CENTENARY OF PAPANUI

Press, Volume LXXXVI, Issue 26078, 3 April 1950, Page 3

CENTENARY OF PAPANUI

CELEBRATIONS DURING WEEK-END

Centennial celebrations for the district of Papanui were commenced on Saturday morning, when the Christchurch Ladies’ Pipe Band headed a procession which included floats on which were depicted incidents in the progress of the district since the first settlers came 100 years ago. Eleven sports bodies with headquarters in the Papanui district were represented in the procession. Other bodies. included the Papanui Girls’ Marching Team, Returned Services’ Association, Boy Scouts, members of the M.U.1.0.Q.F. Lodge, and a Royal New Zealand Air Force recruiting unit.

Methods of transport in the early days were shown by women riding siae-saddle, and by traps and buggies carrying full loads. The progress of time was shown in the appearance of several model motor-cars and motorcycles, which contrasted with the many modern cars that followed the procession from Bligh’s road to the Papanui Domain. »

In the afternoon the carnival was officially declared open by Mr J. K. McAlpine, M.P., and a children’s fancy dress cycle parade was held from Sawyers’ Arms road to the domain.

A decorated bicycle competition was won by Mary Ellis, with Patricia Kingston second, and Ray Marsden third. A sports meeting was held at the Papanui Domain, when representatives of local bodies entered into the festival spirit, and created much amusement in what was described as the Local Bodies’ Wheelbarrow Derby. This was won by the Mayor of Riccarton (Mr H. S. S. Kyle) and Mr I. Chapman, secretary of the organising committee. Dr. L. C. Averill and Mr V. C. Lawn, nominated by the North Canterbury Hospital Board, were second. They finished ahead of the Christchurch City Council (Cr. G. D. Griffiths and Cr. R. G. Brown), and the Tramway Board (Mr J. Jones and Mr T. Newman), and the Waimairi County Council (Mr W. Laing and Mr F. Wafts).

Yesterday was set. aside for pupils of the primary and secondary schools, with a Punch and Judy show for the younger children.