150 passengers were reported seriously hurt. The cause of the wreck was probably the lifting of a crossing plank, since the locomotive did not leave the track. Some of the sleeping cars took the tumble well and escaped with little damage more than broken windows. Four of the injured were taken to Toronto Hospital.

• Shelburne's contingent from the military camp at Niagara-onthe Lake - No. 7 Co., 36th Regiment and the regimental band - struck luck on their return trip this year, reaching town at 2:30 p.m. instead of about 10 o'clock at night. It tickled them so much to get home early that as the boys marked down Main Street the band played that beautiful melody, "I'm Afraid to Come Home in the Dark." The return trip was made by the steamer Corona to Toronto, then by rail, instead of rail all the way. Captain Gabriel and 10 members of the company will accompany the 36th Regt. quota to the Quebec Tercentenary.

• Orangeville had ideal weather for its Dominion Day celebrations, a goodly crowd assembling and enjoying no lack of music, since the Markdale, Dundalk, Shelburne (36th Regt.), Orangeville and Alton bands were all present. There was a parade of school children, cadets and bands in the forenoon and in the afternoon a parade by the massed bands followed by band concerts on the grounds, acrobatic performances, etc., and lacrosse and baseball matches. The most regrettable incident of the day took place in the lacrosse match between Orangeville and Dundalk, during which Clarey of the Dundalk team had his nose broken and face badly cut by Morrison of the home team.

75 YEARS AGO Thursday, July 6, 1933

• Present indications are that there will be a bang-up crowd in Shelburne Wednesday of next week for the Dufferin County Loyal Orange Lodge celebration of the 243rd anniversary of the Battle of the Boyne. A large number of lodges have already signified their intention of being present. The parade will take place from the town hall corner to Berwick Park, where an address of welcome will be given by Reeve T. F. Brown.

• The provincial Department of Highways has rejected a request by Dufferin County that the county either be relieved of its share of the cost of repaving the Melancthon Station-Dundalk portion of Highway 10 or not be charged interest on the amount for one year.

50 YEARS AGO Wednesday, July 1, 1958

• At a largely attended meeting in Arthur, the Liberals of Wellington Dufferin elected as their candidate in the next provincial election Bert Holtom of Drew, now Warden of Wellington County. The riding is currently represented by John Root, Conservative.

• Lorne Lodge No. 377, A.F. & A.M. has bestowed a Half-Century Medal on T. F. E. Claridge, who besides having been a member of the Lodge for 50 years, has been its treasurer for 43 years.

25 YEARS AGO Wednesday, July 6, 1983

• Five Orangeville area youths met Prince Philip Saturday at the presentation in London of the Duke of Edinburgh's Gold Award Certificates.