EIGHTY YEARS OLD TO-DAY

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21908, 8 October 1936, Page 3

EIGHTY YEARS OLD TO-DAY

MR WALTER JOHNSON, OF RANGIORA

AN EARLY ARRIVAL IN NEW ZEALAND

An arrival at Lyttelton on the sailing vessel Zealandia in 1858, Mr Walter Johnson (Rangiora), who is well known in Christchurch for his active interest in education, sport, and Oddfellowship, will celebrate his eightieth birthday to-day. He was born at Brecon, Wales, on October 8, 1856, and came to the colony at the age of two, settling in Christchurch with his parents. It was during his schooling at St. Michael’s and the Christchurch High School in Lincoln road (now the Christchurch West High School) that his interest in sport and volunteering began, and he can claim that he is the oldest volunteer in Canterbury. He joined the first cadet company at the High School in 1868, reached the rank of captain in 1876, was adjutant to the First Canterbury Regiment under Colonel Packe, was lieutenant in the Sydenham Rifles from 1883 to 1885, and at the end of this year was captain in the Woolston Rifles. This was at the time of the Russian “scare” and volunteering was very active. Interest In Education

Mr Johnson was a member of the West Christchurch Education Committee in 1888, and served lor 29 years as secretary of the Addington School Committee from its formation in 1891He also served on the Canterbury Education Board from 1924 to 1932.

In the realm of sport, Mr Johnson’s chief interest was swimming and lifesaving, and he has retained an active connexion with swimming throughout, his life, having coached children at the Rangiora municipal baths as recently as last season. For saving a life at Napier in 1895, he received the Royal Humane Society’s medal .and certificate. He was the first secretary of the Life-Saving Club formed in Christchurch in 1910, and visited England in 1911 as the guest of the Royal Life-Saving Society. In Rugby football and hockey. Mr Johnson was both a player and a referee. He began the Addington Men’s Hockey Club and refereed the first inter-provincial men’s hockey match between Canterbury and Wellington. Lodge Activities

For 60 years, Mr Johnson has belonged to the Independent Order of Oddfellows, Manchester Unity, having joined the Loyal Benevolent Lodge in Christchurch in June, 1876. He transferred to the Loyal Addington Lodge in 1884, and filled the N.G.’s chair in 1887, 1899, and 1913. He was District Grand Master in 1920 and has served the Addington Lodge as trustee for 37 yearsMr Johnson was employed in the Lands and Deeds Registry Department of the civil service at Napier and Christchurch, and was a popular officer at both centres. While in Christchurch, he was a member of the Sydenham Borough Council and worked on the first committee set up to consider a high pressure water supply scheme for the borough. A resident of Rangiora for more than 10 years, Mr Johnson takes a keen interest in affairs in the town and is an enthusiastic supporter of sports clubs. He was married to Miss E. Dickinson, of Christchurch, in 1881.

OXFORD

PLAN TO ABOLISH RIDINGS ABANDONED

The monthly meeting of the Oxford County Council was held on Tuesday. There were present: Crs. P. Fisher (in the chair), L. Watson, F. J. Gorton, W. H. Collings, C. F. Bassett, and H. G. Parish. Consideration was given to the destruction of small birds, and the opinion was expressed that the small birds probably did more good than harm. It was held that the birds fed, among other insects, on the white butterflj* and the diamond-backed moth, and in view of this it was decided not to purchase bird’s eggs. The reserves committee recommended the immediate re-erection of the women’s bathing room' at the Ashley Gorge Domain. A letter was received from the secretary of the Oxford Library Committee asking the council to take over the management of the library. The council did not agree to the proposal. A letter was received from F. G. Cleeve asking the council to raise the registration fees of dogs, as many lambs had been destroyed. Messrs J. E. H. McGrath and W. J. Barnett interviewed the council with a petition signed by 20 ratepayers asking that the Four Chain road be graded to Bealey, and that the Kiri Kiri road be improved. It was decided to inspect the road. The council decided to install a tele- * phone at Efford’s Flat, on the Lees Valley road, for the benefit of the public.

Accounts amounting to £B2B 3s Id were passed for payment. In view of the legal aspect, which made the proposal impracticable, the motion to abolish ridings and waterrace areas was not proceeded with. It was decided to complete the purchase of a light trucjc.

WAIAU CROQUET CLUB’S OPENING

The Waiau Croquet Club held its tenth annual opening on Saturday afternoon, in perfect weather. Mrs J. O. Davies, vice-president of the club, declared the season open and played the first ball.

The afternoon was spent in playing competitions, which resulted as follows:—Angles, Mr J. Parker; scallywag, Mr J. Parker; one-ball break. Miss Catharine Boag. A bring-and-buy, held on the expounds to augment funds for a pavilion, was very successful, Presbyterian Ladies’ Guild The tri-weekly meeting of the Waiau Presbyterian Ladies' Guild was held when Mrs J. Casserley presided. A motion of sympathy was passed with Mrs F. McKie in her recent bereavement. , . , , Three more members Joined the birthday league.

PBEBBLETON TENNIS CLUB

OFFICERS ELECTED FOR YEAR

The annual meeting of the Prebbleton Tennis Club was held with Mr G. Millhr presiding. Officers for the year were elected as follows:—Patron, Mr A. A. McLachlan: president, Mr J. Hill; vice-presi-dentsT Mrs A. Smith, Messrs W. T. Bell, E. McCarthy, W. Downey G. Sutherland, J. Easterbrook, W. H. Marshall, sen-, and W. Kolkman; club captain, Mr G. Millar; secretary and treasurer, Mrs G. Millar; committee, Mrs C. Hampton. Misses M. Smith and R. Tod, Messrs A. Johnson, R. Prebble, R. Smith and D. Barr, It was decided to enter one team in the C grade of the inter-club competitions, .

