The Axe and the Wheel: A History of West Oxford Township, p. 6

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gravel and dump it as directed on the trust. The gravel pit owner is reim-- road counted as two days. bursed as land is rehabilitated. This When certain roads became well can be done graduvally. The following established as prominent roads pits are licensed -- Gordon Wiseman 1 leading to market places, it became Lot 1 Con. 1; 2 Lot 4, Con. 5; 3 Lot 4, necessary to maintain such roads in a Con.5; Oxford Sand and Gravel Loi 4, manner that goods could be hauvled Con. 4; Victor Cuthbert part of South over them, during all seasons of the half of Lot 4, Con. 5; 1--O--N--X Incorp. year. Since money was not available operated by Thornton Sand and by local taxation for road main-- Gravel Ltd. Lot 1, Con. 1. tenance, groups of settlers formed Cattle were pastured on the road in companies and took charge of the the early days. Stock lags, later called roads. In order to raise funds to keep cow tags, were sold by the township the roads in passable condition and for $2.00 per cow for the season. In make a profit, the companies had toll-- 1933 this by--law was cancelled. The gates erected at strategic places motor traffic became so great it was three to five miles apart. The toll necessary to discontinue this prac-- rates were: single horse one way 5c, tice. to return the same day 8c, a team one Motor traffic also required more way 10c to return same day 16c, cattle maintenance of the roads. Statute 2c each, sheep 1c each. Around 1890 labour was discontinued and men county council bought these toll roads were hired to do roadwork. The early and dispensed with the gates and road graders were horse drawn. The these roads became county roads. first powered grader was bought in The Shelton Gravel Pit located on 1937. the Dereham and West Oxford town An early by--law might have caused line furnished a great deal of the red faces to farmers who were ap-- gravel for West Oxford township prehended for racing their horses and roads. One record in 1894 shows that vehicles and for swearing on township George Shelton Sr., sold 14 cords of roads. gravel for $5.60. The present Mrs. In 1942, a by--law was passed ap-- George Shelton (Josie) grand-- propriating $6500 for expenditure on daughter--in--law estimated that the township roads, divided as follows -- cost at that time was 8c a cubic yard, salary for the road superintendent and in 1975 cost of 1 cubic yard was $800, for maintenance of roads and 30c at the same pit. repairs $5700. The first powered crusher in the A letter was received notifying Shelton Pit appeared around 1912-- council that non marked gasoline 1914. It was powered by a one cylinder must not be used in the unlicensed gasoline motor. There were many equipment without first obtaining the gravel pits in the early part of the consent of the oil controller. A letter century. As near as can be deter-- stressed the need to salvage bones mined, the larger ones were owned by and fats. It also explained the Toronto John Cuthbert, James Currie, J.R. plan for collecting same. Another Elliot, J.S. Reynolds, George Bragg, letter from the West Oxford Women's Karn, A. Almas, Dr. Carroll, John Institute requested a share of the Woret, A. Williamson. returns from the collection of salvage In 1974 the provincial government for their Red Cross work. through the ministry of Natural The hourly rate of pay was raised Resources took control over gravel from 30c an hour to 35c. Gordon pits. There are a number of Wiseman was paid $3.50 an hour for regulations concerning them. It is man and equipment to snow plow. necessary to obtain a permit to This same year permission was operate a pit. The ministry collects 2c granted to the Gypsum Lime and a ton for all sales which is held in Alabastine Co. to alter the course of

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