PAPANUI SUBURB.

PAST PROGRESS AND FUTURE PROMISE. AN EARLY-SETTLED DISTRICT. Induced by the great possibilities, the vast bush that existed,' and the richness of the soil,' many of the pioneers who came in the First Four Ships pitched their camps at Papanui, as the most likely place to start afresh in the country of their adoption. In a very short time after the arrival of the ships, Papanui became a centre of great activity. Trees were felled, sawn into boards by hand, and then carted by bullock waggon along the track, which to-day iB. known as the Papanui road, to build homes —homes that have long since disappeared in the growth of the City of Christchurch. For upwards of 30 years the Papanui Bush supplied the building requirements of the City, and all that is left to-day of that great forest is a solitary tree in the orchard of Mr Chas. Sisson, on Langdon's road. With the bush cleared, rapid progress was made. Extensive cultivation was carried out, and for the next quarter of a century the settlers reaped a bountiful harvest for their labours. During that period the march of progress continued, and in 1923 the township was included within the boundaries of the City of Christchurch. Since then the whole suburb .has been transformed. The Papanui road—the bullock track of 50 years ago—has given place to a paved highway, and modern artistic bungalows (each with a beautiful garden) lino the route. Ify-to-date shops ana places of business that'cater for every possible need of the community occupy the site of the settlers' camp, now Memorial Square. In order that the progress may be> maintained, the Papanui Progresss League and the Papanui Beautifying Association are ever on the alert. For the lover of flowers the Papanui Horticultural Society provides an annual exhibition which is second to none in the province. Sport is catered for in all its branches, and in the Papanui Amateur Spbrts Club the can bbast one of the premier cycling clubs of the Dominion.

To the memory of her 38 sons who paid the supreme sacrifice in the Great War, Papanui erected the Memorial Hall. This fine building also houses an up-to-date library. With a largo floor space, amplp seating accommodation, and comfortably heated, the main hall is well adapted for all sorts of social gatherings, including tho showing of motion pictures. Keeping abreast with the times, the screening of a sound film to-night marks' the of ' the hall, as a talkie theatre. "