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20A THE OSHAWA TIMES, Tuesday, April 11, 1967 RAPID GROWTH SEEN ESPECIALLY IN PAST YEAR C Of C Plays Active Community Role AJAX (Staff) -- Greater Par- | ticipation from its membership , is asked by Ajax Chamber of| Commerce President William Norris. Mr. Norris said many Ajax in- dustries and retail outlets were "missing the bet' by not par- ticipating more fully in the Chamber's activities. | "With more members the load | could be more equitably shared | by all the town's establish-/| ments," said Mr. Norris," at the | present time only about half of the industries and merchants participate." | Mr. Norris added that with, more participation the Chamber would be in a position to hire a full-time representative. | The Ajax Chamber of Com- merce was incorporated in 1955 and since its inception has! proved to be an active organi- zation in the life of the town, =| FIRST AID COURSE In all its activities the Cham-| ber reflects the rapid growth of | this community of over 9,500 people. | The Chamber annually com-| piles brochures of Ajax indus- | tires and merchants which in tura are sent to potential new industries. The sign visible for miles atop the Ajax watér tower was purchased by the Chamber. Until recently the Chamber owned and installed fire annun- ciater boxes in Ajax factories with direct contact to the town's fire department. An annual first aid course conducted by the St. John's Am- bulance Society is sponsored by by the St. John's Ambulance Society is sponsored by the Chamber. Last year 33 students graduated from this course, this year the figure is expected to double. As a Centennial project, the Chamber hopes to publish a his- tory of Ajax presently being compiled by Mrs. Ruth Benson. This year as in the past the Chamber will enter a contestant in the annual Miss Ajax contest. Last year the Chamber in- Hospital's '66 Revenue $1,275,784 Revenue for the Ajax and Pickering General Hospital in 1966 amounted to $1,275,784. Operation expenditures, in- eluding depreciation on build- ing and interest on loans, which are non-allowable expenses, | amounted to $1,310,702. The net deficit for the year was $34,918 as compared with $60,612 for 1965. The standard ward rate for 1966 was $32, whereas the finalized rate for 1965 was $33.19 The hospital building funds pledged to December 31, 1966, amounted to $424,634.00 with cash received against pledges of $358,277.00. The total sub- scriptions cancelled amounted to $42,764.00. The total capital investment in Land, Buildings and Equipment is $2,688,896. With the assistance of a Con- ciliation Officer from the De- partment of Labor the second contract for Non-Professional Employees was finalized in July of 1966. This contract is for two years and_ expires March 31, 1968. It is hoped that the good relationship that has existed between the Union and the Hospital will continue in the future. One major problem that is plguing hospitals is the short- age of professional staff, espe- cially nurses. One theory that has been ad- vanced time gnd time again is that if hospitals would pay higher salaries they would at- tract many nurses back to stituted an effective supervision course from which 20 foremen and plant managers graduated. The course deals with better in- dustrial and employee relations. Mr. Norris said the Chamber supported the Town Council in their effort to maintain a favor- able 50-50 ratio between residen- tial and commercial develop- ments. He pointed out that in the past 10 years the residential mill rate in the town had in- creased only 17 mills from 69 to 86 for a very favorable ratio compared with neighboring mu- nicipalities. President Norris suggested a bright future for the town and pointed out that the Ajax popu- lation had almost doubled in the past 10 years. Another indicater for the Chamber of Commerce to grow on is the phenominal growth of the town's assessment which has increased by 70 per cené during the past seven years. appears, at the present, that seven lean years are not in the offing for Ajax. SPINNING COTTON IS A WAY OF LIFE - - - Hamilton Cotton employs 150 in Ajax -Oshawa Times Phote nursing. Proud to be a Part of | Whitby's Progress ... Modern New Plant -- Low:ted on Charles St. -- Whitby Have Your "Dream Kitchen" Planned by the R. H. CABINET CO. LTD. Now -- Just In Time For Spring! ! THE R. H. CABINET Co. LTD. 1614 CHARLES STREET, WHITBY Open Monday to Thursday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. -- Saturday, 9 a.m. till Noon Open Friday till 9 p.m. Just For You! PHONE 668-6911