SANDON’S JUBILEE

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIII, Issue 309, 27 November 1933, Page 2

SANDON’S JUBILEE

EXCELLENT PROCESSION HELD. RESIDENTS’ FINE EFFORT. Sandon’s diamond jubilee procession on Saturday afternoon was one well worthy of a large town, and showed with what enthusiasm and energy the residents of the district had entered into the Spirit of the carnival to make the celebrations an outstanding mark in the history, of the township and the surrounding country. Decorated lorries, floats and cars, not to mention multitudinous striking bicycles, horses and many school children, made a procession the length of the township that gave much pleasure and caused considerable surprise among the many visitors present. The day was gloriously fine and could not have been better, for while there was sunshine for the greater period of the afternoon it was not uncomfortably hot. Most striking in the whole of the proceedings was the large number of dresses of the days gone by. • They extended back over a long period of rears, and tight waists and huge skirts that mingled with dress coats, and extensive neck-wear, top-hats and beards were seen. Not only were the elder people so dressed. The majority of the old-fashioned dresses were worn by figures as slim and youthful as those for which they had been originally made, and the groups brought to mind fashions of other days for the elder people, and wonder for the younger folk. Some of the floats represented many days of painstaking work and showed originality in their design. Different clubs and organisations in the Sandon district were represented, and in addition many individuals had gone to a great deal of trouble to decorate cars or provide a novelty item for the procession. The whole was well marshalled by Mr A. K. Drew, and, commencing from the school, proceeded through the township to return to the school grounds where the entries were lined up along one side. . , With the Feilding Salvation Army Band at the head of the procession, there followed next in order a large number of children with decorated bicycles, tricycles, carts, perambulators, wheelbarrows, and baby treadle motor cars, all the children being m fancy dress. The children of the Sandon School followed, and aftei them came the children of the Oliakea and Waitolii schools, the two lattei schools being developments from- the Sandon School as the district progressed. Mr G. Francis, the school teacher at Sandon, was in charge of the children. “Pioneer Joe,” a horse more than 30 years old, which was born in the Sandon district and has spent all its life there, was very well turned out. It is one of the well known “identities” of the township, as it was termed on an explanatory placard it carried. Causing a good deal of merriment and having about it more a touch of history was a reconstruction of the old “Fox,” an engine used on the Government railways in the very, early days, being one of the first engines on the Sandon tramway. It was mounted on a motor chassis and quite a lot of the fittings were from the original engine itself. _ With the wheels joined by connecting rods, it created a good deal of amusement as it slowly worked its way along behind a County Council grader. The exhibit was made by Mr T. Murphy, a member of the County Council stall. The Sandon Old Boys’ Association was represented by a decorated lorry with a number 'of members on it, each dressed in the style of a past decade and carrying a standard showing in what periods the types of dress had been worn. “Congratulations from Bulls” was blazoned across the front of another lorry, which was .well decorated with greenery and carried a number of children in fancy costume. Associations with the old days were represented by a buggy entered by all T. Rowe, of 'Rongotea. The vehicle was presented by Governor Sir George Grey to a much respected Maori chief who lived at Parewanui and was known as Governor Hunia, the event taking place well over halt a century ago. To have modern dress in such a vehicle would have spoiled the effect, but oidfashionued garb lent a kindly note to the pride of a former day. “Kia Ora to Sandon” was seen on a lorry entered by the Maoris from Parewanui and Bulls, the decorations lieing in the hands of Mrs Mnrumaru. A number of Maori girls and youths on the lorry were appropriately garbed in feather mats and pin pins, wearing also the distinctive green Maori head-dress. The Sandon Miniature Rifle Club had arranged a float in the shape of a boat, with evidences of the club about it in the form of targets and the arms displayed by. its occupants. “The Bride and Bridegroom'’ were represented in a decorated car, being two charming children dressed for the part. Messrs Nicol Brothers were responsible for the entry. A motor boat had been constructed about a car by Mr L. Sadler and with sailor costume at the wheel it made a distinctive entry. Mr Alvin Matthews drove an old buggy which dated back over 40 years. The driver was accompanied by others dressed in costumes that belonged to an early part of the present ccnturj'. With the cab of the lorry covered by a tiny house with the gable running across the chassis and labelled “Karitane House,” the Sandon branch of the Plunket Society had entered a float that commanded attention. On the rear of the lorry, the whole being tastefully decorated, were a number of children who had in their baby days been among the great band of Plunket babies. The lorry was followed by a charmingly decorated car with an outsize in dolls in the dickey seat-r-being “Our Baby”—entered" by the president of the Plunket Society branch, Mrs J. H. Perrett. “The 'Sandon Free Ambulance” followed, this being a lorry which had seen l>etter days and fitted with a makeshift ambulance body and carrying a stretcher and attendants. The Sandon Basketball Club was represented by a float decorated in blue and white, these being the colours of the club. At the rear of the lorry were a number of club members, some dressed in fancy costume, some in dresses representing a period unknown to the youth of to-day.

