PORT CHALMERS NEWS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21365, 19 June 1931, Page 3

PORT CHALMERS NEWS

SALE OF STEAMER KAMONA There is considerable activity on board tbe cargo steamer Kamona at Port Chalmers, engineers and other tradesmen being engaged in preparing tbe vessel for her voyage to the Far East. Negotiations for the sale of the Kamona by the Union Steam Ship Company to Messrs Williamson and Company, of Hongkong, are now being completed. The principal of tbe Eastern firm (Mr S. T. Williamson) arrived at Port Chalmers on Wednesday from the East, by way of Sydney and Wellington, to supervise the refitting of the Kamona and the Kaituna. The latter vessel is a unit of the Union Company’s fleet of cargo carriers, and has also been purchased by the Williamson firm. The Kaituna has been laid up in Auckland Harbour for some time past, and she is now being prepared for sea. Mr Williamson will leave Dunedin early next week for Auckland to complete arrangements for the vessel’s departure. Mr Williamson, who resided in Wellington for many years, has been engaged in the Far East shipping business for the past 10 years. His firm owns eight cargo steamers. These include the former Union Company steamers Kaitangata, Kaiapoi, Kamo, Koromiko, Karori, Kittawa and Whangape. The Kamona and Kaituna will be employed in the Far Eastern trade, running between Hongkong, Borneo, Philippine Islands and the Straits Settlements. It is expected that the Kamona will leave Port Chalmers within the week for the East, by way of Auckland. The Kaitune will be ready to IcaVo Auckland about the same time.

Mr Williamson brought several officers, engineers, and about 24 Chinese to New Zealand to man the two ships. The Chinese have been distributed between the Kamona and Kaituna. Captain R. C. Creer has been appointed to the command of the Kamona. Ho is a retired commander of the Royal Australian Navy. , « The chief officer of the Kamona is Mr W. W. Molyneux, who was in the service of the Union Company for many years. The chief engineer is Mr K. Patterson, who was formerly in the service of the Burns Philp Company, Ho served in several of tbe company’s steamers trading between Sydney and Eastern and island ports. Steam was raised in the Kamona’s boilers yesterday morning, and the main and auxiliary machinery is receiving an extensive overhaul. Already the ship presents a different appearance in one respect, as her funnel has been changed in colour from the familiar red and black of the Union Company to all jet black. DISTINGUISHED NAVAL OFFICER

Captain R. G. Creer, who has boon appointed master of the cargo steamer Kainona, has had a distinguished naval career. Ho served with the Royal Australian Navy for 16 years, and visited Dunedin when serving as an officer in H.M.A.S. Encounter in 1010. After leaving the navy. Captain Creer served for a time with the Sydney pilot service, and during recent years was a relieving officer in the steamers Changte and Taiping. running between Far Eastern ports and Australia, While serving with the Australian Navy, Captain Creer had command of the training ship Tingira for two years and a-half. He was also officer in command of the destroyer Anzac (flotilla leader) for a commission, and served in the battleship Australia, the famous cruiser Sydney, and a number of other warships. Captain Creer served with the Royal Naval Brigade in China during the Boxer War in 1000-01, landing at Ta!«u Forts and Tientsin with Sir Edward Seymour, who had as his flag captain Admiral Jellicoe. Earl Beatty was then commander of H.M.S. Barflonr, and Admiral Sir Roger Keyes was lieutenant R.N. on the stuff of General Sir Alfred Gnselcc, who was commander of the Imperial Expedi tionary Force. Captain Creer also served ns captain of the Australian Light Horse in the South African War, 1901-02. He also served as navigator in H.M.S. Pioneer in German East Africa during the Great War. and was present at the action with the German cruiser Konigsberg at Rufigi River, the bombardment of Dar-cs-Snlanm and Tanga. He landed with the naval forces and took part in the action at Bngamoyo, when Captain Thomas, R.M.L.T., from H.M.S. Vengeance, was killed. Captain Creer then took command of the Royal Marines and was mentioned in despatches. Captain Croi-r also served in the Mediterranean and In the North Sea with the 2nd Light Cruiser Squadron. Captain Creer comes from a noted seafaring family. His twin brother was a commander in the Australian Navy, and is now in charge of'a large yacht owned by a well-known Englishman.

