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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 1948 THE DAILY TI MES:GAZETTE PAGE FIFTEEN 'World's Only Stock Of Curling Stones iMade Ih Ayrshire (Reprinted From "The Weekly tsman') Sco! Even if curling is.not indigen- ous to Scotland--it has been sug- gested that it" originated in the Low Countries -- the game has certainly been established there for several centuries and: it is to Scots enthusiasts that it owes. its great development. Scotland is, indeed, the official headquarters of the '"roarin' game," for what the Royal and An- cient Golf Club of St. Andrews is to the ruleship of golf, the Royal Caledonian Club, founded in 1833, is to curling and curlers the world over. In another sense, too, the Scottish association with the "roar- in' game" is not only supreme but unique, for it is an Ayrshire fac- tory which produces the world's only stocks of curling stones to- day. 3 This factory is situated in the in- Eland village of Mauchline, about 11 | miles from Ayr, and the material "¢rom which it produces its famous Jurling stones is quarried from the rock of the island of Ailsa Craig. in the estuary of the Firth of Clyde, distant ten miles from the , | Ayrshire coast. = * To Scots, Ailsa Craig is known as | "Paddy's Milestone"; to the Irish | it has long been "Brian Boru's Big . | Stone" (a reference to King Brian | Boroimhe, who flourished about I AD. 1000) and there is an old | rhyming malediction:-- "Bad luck. to the gosoon spal- peen, Or Saxon idle drone Who would make filthy lucre Out of Brian's blessed stone." - which, however, has not had any influence in deterring modern enterprise © from utilizing what might . bé called the chips from | Brian's Big Stone to develop a pros- | perous industry in providing the 1 curlers of many countries with the |' equipment needed for their great game. Often an Adventure ™ It is not merely Enterprise but "~ften adventure, that goes to the _larrying of 'Ailsa Craig curling stones.| For the borer who makes t a hole to take the blasting charge frequently, has to operate at a part lof the rock which necessitates his being suspended by a rope down the quarry face. The pieces blasted are carefully examined to ensure that only stone with a good straight run of vein and texture is selected, to be rough-hewn into flat, round blocks, 14 'inches across, and sev- en inches thick, and weighing ap- proximately 100 pounds each. Paired in rough but discrimin- (ating fashion by the blockers, the 'stones are now toppled over on to the breach, loaded into a small rowing-boat, and thus transported ¥ to the bigger vessel lying off- \ shore, which carries them to Gir- l van harbor, where they are railed to the factory at Mauchline, 40 | miles away. | Mauchline has intimate associa- I tions with Robert Burns and Jean § Armour; within its old kirk- yard lie the remains of the Bard's infant . children, and of "Holy Willie", Mary Morison, and others who figure in his works. It is not inappropriate to recall! these asso- ciations of the only community making curling stones with the poet who wrote: "When to the locks the curlers » flock, by Wi' gleesome speed." And, indeed, it is just round the corner from Poosie Nansie's fam- ous hostelry, which Burns im- mortalized in "The Jolly Beggars", that you : find the curling-stone works. . First stage after the stones fro Ailsa Craig have arrived at Mauch- line is' matching them in pairs of the same color and texture--a task demanding much skill and experi- ence, for, while stones are pretty much alike in general appearance, "they vary in shades of color, and also in degree of hardness; and in- equality in a pair of stones must be avoided if perfection or even tisfaction in playing is to be as- 4 3 Having been matched--and some Sevitably discarded in the process to a size 12 pounds heavier 'its finished weight. Ne comes the process of boring 4 . exactly through the center han die, 201° in which to fix the Turned on Lathe Ting the stone is turned in a athe and seduced by means of a cycular. cuter to within 2 pounds ah the tinal weight. . Then comes g process, and the for- mation ot the cup and rim, done ---- on a machine with a system of in- geniously arranged emery bricks. The run is an important feature, for it is upon this that the stone travels on the ice and by which its play is controlled. It was explained to me that the precisely positioned and proportion- ed rim is vital in this connection, especially on the faster ice which they have in Canada, and also, nowadays, on the indoor rinks of this country. The stone is now within a few ounces of the required weight, and at this stage it is placed on a vertical shaft, operating at 700 revolutions a minute, for 'chuck- ing and polishing. . Running water carborundum stones, and a home known as "Water on Ayr stone" -- a stone with special properties found in the bed of the River Ayr a few miles from Mauchline