MORRINSVILLE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 256, 29 October 1934, Page 11

MORRINSVILLE.

DIAMOND JUBILEE. WEEK OF CELEBRATION ENDS. THE « OLD-TIME " SPIRIT. (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) MORRINSVILLE, this day. In the Morrinsville's diamond jubilee celebrations, which ended during the week-end, the great material progress made, from 1574, when the Morrin family took Tip 30,000 acres of tea-tree-covered land, to the present day, when Morrinsvillo is one of the most prosperous provincial towns, has been fittingly emphasised. The "old-time" atmosphere was reproduced in the procession that traversed the town on Saturday afternoon, prior to the gala day at the Recreation Ground. Leading the procession were the combined Morrinsville and Te Aroha Bands, followed by two four-wheeled buggies filled with young folk in old-tinie costume. A "bicycle built for two" added a further appropriate touch. Races for children were the chief feature of the gala day sports programme, and a liberal distribution of small change resulted from a succession of juvenile events. Men and women riders from all parts of the district competed with enthusiasm in mounted events. Great success attended the committee's efforts to make this function a real "oldtime." country picnic, such as those that used to be a feature of every provincial centre in earlier days. A baby show was an additional attraction. The leading mounted event, the open jumping contest, was won by R. Douglas on Myrtle, with Miss X. Ranstead, on Creamy, second, and J. T. Robinson's Sir Musk third. Tho maiden jump resulted: W. Gaddes 1, F. Sing 2, J. T. Robinson 3. Footballers' Reunion. Rugby football was first played in Morrinsvillo about 1884, so the Morrinsville- Rugby Sub-union took the opportunity of organising a reunion dinner of old footballers of 25 years back or longer. This gathering on Saturday evening was the first effort made in recent years to bring together old players of the district, and like the other events, it was marked by great enthusiasm. The present generation of footballers was represented at the dinner by the Morrinsvillo senior team, which has for many seasons had a great run of success in matches for the Peace and Finlay Cups, the most coveted interunion football trophies in Waikato. The president of the sub-union. Mr. D. R. F. Campbell, who plaved for Morrinsville from 1899 to 1909, pVesided. The toast of tho Morrinsville sub-union was proposed by his son, Mr. K. Campbell, a Morrinsvillo representative for many years. Tho toast of "Absent Ones" was in the hands of Mr. W. J. N«els, another veteran player. Mr. W. Howard proposed tho toast of the "Waikato Rugby Union," and Mr. B. Chapman responded.

Combined Religious Service. A fitting conclusion to the week of celebrations was the combined religious service held in the Strand Theatre yesterday afternoon. The Mayor,,Mr; W. T. Osborne, presided, and members of the ministers' fraternal took part in the service. The main address was delivered by the Rev. J. H. Starnes, the senior minister in point of residence in the district, who emphasised the debt of gratitude the present generation owed to the pioneers, and referred to the progress of religious institutions since the first settlers came to Morrinsville. In the 'eighties and 'nineties church services were held in the village school by ministers who rode on horseback from Hamilton, Cambridge or Te Aroha. By 1595 the district rose to the dignity of erecting a church, which was used Sunday about by all denominations. This church, still standing in the main street, was later consecrated as an Anglican church, and as the population increased the Methodists built a church in 1903, the Presbyterians and Baptists in 1909, and the Roman Catholics in 1913. Among those at the, service were a large number of settlers of 40 years' standing, for whom special seats were reserved. 8 The theatre wa-s filled to capacity, and there was a heartiness about the singing which indicated how the people of both the older and the younger generations appreciated the occasion.