WYNDHAM

Southland Times, Issue 24273, 2 November 1940, Page 3

WYNDHAM

SOCIAL EVENINGS FOR SOLDIERS MEN LEAVING DISTRICT . WITH FORCES An informal gathering of members of the Wyndham Farewell Committee was held in the secretary’s office to bid farewell to Mr Osborne McKay, who was leaving the next morning to join the Fleet Air Arm. Mr Lance Harper, chairman of the committee, in making the guest a presentation of a cheque and a tin of cigarettes, said they felt they could not let him depart without giving him the same presentation as had been made to other district men. Mr Harper wished Mr McKay the best of luck in his new career.

Messrs S. Rice, A. A. Wilson and D. N. A. Macpherson also spoke of the high esteem in which Mr McKay was held in the community, and expressed confidence in his upholding the good name of the town and community in which he and the other members of the McKay family had for so long been held in the highest regard. Mr McKay replied. Two soldiers on leave in the Glenham district, Lance-Corporal D. McPhedran and Private W. Dewe, were entertained at a complimentary social when the district hall was well filled. Corporal J. B. Macpherson, Wyndham, was also in attendance.

The time was passed mainly in dancing, for which Messrs W. Brown and G. McEwan supplied the music. Mr Affleck was master of ceremonies. At intervals songs were sung by Corporal Macpherson, Mr E. S. Macfarlane and Mrs A. Ferguson, and Coroporal Macpherson and Mr D. N. A. Macpherson sang a duet. The accompaniments were played by Mr E. S. Macfarlane and Corporal Macpherson. Mr C. F. Hunter, chairman of the Send-Off Committee, presided, and gave a warm welcome to the guests of the evening. Lance-Corporal McPhedran was well known to them all, he said, having been educated in the district and being a member of a highlyrespected family. Private Dewe had worked on numerous farms in the district and was now departing with the best wishes of all. Mr Hunter concluded by stating that he was sure the three men present would uphold the reputation of the district in the days that lay ahead of them. Mr A. Rae, president of the Wyndham Returned Soldiers’ Association, made the presentations to the guests of the evening, which consisted of a wristlet watch for Lance-Corporal McPhedran, a money belt for Private Dewe, and a small gift to Corporal Macpherson. His remarks were supported by Messrs A. Ferguson, J. Scott, J. Wright and A. C. Bulling. All three men replied. There was a big audience in the Town Hall on Thursday evening to honour Corporal J. B. Macpherson and Private T. O’Brien. Also present were Sergeant Swale, Lance-Corporal D. McPhedran, Privates H. Palmer and Thompson. Mr Lance Harper presided.

The following concert programme was presented:—National Anthem; song, Mr Watson; vocal duet, Mrs J. Burleigh an 1 Mr E. S. Macfarlane; song, Miss J. Stewart; community sing; song, Master Paul Nutsford; Irish jig, pupils of Miss L. Macguire; song, Corporal J. B. Macpherson; trio, Flower and Sunny McKay and Paul Nutsford; recitation, Mr T. W. McGillivray; song, Miss S. Campbell; duet, Corporal Macpherson and Mr D. N. A. Macpherson; community sing. The accomnaniments were played by Mr E. S. Macfarlane, Mrs M. C. Rice, Mrs McKay and Miss M. Campbell. Major S. Rice, after paying a tribute to the wonderful rririt of the people of England under the leadership of Mr Winston Churchill and his team of Ministers, said he had seen a good deal of the wickedness an' waste of war in 1914-18. Major Rice said there never had been a war in history which dedemanded so much courage and initiative, and young men were leaving peaceful occupations to take part in the greatest war in history—a war in which civilization and Christianity were the stakes. Mr Harper made the presentations to the men as follows: A cheque, hussif and cigarettes to Corporal Macpherson and Private O’Brien, and cigarettes to the visiting men. LODGE MEETING At the monthly meeting of Alma Lodge, 1.0.0. F., No. 34, Bro. J. Hunter, N.G., was chairman. Appreciative reference to the work of the late Bro. W. McNair for the order was made, and members stood in silence as a mark of respect to him. Included in the sick pay was a draft for Bro. A. Birss, Shannon, who advised the secretary that donations from the draft could be forwarded to any member of the lodge serving overseas with the forces. It was decided to thank Bro. Birss for his action and to advise him that £1 was being forwarded to each of the four members of Alma Lodge at present serving overseas. CHOIR CONCERT The concert arranged by members of the Wyndham Presbyterian Church choir attracted only a moderate attendance. The performance was held in the Sunday school hall and a varied programme of choral, instrumental, and vocal items was presented in the following order:—Anthem by the choir; vocal duet, Mrs J. Burleigh and Mr E. S. Macfarlane; pianoforte duet, Misses L. Diack and M. McMillan; hymn,.Sunday school children; song, Mrs W. Milne, with violin obbligato by Mr D. Hunter; anthem, the choir; song, Mr J. Black; sketch by Masters J. Mitchell and N. McFadyen; piano solo, Miss M. McKay; violin solo, Mr D. Hunter; song, Mr E. S. Macfarlane; hymn, Sunday school children; vocal trio, Mesdames J. Burleigh, W. Milne, and Miss S. Campbell; solo, Miss J. Stewart; anthem, the choir; song. Miss S. Campbell; anthem, the choir; National Anthem.