and the produc- tion of which is in. itself another unique industry --make up the polishing process, from which the stone emerges, glistening and beau- tiful. Now it is passed to another room for the job of marking (with a dia- mond) and chiselling (with a tooth- ed hammer) the "belt" round the outer circumference between the upper and lower surfaces. It is upon this "belt" that the stone takes all the hard knocks it gets during play on the ice. Finally, the holes already bored are countersunk square to receive the iron bolts to which the hand- les are affixed. Formerly the hand- les were mostly of ivory or bone, sometimes richly mounted in silyer. Today, the handle is of plastic ma- terial, but in appearance and "feel" it compares wellggwith : the older materials. Weights Vary Weight of curling stones vary. For example, a stone of 44 pounds weight, including the handle, is the maximum used by curlers for outdoor play in this country, but for indoors ice, 38 pounds to 40 pounds is the general run. In Canada the weights are from 38 to 42 pounds with 40 pounds a fair average. In pre-war years the curlers of Switzerland, Sweden and Austria favored stones of 34 pounds to. 36 pounds weight, but now the orders are for heavier stones of 38 pounds to 40 pounds. Present-day prices, by the way, are about 8 pounds per pair, plus 33 1-3 per cent purchase tax. Besides the countries just named, the United States, New Zealand, Poland, Czechoslo jy the, ack Forest country Lr and the French Alps were all regularly supplied with curling stones from this little factory at Mauchline be- fore the war, and orders from the Continent have again come to hand. But. the Mauchline firm's output, which runs to 2,000 pairs of stones a year, is fully booked for the next year or two by Canadian and American orders, and their European customers ' must wait meantime. The Klondyke and Alaska are among the Mauchline firm's cus- tomers. One order in hand at the moment comes from romantically- named Yellowknife, well up in the remote, historic "Gold Rush" area of the North-West; another, for no' fewer than 348 pairs, is from the Alberta Curling Asociation of West- ern Canada, where there are more curlers, and where curling js keener, than perhaps anywhere elde in the world. This unique Scottish industry is certainly flourishing. It would be capable of great expansion were stone of Ailsa Craig and world conditions more favorable. There would then be made possible addi- tions to plant and machinery of the Mauchline factory, as well as to the ranks of its little band of skilled workers: Most of the men have worked in the {factory since boyhood. The dozen among them, septuagenarian David Brown, is still exercising the skill and craft with which he has been turning out curling stones for more than half a century. Long life to him, and to this Scottish vil- lage industry 'with world-wide ramifications. --'"Dyke Fife" BARMAN-MAYOR. FINED Lyttleton, N.Z.--(CP) -- Barman Frederick George Briggs appeared in court for taking bets on_races--an || illegal practice in New Zealand. The magistrate fined him $80 and ex- pressed regret that a man in his im- portant position should break the Jaw. But he was not referring to Briggs' job--he is also mayor of Lyttleton. Last mailing date for local delivery DEC. 18 Allow extra time for out-of-town NO DELIVERY CHRISTMAS DAY labor more plentiful to quarry the. just south" of Sunderland. : Passengers Uninjured As Auto Ditched Occupants were uninjured after this car turned over several times 'Monday when it left No. 12 highway, Owned by Hugh Wright, of Todmorden, it was driven by Mrs. Wright. - Also in it were two-year-old baby and William Wright, bro ther of Hugh. --Globe and Mail Photo Open Air Force Survival School At Fort Nelson - Latest 'RCAF establishment, an Air Force Survival training school, is being set up at Fort Nelson, B.C. and Cambridge Bay, NWT, to in- struct aircrew in methods of bush and Arctic survival, it was announ- ced today in Ottawa. The school, whigh will open this winter, will be staffed by experienced RCAF per- sonnel and will include Eskimoes and Indians on the instructional staff. Ultimate aim of the school is to, train .all RCAF aircrew. actively engaged in northern flying, in "sur- vival techniques. Because of the hazdrdous terrain and rigorous climate encountered by RCAF crews, whose normal flights cover mest of Canada's un- inhabited areas, it was decided that survival training was essential for all airerew. Case, histories of forced- landings in isolated areas show that in many 'cases a. lack of knowledge of self-preservation can | result in undue nardships and often | in needless fatalities. Survival in | most cases depends on a specialized | knowledge of the area of operation, | and the school's aim is to provide this knowledge as a ,possible pre- ventative measure. " The school's syllabus covers both Arctic and bush survival problems. Instruction is