HOLY TRINITY CHURCH . > The nnmial meeting of parishioners of the parochial district of Holy Trinity Anglican Church (Port Chalmers) was held this week in the Sunday School Hall, The vicar (the Rev. W. H. Roberts) presided over a large attendance, Tiie treasurer (Mr D. M'Cowatt) presented the annual statement of; accounts, which showed considerable improvement on the position last year. This was chiefly duo to a number of generous donations, totalling approximately £7O, subscribed in a special effort to remove the bank overdraft. The mission quota had been fully met, and all liabilities to date had been paid. The statement of accounts was adopted with hearty thanks to the treasurer for his reliable and willing services. The vicar reviewed the work of the year. He said that the period covered was 14 months, in consequence of the diocesan synod having changed the ending of the" financial year from March 31 to May 31 in order to avoid the Easter holidays. The annual meetings of parishioners would henceforth be held in June. He extended sympathetic condolence to a number of families who had recently suffered bereavement. The new Sunday school hall at Sawyers’ Bay had been completed, and the opening took place on February 14. It was the realisation of the patient hopes and efforts of many years. Mrs Brown, with her company of willing helpers,-had by means of a successful entertainment, provided the nucleus of a fund for repairs to the Sunday School Hall at Port Chalmers. The sum of £l7 had been deposited in the Post Office Savings Bank for that purpose. Valued assistance had been given to the vicar by Mr F. Hudson and Mr D. Forsyth, lay readers. It was particularly pleasing to know that their sendees were so acceptable to the congregation. Regular services had been commenced at St. Leonard’s at the request of Anglican residents there, and the response was most encouraging. A girls Bible class had been formed at Sawyers’ Bav, with Miss Molly Aberncthy as leader. The class was making good progress. Mrs Throp gave invaluable assistance at its week-night social gatherings. He expressed grateful thanks for the work of the indefatigable Ladies’ Guild. The guild had contributed £l2O to the parochial funds as a result of its varied efforts. The Mother’s Union was carrying out good work with enthusiasm, and the membership was growing. The Sunday school teachers at both Port Chalmers and Sawyers’ Bay deserved the thanks of the parishioners, the choir, organist, Altar Guild, and the Anglican Girls’ Club, while the sustentation collectors deserved appreciative mention. There had been 20 baptisms, three marriages, 12 burials and 23 candidates presented to the bishop for confirmation.

Mr D. Forsyth, on behalf of the parishioners, said that he considered they were most fortunate in their vicar and Mrs Roberts. In the pulpit the vicar was most able, and in the parish he spared himself no effort, whilst his wife was always to the fore in the Ladies Guild and other parochial activities. The church officers for the ensuing year were elected as follow: —Churchwardens—Messrs D. Forsyth and D. M'Cowatt. Vestry—Mesdames Braitliwaite and Brown; Messrs E. Laley, F. Hudson, R. A. Ward, R. Leftwich, G. Brownlee, J. West, H. Reeves, A. Verral, T. Wilson and Captain J. Page. Mr P. Braithwaite was appointed auditor. Votes of thanks were passed to the various organisations referred to in the vicar’s address, and it was resolved that letters of sympathy be sent to Airs Middleditch and Air and Mrs C. A. Reeves in their recent bereavements. It was also decided that a letter be sent to the Rev. H. .Sbolto Bishop, a former vicar, conveying affectionate regard and the hope for his restoration to health. At the close of the meeting a social hour was happily spent. Vocal and instrumental items were given by Miss Dora Drake, Air Harry Drake, Air Les. Jack, Airs Forsyth (violin), and Air D. Forsyth. The items were greatly appreciated. Supper was then served by the ladies of the congregation, and a must successful gathering was brought to a close.

