WYNDHAM

Southland Times, Issue 24109, 24 April 1940, Page 15

WYNDHAM

LOCAL CENTENNIAL CELEBRATIONS The Wyndham centennial celebrations were held on the cricket ground, where people from the town and district assembled in large numbers. A highly successful gala day was held. The proceedings opened at 12.30 p.m., when Mr Lance Harper, chairman of the centennial committee, briefly welcomed those present, and paid a tribute to the enthusiasm of the committee, whose efforts had' made the day possible. The programme would begin with tree planting by some of the older residents, following which there would be a grand parade, sports and an address by the Rev. Dr I. W. Fraser. Apologies were received from Mr T. L. Macdonald, M.P., and Crs H. Hunter and A. A. Wilson, of the Town Board. The letter from Mr Macdonald stated that he regretted he could not attend, but he had already accepted an invitation to attend the South Island celebrations at Akaroa. Many gatherings were being held throughout New Zealand just now to mark the completion of the first 100 years as a British settlement and they were of great importance because they created a deeper appreciation of the splendid work of their forefathers.

Trees were then planted by Messrs W. A. Leitch, W. J. Marsh, A. W. Leitch, and Mrs C. Irwin. Following this the procession was formed up in groups from the various schools in the district, each bearing a banner showing the year it was established. The parade was led by the Wyndham Pipe Band, and, headed by Messrs A. C. Bulling and Harper, paraded in the following order:—Mimihau (1869), Wyndham (1875), South Wyndham (1878), Tuturau (1878), Redan (1884), Mokoreta (1887), Mataura Island (1890), Seaward Downs (1891), Glenham (1898), Menzies Ferry (1906).

The Rev. Dr Fraser said the reason for the celebration was the hundredth anniversary of the colonization of their country in the organized way, which began with the Treaty of Waitangi. It was an occasion when they could rejoice in having reached 100 years of life and happiness. They had only to think of the difficulties of travel 50 or 100 years ago, when there were no roads or cars. Today they had comfortable homes, land that was broken into prolific farms, and shops that supplied them with food. In the early days the settlers had to depend on what they could catch from the bush or sea for their rations. In the days of the pioneers schools were not easy to reach, while today they were within the reach of all. Today they were apt to forget these things. The children were presented with a centennial badge, and Mr Harper thanked the. committee for the manner in which it had carried out its duties. He referred specially to the work of the secretary, Mr E. S. Macfarlane. The following were the sports results:—

Girls, 5 to 6.—Hazel Heaps 1, Joan Matheson 2, Margaret Williamson 3. Boys, 5 to 6.—Eric Shaw 1, L. Townsend 2, E. Symons 3. Girls, 7 to B.— E. Johnstone 1, J. Townsend 2. M. McCaughan 3. Boys, 7to B.—L. Horne 1, N. Gibson 2, R. Milne 3. Boys, 11 to 12.—J. Hopkins 1, G. Pedler 2, S. Milne 3. Boys, 9to 10—E. Crighton 1, G. Pedler 2, A. McFadyen 3. Girls, 13 to 14.—1. McPhedran 1, J. Melvin 2, P. Todd 3. Boys, 13 to 14.—H. Gabites 1, C. Milne 2, I. Cormack 3. Potato race.— M. Hunter 1, D. McKenzie 2, K. Greenlees 3. Married men—J. Fraser 1, P. C. Humphries 2, D. Shaw 3. Married women—Mrs T. Cook 1, Mrs Matheson 2, Mrs McCaughan 3. Single women.— Miss C. McGillivray 1, Miss D. Matheson 2, Miss E. Sinclair 3. Wheelbarrow race.—J. Heath and W. Thomson 1, D. Henderson and B. Winter 2. Cigarette race.—D. Henderson and Miss Henderson 1, H. Thompson and Miss S. Strang 2. Decorated vehicle.—Margaret Simpson 1, Beverly Milne 2. At intervals games of hockey, football and basketball were played in costume and kept the crowd much amused. A basketball tournament was held, Seaward Downs beating Menzies Ferry in the final. The Wyndham football team drew with an “Old Buffers’ ” team, 6all, the Wyndham basketball team defeated a team from the Ladies’ Golf Club by 12 goals to 7, and the Wyndham women’s hockey team was defeated by a team from the Wyndham Football Club by 6 goals to 5. The collection at the gate amounted to more than £l7. GOLF DRAW The golf draw for the April and L.G.U. medal matches is:—Wednesday.—Mesdames Horne and Dunbar; Mesdames Smith and Scott! Mrs Wilson and Miss M. Campbell; Mesdames Crawford and Barnett; Mrs Bulling and Miss A. McLaren; Mrs Stirling and Miss B. McLaren; Misses I. Sinclair and N. Rice; Mesdames Pauli and Shepperd; Mrs Fraser and Miss Maguire. Saturday.—Misses McLauchlan and M. Stevenson; Misses Simpson and I. Milne; Misses S. Campbell and M. McKay; Miss C. Stevenson a bye.

FARMERS’ UNION BRANCH

At a meeting of the Wyndham branch of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union Mr E. Rabbidge presided over a small attendance of members.

The provincial secretary advised that consideration was being given to a suggestion to hold sales of crutchings at Invercargill, and appraisals would probably be held provided sufficient quantities were forwarded to the woolbrokers. It was decided to support the proposal. A circular from the provincial executive asked the secretaries of branches to forward statements showing cash subscriptions collected during the year. Some discussion ensued on the raising of the annual subscription to 30/-, and

it was pointed out that the rise had been the cause of a number withdrawing from the union. It was decided to nominate Mr T.

Dobbie for a seat on the Southland executive. The question of the voting power allowed delegates to the Southland provincial meetings was mentioned by the chairman, who considered the present allowance of one vote for each 100 members was too high, and it was decided to frame a remit for the provincial conference, asking that branches be allowed a delegate for each 60 members, or part thereof. ANZAC DAY ARRANGEMENTS At a meeting of the executive of the Wyndham branch of the Returned Soldiers’ Association arrangements were made for the Anzac service tomorrow. Mr A. Rae occupied the chair. Tire service will be held in the Town Hall at 11 a.m. and the address will be given by the Rev. Dr I. W. Fraser. Returned soldiers, together with the Pipe Band, will parade at the Oddfellows’ hall at 10.30 a.m. and march to the Town Hall, where members of the Red Cross Society, patriotic workers, Girl Guides, Brownies, Boy Scouts, school children and Town Board members are invited to join the parade. The co-operation of the teachers is asked for, and an invitation is to be extended to the members of Edendale branch to be present. At the end of the service the parade will march to the Fallen Soldiers’ Memorial, where wreaths of remembrance will be laid and “Last Post” sounded by Mr H. Heath.