THE WINNING ENTRY. Considerable thought and a great deal of work had been expended in tile construction of a float entered by the Sandon Women’s Institute. The whole was fitted as a house and across the top was the Women’s Institute motto “For Home and Country.” Inside the house were all the conveniences of a kitchen, with members of the institute busy, about household duties. From the construction of the house to the provision of the lawn in a “backyard,” the float had been carried out exceptionally well and it later deservedly took the first prize. While a stout “policeman” called for traffic clearance from the running board, a car chassis bounded along the road to the accompaniment of laughter from the onlookers and not a little contribution from its own costumed occupants. A small coffee stall trundled along behind a small car, whose driver wore a red tunic, and Mr H. J. Fagan had entered a decorated car. One of the best

novelty items in the procession was that of two yoked calves drawing a small decorated cart. . The calves were very young and were exceedingly quiet. Cameras were much in evidence as the procession drew up about the school grounds and a number of photographs were taken of those who hud attended the school during different periods. The entries in the procession were judged by Mesdames H. Palmer and D. Evans. The results were : Decorated perambulator. —Shirley Bond. Mrs W. J. Crouclier’s special: Nancy McConachie. Mrs D. Evans s special: Mildred Currie. Decorated wheelbarrow, Mrs Palmer’s special: Zeta Cook. Decorated bicycle: Eileen Behrent. Mrs W. J. Crouclier’s special: Ronald Scandlyn. Judges special: Douglas McConachie. Decorated vehicle —Sandon Women’s Institute. Novelty vehicle: Mr Alvin Matthews’s buggy, “Old Identities., Highly commended: Mr L. Sadlers motor boat.

During the afternoon a sports programme was held mainly for tlie children, and considerable interest was taken in an impromptu basketball match and in a burlesque football match. While afternoon tea was being served a burlesque court added further to the amusement of the spectators.

The results of the races were:Men’s race: Mr A. H. Reid 1, Mr J. Anderson 2, Mr G. Harris 3. “Girls, over 50: Mrs H. J. Fagan 1, Mrs J. Bowater 2. Boys, under 0: Ray. Thompson 1 Russell Neilson 2. Girls, under 6- Pamela Butler 1, Shirley Sadler 2. Sandon boys, under 12: Nelson Butler 1 H McCabe 2. Girls, under 12: Margarget Coulter 1. Pearl Myers 2. Boys, under 8: Alec Bailey 1, Lyall George 2. Girls under 8: Patricia Cummins 1, Norma Sadler 2. Sandon boys, 10 and 11: Grayson Bond 1, Jim Kilpatrick 2. Sandon girls, 10 and 11 '• Verita Butler 1, Sheila Grace Graoe 2. Boys, 9to 11: Lindsay Tostevin 1, Peter Myers 2. Girls, 9 to 11: Beryl Gibbons 1, Beth Penny 2. Sandon girls, Bto 9: Marie 1 ostevin 1 Faith Butler 2. Boys, 12 and over: Nelson Butler 1, Eric Livingstone 2, Herbert McCabe 3. Girls 12 and over: Molly Butler 1, Peail Myers 2, Dulcie Green 3. Three-legged race: Doris Pearce and Mavis Telford 1, Joyce Davey and Molly Butiei 2, Marjorie Dear and Ngaire Dear o. Boys and girls, all ages: Dick Corbett 1, Nelson Butler 2. OLD PHOTOGRAPHS COLLECTED.

lii the school was a collection of old photographs of groups and individuals which must have brought back memories of former days to many who had lived in the district. 1 lie photographs were collected by the Sandon Uld Bays’ Association, and had been loaned by people living over a wide area, while many of tnem had been forwarded for the jubilee by residents of other districts, even as far away as Taranaki. The collection, wlncli numbered about 100, represented the life of Sandon from the early days when the first settlers had taken up their sections. Many had lived their lives and passed away leaving names that were long remembered for their worth in the pioneering period; others, again, became known tar beyond the confines of the Sandon district and took their place in affairs that were of more than district importance. In the school also was evidence of those who had answered thencountry’s call —some 19 of whom have their place in the middle of the bandon school soldiers’ memorial tablet as not returning from lands where the Great War was fought. In the school also is a board erected by the Old Boys’ Association giving the names of the former masters of the school, men who had played their part in the moulding of young characters and minds which were to take their place in the district in later years. The afternoon seemed a time ot meeting for the past and the present, when those of to-day looked back on vesterday. but, judging from the manner in which there was whole-hearted co-operation, Sandon does not dwell in the past and has reached its jubilee of 60 honourable years only to look forward to sunny prosperity. SUCCESSFUL CONCERT.