given in geography, first aid 'and medical care, use of emergency equipment and clothing, and shelter and rescue téchnique. Simulated forced - landings and practical training in solving sur- vival prodlems are part of the training. Trainees will 'also learn how to ye off the sparse natural foods available in isolated areas. Because the average Eskimo speaks little or no English a course in basic Bskimo is included in the syllabus, In charge of the school is F/O R. J. Geodey,: of Winnipeg and Chilliwack, B.C., who speaks a number of Eskimo and Indian dia- lects fluently. He will be assisted by experienced RCAF oficers and NCOs, and a number of Eskimoes and Indians will round out the in- structional staff. The school will also be used as a centre for testing and developing new types of clothing and emerg- ency equipment. Modern Soldier Must Be Smart Norton Fitzwarren, Somerset, England--(CP)--The days when a soldier 'was 'regarded as "just a bone-headed man. who never thought for himself" are finished, says Lt.-Col. W. M. Lillie, chief in- structor at the Army Apprentice School here. "The modern soldier has to be skilled in dealing with the more complicated technical parapherna- lia of war. There can never be enough skilled qmen in the regular army." ! $50 - $500 * $1000 FOR EMERGENCIES When you need money, barrow from HouseHOLD FINANCE, Canada's oldest and largest consumer finance organization. ! You may borrow $50, $100, $200 or up to $1000 on your own signa- ture without endorsers or bankable security. Repay monthly --6, 12, 18 or even 24 months, depending upon the repayment plan you -choose. Loans are made to single persons or married couples. Borrow for Any Good Reason HFC cutoniers borrow to consoli- date past due bills, pay 'medical expenses, repairs, seasonal or emergency expenses, and for many other purposes. Phone or see us for prompt; friendly service. 18 Simcoe Street South | Dver Kresge's Phone Oshawa 3601 OSHAWA, ONT, Hours 9 19 5 or by appointment toans mode to residents of nearby towns seme Wit visi SikcE 1878 OUSEHOLD 77f7) FINANCE ( 'Bed Before Roof' In Malayan Jungle Singapore, tain's young training to wipe out Malaya's Communist in- surgents, are learning to be com- bination "footpads, cat: burglars and poachers." That's how one veteran officer describes the special education in jungle warfare given in a British Army camp "somewhere in the jungles." The 3,000 or more Communist guerrillas fighting to overthrow British authority in Malaya special- ize in hit-and-run tactics. Counter- attacks, consequently, depend on split-second reaction, boldness and accuracy. The jungle fighter must be quick and daring in close quarter combat, with or without weapons. One course .at the training camp teach- es everything from how to break a half-nelson to how to disarm a gword-brandishing attacker when weaponless, Yellow and green tin targets in head and shoulder shapes are set up along a narrow, winding jungle path. Some of the targets spring up automatically when the soldier ap- proaches. The novice jungle fighter creeps along the path, firing at every target sighted. Reminded that every one missed represents a shoot ing enemy, he learns quickly. Britain's jungle warriors learn, too, how to become part of the jungle shadows, camouflaged by green uniform and makeup for hands and face. The Tommy's textbook for Ma- laya eventually embraces much more than that. It includes how to cross a river fully dressed amd with full kit, building jungle shel- ters, knowing which jungle plants to use and which to avoid and how to cook without dishes and without smoke. When it comes to living in Ma- laya's jungles, the young Briton learns a completely new technique of housing and housekeeping. Jungle huts require bamboo, palm or "umbrella" leaf, plus patience and ingenuity. Furniture usually consists solely of a hard bamboo cot, set about a foot above the nef. 14--(AP)--Bri- | ground, safe from snakes, creeping soldiers, insects and dampness. "When the choice is between a roof and a hed," the instructor ex- plained, "the bed comes first." Want a Home? Try The North Winnipeg -- (CP) -- Troubled by the housing shortage? Then north- ern Canada is the place for you, says Weldon Hannaford, federal government georhysicist. The north has no housing short- age. "Plenty of building material, said Mr. Hannaford, explaining that, all you need for an igloo is snow. He is a member of the Do- minion Observatory in Ottawa and stopped in Winnipeg on his way to Baker Lake, NW.T., where he will collect data on changes in the carth's magnetic field. Mr. Hannaford said the eastern Arctic was vastly different {rom the romantic north depicted by authors. 