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Early Settlement Villages Churches 1842 Government Highways 1850 Council Hotel Licences Officials  |
Downie Hotel Licences
Downie seems to have been well supplied with houses of public entertainment, for whose government, from time to time, were passed very stringent laws. On February 9th, 1850, it was enacted that all persons keeping houses for the sale of beer, ale, or other manufactured beverages, not spirituous, by the glass or quart, if drunk on the premises, and for the sale of victuals, fruits, clams, oysters, as an eating house or ordinary, shall pay a license fee of £2 10s. per annum. If any gambling or disorderly conduct was allowed on the premises, then the proprietor was subject to a fine of not less than £2, 10s., nor more than £5, upon conviction thereof.
By-laws regarding hotel licenses were more stringent still, and regulated on a sliding scale as to locality, where such business was carried on. It was enacted that every applicant must be a person of good moral character; in fact, he must satisfy the inspector of such facts in order that a certificate may be issued. His house must contain at least three rooms and three beds over and above those used by his own family. He was also required to have a driving house with stabling for at least three horses, and a yard enclosed to hold cattle. Having these equipments for accommodating the public, and the inspector being satisfied as to his moral character, and steady, sober habits, a license would be issued to keep a house of public entertainment, and to sell beer, ale, wines, and all spirituous liquors. For this privilege granted, if an applicant resided in the village of Stratford, he paid therefor £7 10s.; if on the Huron road, £5; if on the Zorra and St. Marys road, £4; and in any other part of the township £3, 10s.; with, in all cases, a fee of 5s. to the clerk. For any infringement of this law, heavy penalties were inflicted of not less than £5, nor more than £20, with the pernicious rider, that one half should go to the informer. Downie does not appear to have had within her limits, at any time, more than eight hotels, the number at present (1902) being four. Subsequent to passing the Crooks Act, in 1876, no legislation has been enacted affecting the traffic or requirements of houses of public entertainment.
On the 31st day of May, 1880, the first code of by-laws relating to rules of order, and the duties and responsibilities of officers, was submitted, and finally passed. This code remained in force for a period of fifteen years. In 1895, under the reeveship of Nelson Monteith, Esq., it was re-considered, when, with several alterations and amendments, rendered necessary by changed conditions in the municipality, it was again adopted, and now forms the latest revised statutes of Downie.
In 1844, Downie contained 1,370 inhabitants, including that portion of Stratford within its limits. In 1845, 2,777 acres were under cultivation. In 1850, the population had increased to 2,375, and 7,621 acres were under cultivation. The product of the crop of 1849 was 27,000 bush. of wheat, 24,000 bush. of oats, 5,000 bush. of peas, 19,000 bush. of potatoes, 13,000 bush. of turnips, 20 tons of maple sugar, 4,000 lbs. of wool, and 6,000 lbs. of butter.
Downie has now ten school sections, one of which is a Separate school, and five unions.
Downie seems to have been well supplied with houses of public entertainment, for whose government, from time to time, were passed very stringent laws. On February 9th, 1850, it was enacted that all persons keeping houses for the sale of beer, ale, or other manufactured beverages, not spirituous, by the glass or quart, if drunk on the premises, and for the sale of victuals, fruits, clams, oysters, as an eating house or ordinary, shall pay a license fee of £2 10s. per annum. If any gambling or disorderly conduct was allowed on the premises, then the proprietor was subject to a fine of not less than £2, 10s., nor more than £5, upon conviction thereof.
By-laws regarding hotel licenses were more stringent still, and regulated on a sliding scale as to locality, where such business was carried on. It was enacted that every applicant must be a person of good moral character; in fact, he must satisfy the inspector of such facts in order that a certificate may be issued. His house must contain at least three rooms and three beds over and above those used by his own family. He was also required to have a driving house with stabling for at least three horses, and a yard enclosed to hold cattle. Having these equipments for accommodating the public, and the inspector being satisfied as to his moral character, and steady, sober habits, a license would be issued to keep a house of public entertainment, and to sell beer, ale, wines, and all spirituous liquors. For this privilege granted, if an applicant resided in the village of Stratford, he paid therefor £7 10s.; if on the Huron road, £5; if on the Zorra and St. Marys road, £4; and in any other part of the township £3, 10s.; with, in all cases, a fee of 5s. to the clerk. For any infringement of this law, heavy penalties were inflicted of not less than £5, nor more than £20, with the pernicious rider, that one half should go to the informer. Downie does not appear to have had within her limits, at any time, more than eight hotels, the number at present (1902) being four. Subsequent to passing the Crooks Act, in 1876, no legislation has been enacted affecting the traffic or requirements of houses of public entertainment.
On the 31st day of May, 1880, the first code of by-laws relating to rules of order, and the duties and responsibilities of officers, was submitted, and finally passed. This code remained in force for a period of fifteen years. In 1895, under the reeveship of Nelson Monteith, Esq., it was re-considered, when, with several alterations and amendments, rendered necessary by changed conditions in the municipality, it was again adopted, and now forms the latest revised statutes of Downie.
In 1844, Downie contained 1,370 inhabitants, including that portion of Stratford within its limits. In 1845, 2,777 acres were under cultivation. In 1850, the population had increased to 2,375, and 7,621 acres were under cultivation. The product of the crop of 1849 was 27,000 bush. of wheat, 24,000 bush. of oats, 5,000 bush. of peas, 19,000 bush. of potatoes, 13,000 bush. of turnips, 20 tons of maple sugar, 4,000 lbs. of wool, and 6,000 lbs. of butter.
Downie has now ten school sections, one of which is a Separate school, and five unions.
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