Fact and Fantasy: A History of Tavistock and District (1967)

Fact & Fantasy: A History of Tavistock & District

Public Services - Page 56

RAIL TRAFFIC

In his essay on the Railway in Tavistock in the School History, 1963, Robert Sparling recorded that among the older agents were: L.C. Battersby, Julius Baxter, and G.W. Reid. Best known to the younger generation were Mr. George Holley, who served from October, 1914 until retirement in 1946, and Mr. James Sparling, who succeeded him, and held the position until April 24, 1960, when passenger service was discontinued. In 1912 J.G. Field & Son became the local agents for the Canadian Pacific line, sponsoring at that time the Homeseeker's Excursions to Edmonton return for $42.

Early in 1968 Mr. Harold Schwartzentruber purchased the station and will move it onto a foundation at 18 Jacob St. The former express shed had been moved some years ago by Mr. Robert Rudy and reconstructed into a house at 246 Hope E., now owned by Mr. Neil Gregory. Mr Rudy also took over the freight sheds, as a storage depot for his building supplies.

THE PEOPLES RAILWAY COMPANY
"Co-operation is the motto that best suits the twentieth century ... It lies at the basis of the hydro-electric scheme promulgated by the provincial government, where the commissioners act as agents of the associated municipalities, whose support has sustained it, while at the same time advantaging each and all of them.

The last development along this line is the undertaking known as "The Peoples Railway Company." Which obtained a charter during the recent session of the Ontario Legislature. It proposes to build an electric line from Woodstock to Guelph through New Hamburg and Berlin with several spur lines -- the district to be served being roughly the triangle inclosed by connecting Woodstock, Stratford and Guelph. With an authorized capital of $1,000,000 the proposal is for each interested Municipality to purchase preference stock in the road, which may be aid for by municipal debentures. Every Municipality subscribing for $20,000 or more of the stock will be represented by a director, and control over salaries is given to the Ontario Railway Board.

The intention goes beyond the provision of transportation service, though that of course is the primary object. Not only will the P.R. Co. operate its trains with electricity obtained from the Hydro-electric Commission, the public undertaking, but arrangements are in progress for distribution of power within a six-mile limit from the railway lines, for the lighting of towns, villages and farm steadings, and to operate domestic and farm equipments. This is the first step towards the utilization of Niagara White Coal for lightening the burden of agiicultural labour and its expansion can with difficulty be over-estimated...."
The Tavistock Gazette - May 20, 1909

The by-law for Tavistock was published in the Tavistock Gazette of May 5, 1909 to issue debentures for $10,000 for 30 years at 4-1/2%. June 2, 1910, the New Hamburg residents passed a bylaw to buy the electric light plant and to grant the P.R. Co. a 25-year franchise to use certain streets.

June 2, 1910, the Township of Wilmont, voting in Wellesley, carried a bylaw to purchase #20,000 of preference stock, with 388 for and 306 against, In the same issue, we read that six municipalities have endorsed the scheme; Berlin for $60,000: Wilmont Tp. for $30,000: New Hamburg for $20,000: Blenheim Tp. for $15,000: Wellesley for $15,000 and Tavistock for $10,000: for a total of $150,000.

June 23, 1910
- back-kicking crank while starting his auto gave Mr. W.A. Bugg a broken nose.

June 30, 1910
- "We shall begin operations at Bridgeport when the Ontario Railway & Municipal Board pass the 27 miles to New Hamburg, with extensions to Fergus, Elora, Arthur and to Puslinch Lake and Hespeler."

July 11, 1910
- first sod turned at Bridgeport.

July 21, 1910
- Mr W.G. Bugg asked Tavistock Council to give the by-law a third reading and pass it: 1910 Council claims IT has no mandate and should resubmit it to the people; it will give no money until the road is completed to Stratford and in operation for 15 days.

August 25, 1910
- Guelph to vote on September 26.

September 26, 1910
- vote went in favour of $85,000 in debentures.

October 13, 1910
- Officers appointed at Berlin meeting

President - George Clare, M.P. Preston

February 23, 1911
The Council meeting in spite of legal advice by Mr. McDonald, brought in by Mr. John Zimmerman, who claimed the Council had the continuing duty to pass the by-law, voted on in 1909, gave a vote to uphold the motion of Baechler and Appel, viz. that Council take no further action: Yeas - Appel, Baechler, Croft; Nays - Kalbfleisch, Zimmerman.

April 13, 1911
The Berlin News in reporting a meeting states that the Canadian Northern Railway had a charter for a line from Pt. Dover to Owen Sound, and had met with Mr. W. A. Bugg, who later received word, that the Senate had passed his Bill.

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