OLD IDENTITIES’ ASSOCIATION The quarterly meeting of the Port Chalmers Old Identities’ Association was held last evening in the Town Hall. There was a large attendance, and Air J. Farquharson presided. A feature of the gathering was the excellent entertainment provided by members of the West Harbour Druids’ Lodge. Every item was greatly enjoyed by all present. The chairman made feeling reference to the loss that had been suffered by the association during the last two years. He referred to the deaths of Air J. Middleditch and Air J. AI. Harland, both of whom wore valued members. Their death was deplored by the residents of Port Chalmers and their places would be hard to fill. Mr Harland had been appointed to the position of secretary after the tragic death of Air E. Knewstubb, and be bad carried out the duties of the office in a very capable manner. As a mark of respect to the memory of the deceased members, the chairman asked those present to stand in silence for a few moments.

The chairman apologised for the absence of the president (Mr A. Johnson) who was laid aside owing to illness. Although he was unable to be present that night, Mr Johnson was with them in spirit. As chairman of the meeting Mr Farquharson said lie felt a certain pride and satisfaction in knowing that the association was living up to the ideals of the early pioneers. In these days of fast motor and other transportation, it was hard to realise the terrible hardships which the early pioneers had faced, when there were no roads or transport facilities. One had only to try and visualise the conditions which the early settlers faced to realise their pluck and endurance and their determination to carve out homes in a land that was not settled. The early pioneers had blazed a trail for those who came after them, and their memory should never bo allowed to fade. He would always do his best to see that the great ideals and self-sacrifice of those early pioneers were commemorated for all time. They had a grand old rugged faith in the ideals planted by the early settlers, and it was hoped that those ideals would never lie allowed to die. It was pleasing to state that two valuable articles had recently been presented to the association. One was a splendid picture of Port Chalmers in the early days, which had been handed over by Mr J. Knewstubb in memory of his father (Air E. Knewstubb) who hud been a valued member of the association. The other gift was a silver cup, presented by Mr W. J. Waters, through Mr 'J. M’Lacblan, in memory of his father. The cup bore the date March 23, 1878. It was the first cup presented for rowing in Otago Harbour. The two gifts would be kept and treasured as long ns the association was in existence. The programme submitted by the members of the Druids’ Lodge was ns follows:—Banjo quartet —Bros D. and J. Key, M’Ewnn, and Smith; song and chorus, Bro. Nash and Druids; dance, Miss Elvra Connor; song, Miss Rhoda Connor; dialogue, Messrs J. Gjlkinson and W. Connor; part song. “Yc Banks and Braes," Druids Lodge: banjo quartet. Bros D. and J. Key, M’Ewan, and Smith; song, Mr I. G. Butler: recitation, Bro. Nash; duet, Bros W. and J. Connor; dialogue, Ravensbonrno girls; song, Bro. Dyson: flute solo, 8r0.,1. Connor; quartet (vocal) —Mrs J. and Miss S. Connor and Messrs W. and J. Connor; song, Miss Rhoda Connor; banjo quartet—Bros D. and J. Key, M’Ewan, and Smith; local hits, Druids. The accompaniments were played by Mrs J. Connor. Before singing the part song, “Ye Banks and Braes," by 12 male members of the Druids’ Lodge, Mr G. Thompson said that the late secretary of the OH Identities’ Association (Mr J. M. Flarland) had made a special request that the song be included in the programme. The request had been made by Mr Flurland before his death, and the members of the lodge were very pleased to accede to the wishes of a late brother, A hearty vote of thanks was accorded the Druids’ Lodge for providing such an entertaining programme, PORT CHALMERS GOLF CLUB The following is the draw for a mixed foursome handicap, to be played to-mor-row afternoonG. R. Thompson and Miss Robinson v. D. Forsyth and M. Morgan, L. G. Ellis and Mrs Crawford v. A. Wilkin and Miss Parry. K. G. Roy and Mrs Edgar v. P. H. Hudson and Mrs M’Donald, .1. H. Crawford and Miss Dodds v. C. M’Donald and Miss Slmmonds. D. Campbell and Miss Innas v. Dr Roy and Mrs Fletcher, C. Braithwaite and Miss B. Jackson v. A Hunter and Miss F. Clark, C. Blackman and Miss M. Jackson v. L. Jack and Miss R, Osborn.