5hat "north" was the eastern Arctic, which had trees, more pros- perous natives and less violent storms. Old Country Letter By STUART UNDERHILL Canadian Press Staff Writer London, Dec. 14 -- (CP) -- A riotous campaign, mixing malice and mirth, is being waged in Brit- ain over state control of public houses /The government's new licensing bill would provide-for state man- agement of pubs in "new towns" envisaged in the natienal rehousing program. But the Conservative press and spokesmen profess to see a trend toward country-wide control of inns. "Thé public houses of England form an essential part of demo- cratic life of the country," said the Condon Evening Standard. "Apart from providing relaxation and entertainment, they offer a forum for political discussion. "Yet if the pubs were brought under state management, how much easier it would be for a totalitarian government to listen to what people were saying, how much easier to tell them what to say ..."" Nearly every pub displays a peti- | tion form urging "hands off pubs" which customers are urged to sign. Some people say those who refuse to sign are out of luck when they try to buy scarce cigarettes over the bar. There is o talk of feeming a fund to fight the government bill. Meanwhile, cartoonists have been having an uproarious time portray- ing publicans, and sometime pa- trons, in striped pants and black jackets, traditional garb of civil servants. They and nearly every- one else overlook the fact that the government has been running thg pubs in Carlisle and elsewhere since the first world war without visitors noting any difference. The latest hoot of derision came when Home Secretary Chuter Ede told the Commons in reply to a question that provision would be made in state pubs for darts play- ing. : "One of the more useful aspects of a dartboard in any of these hostelries will be that it will keep customers happy while their ap- plications (in quadruplicate) for pints of wallop are being sorted, rubber-stamped, sent to the cen- tral .registry, lost, resubmitted through proper channels and (at length) passed to the distribution department for action," said the Evening News, Candidus, writing in the Daily Graphic, suggested that the Social- ists would chance the historic names of pubs, many of which re- call ancient aristocrats. However, he predicted they would leave un- changed the name of a& famous London pub, "The World Upside Down." THANKS A LOT JUDGIE . 1 HAVE TO RUSH NOW, MORE DAYS TIL CHRISTMAS ANDIM | ONLY, SHOPPING AT CHRISTIANS of # Plan Campaign To Use Seeds Of Top Grade A campaign to increase crop pro- duction by use of registered seed will be undertaken in Ontatio dur- ing the coming months, it was dis- closed today. : With large quantities of excellent seed available on farms and expori- markets not quite as brisk as in former years, high quality seed will be used to good advantage by On- tario agriculturists. According to members of the Seed Marketing and Publicity Committee of "he Ontario Crop Improvement Associatio :, the demand will con- tinue to increase from now until seeding time. The Seed Marketing and Publicity group were in session quite recently discussing this. "From the standpoint of a farmer purchasing seed, it is advisable for him to consider the price per bush- el for feed grain plus cost of clean- ing. bags, transportation, wastage and low value of screenings," a mamber of the committee says. "After all these costs are tallied, money spent for registered seed of a known variety will be considered good business because properly graded seed conatins a minimum of weeds; it has guaranteed ability to germinate and the large plump seeds are more likely to produce strong vigorous plants. "These in turn result in higher yields per acre of more desirable quality." "There is actually no loss from registered seed. Every -kernel is ready for the seed-box and that little parcel of seed contains the material necessary to bring about really productive crops." ' "Shoeshine, Sir?" Bargain at a Cent Greenford, Middlesex, England-- (CP)--Twelve-year-old Brian Apple- by has opened a bargain shoeshine business at Horsenden secondary school. During the morning recess and the lunch hour Brian and two other boys polish shoes in the playground at a halfpenny (one cent) a time. "Half of the profits go towards running expenses," Brian said, "but the bulk of it we are saving to give a Christmas party for poor child- ren. '"What gave me the idea was hear- ing so many mothers complaining about their boys' dirty shoes." "ANGORA" BERETS "Oshawa"s Leading Sportswear Shoppe" 33 Simcoe St. N. Phone 3F18 AS A FIDDLE THANKS T0 IVER CUANUNESS WORKING is actually fun when you're feeling fit! So keep clean inside. Try the ANDREWS way to "inner cleanli- ness". You'll find a new spring in your step . . . a brighter twinkle in your eye. Here's how sparkling, bubbling ANDREWS LIVER SALT does its healthful work: FIRST. . . ANDREWS cleans and refreshes the mouth and tongue. NEXT... ANDREWS sweetens sour stomach and corrects excess Wrst g nr \ ~~ stomach acidity, THEN... ANDREWS works on the . * liver to check biliousness. FINALLY . . . 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