{From Our Own Correspondent.) SANDON, Nov. 27. A large patronage greeted the party from Palmerston North at the Public Hah on Saturday night, a number being unable to get inside. The programme was an excellent one and each item was encored Miss Naomi Whallcy and Miss Doreen Saunders were received with enthusiasm and each responded four tunes in the second half. TT At the end of the programme, Mr itPerrett, •on behalf of the executive, expressed thanks for the very excellent performance. The visitors were cntrtaind at supper before returning to Palmciston North. , The following was the programme rendered Piano solo, “Riggoletto, Miss Zeta Lcainy; vocal solo, ihe Ballad Monger,” Miss MeGibbon; vocal solo, lhe Lute Player,” Mr T. E. Douds; elocutionary item, “The Telegram, Miss Doieon Saunders; vocal solo, “the Birthday, MLs G. Laurenson ; violin solo, memdie,” Miss B. Howley; vocal solo, lhe Pipes of Pan,” Miss gaonn Whallcy; vocal duet, “Sweet and Low,” Misses Laurenson and Clarke; piano solo, “Etude, Miss Garratt; violin solo, Mr L Findlay; vocal solo “The Kerry Dance, Miss Naomi Whallcy, and recalls, “Vespers, Comm Thro’ the Rye,” and “Loves Own Sweet Song”; elocution, Mrs Arris at the 1 ram Stop ” Miss Doreen Saunders. Voca solo, “My Dear Soul,” Miss Clarke; vocal solo, “The Bedouin’s Love Song, Mr 1. E. Douds The accompanist was Miss Dorothy Stevens, who played with sympathy and taSt< SERVICE OF REMEMBRANCE. The jubilee celebrations closed with a service of remembrance at the Recreation Ground on Sunday afternoon. Favoured with gloriously fine weather, a very large crowd was present. The Palmerston North Garrison Band was in attendance to lead the sincring, and the service was conducted by Rev R P. Kcall, Methodist minister from Brooklyn, Wellington, assisted by Rev. R. S. Johnson (Sandon) and Mr John Anderson (Wellington). Proceedings opened with the National Anthem followed by a hymn after which Mr Johnson led the company in prayer. A further hymn was sung after which came a Scripture reading from Psalm 77 by Mr Johnson, and from the Gospel of St. John by Mr J. Anderson (Wellington). A children’s hymn was sung after which Mr ICcall led with prayer. ... . Mr ICcall, then delivered an inspiring address based on the word, “Forgetfulness. While feeling the honour of the occasion he also felt the burden of preparing a fitting address. The subject of remembrance, however, suggested itself on such a worthy occasion. Forgetfulness was an almost unforgivable sin and one which so often ended in tragedy. To-day they were met to remember. The place of meeting, the recreation grounds, bad seen many memorable gatherings of the pionecis of this district 'and it was therefore most appropriate for this gathering to bo held there. The men and women who first settled here opened the land for cultivation and it was not long before the need was felt for cultivation of the mind and those whose education enabled them laid the foundations of the first school, so today they were able to celebrate the jubilee ofthe district and the school. Great men and women in various parts of the world, almost daily added lustre to education and to-day those present were gathered bccauso they believed that religion and education needed to go hand in hand as co-partners in life. Professor Huxley had said wo as British people owed all that was finest and best to the Bible. Probably these words meant more than the professor thought, for many great men and women wero keen students of the Bible. This reminded

us that religion and education had como hand in hand through the ages. It was the churches who first established schools and only of more recent years had State schools tonic into existence. The last thought that came was that their presence at the service indicated that they had the conviction that religion and education needed each other. Some kinds of education turned out clever people in the manner of living by robbing and cheating others. To-day wo needed enlightenment, of mind and also training for distinguishing between right and wrong and this way was found through true religion. “May we live by linking our lives together in the spirit and knowledge of Jesus Christ,” was the concluding thought of the preacher. At the close of the service, Mr Ivcall expressed his thanks for- being asked to attend the celebrations and to have the' privilege of taking the service, hwich he would long remember. ( Ho recalled his first association with Sandon. when his late father was apopinted to take charge and he himself being superintendent about 20 years later. Mr E. J. Bowfttcr, chairman of the executive, expressed thanks to Mr Kcall, Mr Johnson and Mr Anderson for their help and to Lieut. C. Pike and the band for their attendance.

The bandsmen played a programme of music and were entertained at afternoon tea at the hall. Lieut. Pike thanked the ladies for their hospitality and members conveyed their thanks with cheers. Mr Pike said it was proposed to pay a visit to Sandon in about a fortnight and give a concert in aid of the band funds. Mr Bowatcr, replying, said the band could be assured of a hearty welcome.