TAPANUI NOTES

Southland Times, Issue 21835, 12 October 1932, Page 11

TAPANUI NOTES

BIBLE CLASS SOCIAL. , (From Our Correspondent.) The annual social of the Tapanui Presbyterian Bible Class was held on Friday evening in the Sunday School Hall. Games and competitions, interspersed with instrumental items, songs, and recitations occupied the evening, and were enjoyed by the large number present, which included several from the 'Koi Bible Class. Mr A. Wright, social evonvener, made the necessary arrangements, and a very successful social resulted. The Presbyterian churches at Tapanui and ’Koi were specially decorated with snring flowers for the “Soring Service” on Sunday. The Rev. W. H. Norton preached an appropriate sermon based on “Song of Solomon 2’’ 10, 11, 12 verses) and suitable hymns were sung. This was also Ef" Sunday, and a large number of eggs were given for the orphanages from both ’Koi and Tapanui. At the last meeting of the Tapanui Borough Council a letter was received from the solicitors of the late Mrs Whyte, advising the authorities in charge of the Tapanui cemetery that by the will of Mrs Whyte £lOO had been left to be invested, and the incomes used to keep in order all plots in the Tapanui Cemetery owned by Mrs Whyte or by the families of the late Alexander Whyte, and Francis Wallace Mackenzie.

The fifth birthday party of the Crookston Women’s Division was held i: the Crookston Hall on Tuesday evening. Members of the Evans Flat, Moa Flat, and Tapanui W.D. were present, end Kelso W.D. sent an apology for absence, and congratulations on the fifth birthday. Members of the Heriot Women’s Institute also attended, and there was a large attendance of local

friends. A euchre tournament was held till supper time, prizes being won by Mrs J. A. McDonald, and Mr Jarrold. A beautiful birthday cake, presented by Mrs Revie, on which Mrs Leary lighted the five candles, was cut by Mrs King. Mr A. C. Leary gave a short address on the work of the Women’s Division, and the Fanners’ Union. Dancing to music supplied by Mrs Evans (piano) and Mr V. Dackers (saxophone) was then enjoyed. Mr V. Fleming acting as M.C. A concert was given by the Kcriot Women’s Institute on Friday night. The first item was the Institute song, Master W. Perriam recited “The Heriot / ’ohabet” (with local applications), song, Mrs C. Smaill (Moa Flat), duet, “Hunting Tower,” Miss V. Black, and Mr J. F. McLay, a dance by small girls, violin solo, Mr A. R. Howie (Park Hill), a playette, “Mrs Maloney visits the Doctor,” by Mrs G. Sim and Miss L. Moncur, “When the Moon Comes over the Mountains” (girls of the ballet and Messrs Paterson and F. Herbert, soloists), negro song, Mrs A. R. Howie (Park Hill), recitation, Miss Gwen Sim, piano solo, Miss V. Sinclair, a playette, “Aunt Lizzie’s Friend,” by the Institute members, an old English dance by Miss Iris Brownlie, and Miss G. Sim, recitation Master Brady, songs by Mr and Mrs A. R. Howie, with violin obbligato, a quartet by Miss V. Black, Mrs Foster, Messrs Foster and W. Walker, a ballet, “He played his ukelele as the ship went down,” was sung by the gentlemen of the ballet, followed by the girls dancing the hornpipe. The training of the ballets was done by Mrs Perriam, and accompanistes were Mesdames Howie and Foster, and Misses M. Walker, V. Sinclair, and G. Sim. Mr Foster was in charge of the radio 1.Y.E.L.L., and the local hits caused much amusement. An enjoyable dance followed the concert.

Local streams were in fair order for the opening of the fishing season on Saturday. The Pomahaka was in good order, and some good catches were made there. The Waipahi is too low and clear at present for good fishing. Mr W. W. Mackie secured 20 nice fish, the largest being 2:11b, Master F. Kennedy 22, Messrs W. Graham 18, K. Rodger 14 were the next most successful local anglers. A unique event, a diamond wedding, was celebrated at Waikoikoi on Friday, the fortunate couple being Mr and Mrs John Spittle, now of Gore, but formerly of Waikoikoi. The celebrations were held at the home of Mrs Simmers, ’Koi, when there was a large gathering of relatives and friends. The members of the family present were: Annie (Mrs Simmers, ’Koi) William (’Koi), Elizabeth (Mrs Snark, Kakapuaka), Florence (Mrs Macaulay, Conical Hills), Nellie (’Koi), Thomas and Fred (Gore). Most of the grandchildren, who number 41, and some of the 12 great grand c’lldren were also present. Rev. W. H. Norton held a short service, after which the breakfast was proceeded with, a beautiful wedding cake being cut. Many telegrams of congratulation were received, and some beautiful and valuable gifts. The first toast, “The King,” was followed by that proposed by Rev. W. H. Norton, “The Happy Couple.” In his response Mr Spittle said that sixty years ago that day he was married to Miss Hawthorne at Staines, in Middlesex, England. Three days after he and his wife sailed for New Zealand, and after a stormy voyage, landed at Bluff, and wfint on to Invercargill. They afterwards settled in Tapanui where Mr Spittle conducted a carrying business, while his wife kept a shop. A farm was bought at Waikoikoi, and there the greater part of their married life was spent, until their retirement to their present home in Huron street, East Gore. Mr Spittle caused much amusement at the conclusion of his speech, by informing the assembly that the coat and vest he was wearing were the same in which he had been married 60 years ago, accommodated to his present figure by his wife. Other toasts were “The Spittle Family,” proposed by Mr W. Spark, responded to by Mr W. J. Spittle; “The Grand-children,” Mr C. Chittock, reply by Mr George Simmers; “The Great Grand-children,” Mr F. Townsend, reply by little Miss Betty Wicken, “Absent Friends,” Mr Wallace Simmers; “Chairman,” Mr W. J. Spittle. /