PIONEERING DATS DESCRIBED

ADDRESS TO RANGIORA WOMEN

description of the pioneering days in Canterbury was given by the Rev. F. G. Brittan, of Christchurch, to a meeting of the St. John’s Anglican Mothers’ Union, Rangiora, yesterday aifternoon. Visitors were present from the Woodend and Sefton unions, the Rangiora Salvation Army, and the Rangiora Presbyterian and Methodist Women’s Guilds.

Before the meeting a service was conducted in. St. John’s Anglican Church by Deaconess M. Birchail. A buttonhole was presented to Mr Brittan by Mrs M. A. Jordan. Mrs A. C. Purchas presided at the meeting. Presbyterian Men’s Club

A Presbyterian Men’s Club has been formed at Rangiora as a result of a meeting of members of John Knox Church on Tuesday evening. It was decided to conduct a handiwork stall at the annual church bazaar, and to meet monthly for discussions. Cricket Draw Following is the draw for senior and junior A grade matches in the North Canterbury Cricket Sub-Association’s competitions on Saturday and Saturday week: — . Senior —Kaiapoi v. Rangiora, at Kaxapoi; Loburn v. Woodend, at Loburn. Junior A—Carleton v. Fernside, at Carleton; Eyreton v. Oxford, at Eyreton; Rangiora High School v. Sefton, at the High School. The draw for junior B matches on Saturday is:—Fernside v. Loburn, at Fernside; Horrelville v. Kaiapoi, at Horrelville; Woodend v. Swannanoa, at Woodend; Rangiora a bye. Presbyterian Girls’ Auxiliary A gift evening in aid of the church garden party on December 5 was held by the John Knox Presbyterian Girls Auxiliary, Rangiora, on Tuesday. Competitions were won by Misses N. Hughey, N. Bischell, and J. Pethig. It was decided to invite St. John’s Anglican Girls’ ulub to a “back-to-front” evening on November 3. Regent Theatre

Taking its settings and its mood as well as its title from the internation-ally-famous Parisian musical entertainment, “Follies Bergere de Paris” will be presented this evening at the Regent Theatre, Rangiora. Maurice Chevalier and Merle Oberon are the stars in this lavish production, waich presents Paris in all its gaiety. Seats may be reserved at Watson’s, telephone 202.

WAIHORA TENNIS CLUB

TWO TEAMS TO BE ENTERED IN COMPETITION

The twelfth annual meeting of the Waihora Tennis Club was held with Mr J. Rennie presiding. The balance-sheet showed a small profit on the year’s work.

Officers were elected as follows; — Patron, Sir R. Heaton Rhodes; president, Mr R. J. Templeton: vice-presi-dents, Messrs J. Rennie and J. H. MacKenzie; club captain, Mr I. C. Gray; secretary and treasurer, Mr W. C. Miller; honorary auditor. Mr G. O. Templeton; delegates to the Ellesmere Association, Messrs I. C. Gray and W. C. Miller; management committee, Mrs R. J. Templeton, Misses H. Morten, E. Thompson, Messrs A. Miller, M. MacKenzie, F. Radford, and T. Streeter; selection committee, Messrs G. Nutt, A. Miller and Mrs Templeton . It was decided to enter two teams in the A grade competition and to recommend the association to play matches every Saturday. Season Backward

Because of the heavv spring rams, crops will be late. It is only during the last few days that teams have been brought into work again A good warm spell would do a tremendous amount of good to both grass lands and autumn sown crops

Lake Level Rises

Since the draining of Lake Ellesmere about two months ago, much rain has fallen, bringing about a considerable rise in the level of the lake, though it is not high enough to make a successful'opening. It now appears that the Drainage Board will have to make an opening at a fairly early date.

years. A motion of sympathy was passed with relatives. Mr F. Wilson wrote asking that the railway pit be made a sanctuary for birds. It was resolved that application be made to have this done, and that the Railway Department be advised. , ' ■ . . Mr J. Carson applied for a street lamp on the corner of Bath street and Axnuri road. It was resolved that Mr Carson be notified that his request will be considered with other proposals of the ratepayers of the Hanmer township. It was resolved that the council approach the Health Department saying that it considers the lighting charge for Hanmer street lights unreasonable, and asking to be relieved of the payments. „ , The Commissioner of Transport forwarded draft regulations about the control of traffic. It was decided to reply that the council supported the Minister in his efforts to reduce traffic accidents. The council decided to ask the Automobile Association, Canterbury, to place cats-eyes signs on the dangerous turn at Mason river crossing and oneway bridge notices at the ferry and Pahau bridge approaches.

LEESTON SCHOOL COMMITTEE

The monthly meeting of the Leeston School Committee was held, with Mr D. J. Ridden presiding. It was reported that the dental nurse had resumed work at the Leeston clinic. It was decided to procure some furnishings for the clinic, and to invite other school committees and the district friendly societies to a meeting at Leeston to consider holding a combined excursion. The Education Board advised the committee that it could not at present undertake the fencing of the school playing area, the cost being ( estimated at £SO.