TEMUKA CHRISTMAS TREAT

Timaru Herald, Volume CL, Issue 22156, 27 December 1941, Page 3

TEMUKA CHRISTMAS TREAT

Orphans Entertained Masonic Lodges Attend Following a custom of more than 20 years’ standing, Santa Claus was met in Temuka by representatives of the combined country Masonic Lodges of South Canterbury. The spirit was one of hilarity as Masters and Worshipful Brothers of the lodges donned paper hats and spectacles and armed themselves with squeakers and trumpets before assisting Santa Claus to board the gaily decorated one-horse waggon which awaited his pleasure. The occasion was that in which members of country Masonic Lodges in South Canterbury associated with the Lodge of St. George combined to provide a Christmas treat for the boys of the Bramwell Booth Salvation Army Boys’ Home.

Ribbons of gaily coloured paper streamed in the wind, balloons bobbed up and down above a screening of greenery, as an elderly draught horse, stimulated by his decorations and the obvious importance and excitement of the occasion, trotted along the main road and down High Street. At the gate of the Bramwell Booth Home a procession was formed, and was received by a guard of honour, comprising 56 white-shirted boys who cheered to the echo, while Santa Claus shed his benedictions right and left as he passed. From the verandah of the Home Santa Claus and the guests were welcomed by the manager (Adjutant Alan Angus) and the matron (Mrs Angus). Brother Taylor said that it had always been a pleasure for the lodges to dispense joy to the boys on Christmas Day. The joy which they give to others was the joy they give to themselves. It had always been the concern of the order to care for the widow, the aged and the orphan. He trusted that they would be spared for many years to continue the good work.

Then came the event for which the boys had been eagerly waiting. With eager, delighted faces, they were called by name to receive thir gifts. After Christmas carols had been sung by the boys, Worshipful Brother Ellery, of the Lodge Geraldine, presented a prize for diligence in Bible study to Winton King, and Worshipful Brother B. Trumper, of the Winchester Lodge, gave a present to Ray Mattingly for being the best behaved, boy in the school. Brother A. E. Smith paid a tribute to the good work being done by the Home and to the fine record of Adjutant and Mrs Angus. The gift of two cricket bats and a ball was then made to the boys on behalf of the Mayor (Mr W. H. McMillan) and the singing of “God Defend New Zealand” by all present concluded the proceedings.

CHRISTMAS CAROLS BY BAND Difficulties in the problem of transport were solved by the Temuka Municipal Band in a very ingenious manner. Finding the customary lorry impossible to obtain and with the possibility of being reduced to doing their usual round of Christmas carolling on bicycles, they made use of an oil-driven Diesel tractor kindly lent by Mr Sid Lister. The trailer made a roomy and exceedingly steady platform for the players. Country districts were visited and the collection amounted to £49. The conductor (Mr V. Thomas) was confined to his bed and the baton was taken over by Mr W. Rennie. The response of the public, considering the limited distance covered was most satisfactory, people showing appreciations of the bandmen’s efforts by gathering in groups on the streets and meeting the collectors with their offerings. TENNIS Following is the draw for the B grade this afternoon: Geraldine v. Clandeboye, Geraldine Flat v. Winchester, St. Joseph’s v. Seadown, Orari v. Milford, Rangitata v. Pleasant Valley.