The accompaniments were played by Mesdames D. Macpherson and M. C. Rice and Miss M. Campbell, and Mr D. Hunter conducted the choir. Before the final item the Rev. Dr I. W. Fraser, who presided, thanked the choir for its effort on behalf of the church funds, and also thanked those who were not members for their assistance.

1 RETURNED SOLDIERS f f With the exception that there was 1 some discussion in connection with the ; apparent lack of interest as to the fonna- ; tion of a branch of the Home Guard at . Wyndham, there was little business bel fore the monthly meeting of the Wynd- > ham branch of the Returned Soldiers’ > Association. Mr Arthur Rae was chairi man, and visitors were present from ■ Edendale and Gore. In reply to a question by Mr R. Mc--1 Caughan the secretary (Mr M. Mcf Fadyen) said so far no further informa--1 tion was to hand as to the formation ’ of a branch of the Home Guard in the town. A long discussion ensued, during which a full account of the meeting 1 held at Edendale recently was given by , Mr T. Hickey. Mr Rae said they were ■ a little disappointed that nothing had ■ been done locally so far, as it was the I local authority’s job to take the initia- ■ tive in the matter of calling a meeting to set the scheme going. Further, there • was a motion on their books a month ago to offer their services to the Town • Board in the matter. Mr S. Clarke, speaking on behalf of ' the Town Board, said the meeting of district delegates called at Gore recently to consider matters in connection with the formation of the Home p uar d in the Eastern District had clashed with their monthly meeting, which was the sole reason the board had not been represented at the meeting. He understood that a meeting in connection with the Home Guard would be held in the near future. ANGLERS’ EFFORT Members of the Wyndham Angling Club had a day out on Saturday when nine members weighed-in 132 weighing 1411 b 7oz dressed weight. The effort was a worthy one, as the club had received special permission from the Marine Department to sell the trout for some patriotic purpose, and as a result the sum of £3/7/6 will be de- . voted to the London Distress Fund. j There was a large attendance of the | public at the weigh-in and the fish were readily disposed of. The Wyndham river was the most popular with the competitors. r Following was the result of the weigh-in: R. K. Bain, 28 fish weighing 291 b 3oz (scr) 1; A. Muir, 16 fish weighing 171 b 4oz (40 per cent, on) 251 b, 2; A. Gregory, 18 fish weighing 231 b 14oz (5 per cent, off) 221 b lloz, 3; G. Johnstone, 24 fish weighing 191 b 6oz (scr); L. Mitchell, 17 fish weighing 141 b 3oz (20 per cent, on) 171 b; S. Shanks, 11 fish weighing 71b (25 per cent, on) 81b 12oz; H. Hunter, 4 fish weighitig 31b 14oz (100 per cent, on) 71b 12oz; H. Heath, 5 fish weighing 81b 3oz (scr); E. Mitchell, 9 fish weighing 81b 13oz (scr). A. AND P. SOCIETY A special meeting of the Schedule Committee of the Wyndham A. and P. Society was held to consider the allocation of the special trophy valued at £l5/15/-, donated by Dairy Products Ltd. , , . It was decided to award this to a dairy group of three animals, purebred or cross, to be judged on dairy qualities. . , A trophy donated by Wright, Stephenson and Co., Ltd., for the Friesian section, was awarded to most points in the milking classes. This is to be won twice in succession or three times at intervals. It was also decided to include an amateur cattle judging competition, a dairy cow to be provided for this purpose. ' A letter was read from the Royal Agricultural Society advising that the . oil fuel controller had approved the ■ issue of petrol to judges, officials and ; exhibitors travelling'to shows, on the ■ production of a certificate from the secretaries of shows, such certificate to be .

presented to the local district or subdistrict oil fuel controller. NO AUTUMN SHOW No autumn show is to be held by the Wyndham Horticultural and Industrial Society next year, but if sufficient interest is taken at the next annual meeting it is to be revived the year after. This decision was taken at a special meeting of the society. Mr W. Thompson presided over Mesdames H. Hunter, O. McKay, D. Macpherson, Misses L. A. Marsh, M. Hayes and Messrs H. F. Hicks and L. Harley. Mr Hicks and Mrs H. Hunter were appointed trustees of the society’s funds.