535-03 Page 199This stately home
1of _ treasures -
Editors note: Last week,
writer W. E. Elliott told the
major portion of the Coniston
Place story, outlining the his-
tory of Tillsonburg's founding
family, the Tillsons, and its
Victorian Mansion. He also in-;
troduced readers to Charles
VanDyke Cool m who bought
the Tillson house in 1929. This
week more background on Dr
Corless is presented as the
story continues.
By W. E. ELLIOTT
The record thereafter re-
flects the intense industry and
perseverance which he applied -
to his studies and to the work
that followed, on the way to
the top. At McGill he took the
full four years, studying much
in engineering libraries, and
attaine&high standing in all
undergraduate years. He re-
ceived the degree of B.Sc.,in
mining, hlong with other hon-
ors. He spent his summers in
mines across the country,
from Nova Scotia to British
Columbia.
At the close of his university
session, he accepted a post un-
der the resident engineer as
inspector of three of the Angus
shops, then being erected in
Montreal; then he was en.
gaged to go to British Colum-
bia to examine coal proper-
ties. He then assisted Dr. Por-
ter in the mining department
of McGill until in 1904, a call
came from Mond Nickel Com-
pany of London to become su-
perintendent of its property in
the Sudbury area. This was
the beginning of Dr. Corless'
serious mining practice. He
carried out the explorations
which led to the acquisition by
the Mond Company of valua-
ble mines and to discovery of
the Frood Extension.
Moving the smelter from
Victoria Mines to Coniston in
1913, with only a few days lag
in operation, early electrifica-
tion of the plant and the
choice of 60-cycle current ex-
emplified Dr. Corless' fore-
sight and initiative. From
time to time he addressed
gatherings in Britain and the
United States regarding Cana-
da's mining potential. He be-
came manager of the Mond
Company in 1908 and a direc-
tor in 1918, and, after his res-
ignation, was appointed a con-
sultant. He was 'a member of
the American Institute of Min-
ing and Metallurgical Engi-
neers, the Institute of Mining
and Metallurgy (London), and
the Royal., Canadian Institute.
He served as president of the
American Nickel Corporation,
the Canadian Institute of Min-
ing and Metallurgy, the On-
tario Mining Association, and
was a member of Dominion
and provincial research coun-
cils.
When he left the organiza-
tion at Coniston, the directors
presented him with a hand-
some silver service, and staff
members made him a gift of
another silver service, made
in England and very ornate.
Brought up as a member of
the Friends (Quakers) Dr.
Corless attended their meet-
ings during his early years in
Oxford and also after return-
ing to the county.
In Tillsonburg, his experi-
ence in education resulted in
his being requested to accept
nomination to the high school
board, and he served on it for
several years.
A remarkable -if not unique
—exchange of lingual tuition
is recalled in connection with
Dr Corless and Victor H. Till -
son. The former, who had
taught Greek in Norwich High
School, tutored Mr Tillson in Mr Tillson was stationed in the language, and still visits the finest student he eve)
that language and from him Italy in the First World War, Italy almost every year. Dr. taught, not only in Greek bu
received instruction in Italian. acquired a good knowledge of Corless considered Mr. Tillson in general.
Charles VanDyke Carless, who bought the mansion
now known as Coniston Place from the Tillson fam-
ily of Tillsonburg in 1929 delighted in art treasures
and beautiful furniture. He retired at .age 60 and
had many years to gather the collection of fine
items now in Coniston Place like the grandfather
clock, the nearby table and chandelier at left. At
right is stairway with fancy light and some of the
paintings that graced walls throughout the house.
(Sinden Photo Studio).
lNew redeC� �S O
i�-
-
,0-8 tA,rcwo0d Acresproject
126 _7V 1'1 Z
He says that $8o,000 has been
----
TILLSONBURG (Staff) — Sat.
received from the provincial'
Both Oxford and :Elgin count-)
rday marked the opening a as
government on a basis of $5,000
ies have pledged grants of $5,
n 6-bed. residence on the 94-
per bed and the government will
000 and $2,000, respectively, on
acre Arcwood Acres site oper I
pick up so per cent of operating
the condition that Norfolk Coun.
costs after three months
ty also pledges a grant,
ated by the Tillsonburg and Dis
triet Association for the Mental
The remaining 20 per cent will
be paid by the residents them-
I
Mr. Benner says that addit i ;
ional residences in 1973 and 1975 i 1
� _
y Retarded,
�cwood Acres is located on
selves, Mr. Benner explained,
who are over 18 years of age
land
have been contemplated
plated, how-
ever, he adds that under the
Highway 19, four miles north of
here, and has been in Operation;`
receive a disability pension'
He adds that applicants under'
18 years of
present grant structure this,
does not appear possible.
"We'd
for the past two years.
age will also be acJ-
commodated if possible. is
need a miracle because s
i the grant structure is so anti-, s'
The total cost of the new res- F
idence i g
s $175 000, including
SERVES COUNTIES :e
quated", he says i:.
furnishings and will accommo-
date 14 residents, plus two staff
The purpose of the centre,!
which serves Oxford, Norfolk j
members,
and Elgin counties, is to assist'
The centre, for the past two .
total
forPthelainmein ntally retarded it
years, has operated out of an
;says, he
l
old farm house which housed
four residents plus administra-
ll
Mr. Benner explains that the
tion staff, a
residential farm is an extension!
.of the association's
The farm area of the centre
school and
workshop program.
,has been used for growing cash e
crops which -are sold at a road-
He says public support of the
side stand.
venture, to date, has .been "tre.
At present the centre requires'.-
mendous".
an additional $70,000 plus the h
Fund raising events planned!
to help
first three months operating ex -Id
penses to remain in operation, 3
raise the remainingi
costs are a bike-a-thon in May;
F. A. Benner, -chairman, says,n
.. — _
and a white elephant sale ini'
June.
7
dr
-- i141,
64"1
_"