PAPANUI PARAGRAPHS

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17170, 13 October 1923, Page 13

PAPANUI PARAGRAPHS

NEWS OF THE DISTRICT

By our Special Correspondent

PARKS. Some day. in. a more enlightened age. the choosing of sites for parks ■will be left to experts, whose decision will not be swayed by local interests and prejudices. In the present instance, the City Council can view the matter dispassionately. There are two sites proposed, one at Langdon’s Road, and one at Grant’s Road. The present question for the council to do cide is whether there is a need for a park at Grant’s Road. GIRLS’ FRIENDLY SOCIETY. The members of this society were the guests of Mrs Or bell at the vicarage on Tuesday, and. a very enjoyable evening was spent. It was the final night of the season and the oppor tunity was taken to present a Do niton teapot to Miss Derbidge in view of her approaching marriage. During the evening the girls acted a pretty little tableau. NOTES. Anticipating the success of their social at the end of the month, the library committee are getting prices for the shelving. It is rumoured that the Town Hall management committee will put their case before the public within the next few weeks. The Waimairi Council is instituting a weekly rubbish collection for North Papanui. This progressive move will be much appreciated there. With the Northeot© Settlement, there is quite a township round the tram terminus. and a correspondent writes advocating a park for that end. The widening and grading of Northcote Road is now well under way. The Papanui. Bowling and Tennis Club opened its season on Saturday. The president, the Hon I>. Buddo, declared the season open and n game took place between teams selected by the president and the vice-president, the. Rev W. H. Orbell. The Papanui orchestra played several selections during the afternoon. PARRS. Mr R. J. Pugh, a member of the Papanui Domain Board, and chairman of the Sports Club, who advocates that the Langdon’s Road site to be brought into the city and a park made there, says:—“ In a short time the city must extend to Northcote Road. .Langdon’s Road site is the centre of the Papanui district. It is right alongside the business places and the station, and added to this, .Langdon’s Road park could be made something of. but the other site will never he satisfactory.” SPORTS CLUB. On Tuesday evening the PapanuiHarewood Sports Club met, Air U. J. Pugh in the chair. There were present:— Messrs J. Mun.ro, B. Sisson, W. Sisson, W. Boyce. S. Kruse,, B. Der- i rett, J. Carrington, W. Chapman, J. Tullett, T. H. M’Kenzie, and T. H. Clough, honorary secretarjr. Air W. M’Conn ell was elected a member. The balance-sheet in connection with the ladies’ night showed gross receipts £39 19s and net credit balance £3 Bs. It was decided to hold the first sports meeting on December 29. CYCLE RACE. A field of fifty-three started in the local club's first race of the season, which resulted :--F. Kearns 1, D. M’Feddries 2, Parsons 3, W. Holland 4. A. J-zeathem secured fastest time. The race finished late and several riders were caught going home without lights. The Papanui officials wish to state that they were ready to start the race on time, and the delay was caused by the centre’s official issuing numbers after the starting time. LITERARY SOCIETY". The members themselves contributed papers to last Monday evening’s gathering, and eleven essays of outstanding merit -were handed in and read. Mr H. Tillman was appointed editor, Mr M. L. W alker was in the chair, and about thirty members were present. Those who contributed towards the success of the evening were— Alesdames Danvers-.Hamber, Dench, Uren, Alisses E. Burke. Merva Somerset, Sea re 11, Messrs J. Reynolds, \Y. L. Walker, C. Quigley Afterwards a vote of thanks to Mis Reynolds for her hospitality was carried by acclamation. A lecture on Art by Airs Butler will be given in the Town Hall Library room next Monday. The public are invited to be present. This will be the last of the series of free lectures the society lias arranged for this year. TENNIS. The first match of the season was played on Saturday when Little River journeyed to St Paul’s. When the rain stopped play the local Hub led by 4 games. The, men did well, Tillman won 6-3. Bosvbyes 6-2, Aiawson 6-2 and Esson 3-1. The first two ladies

were not successful, hut Aliss I). Watson held her own (3 all) when plaj was interrupted. St Paul’s B journeyed to Prebbleton. L. Jones won his singles 6-4. and Airs Baynes won 6-5. St Paul's lost by ( games.

THE NEW PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. The foundation stone was laid on Saturday by the Moderator Rev. W. J. Comrie with a silver trowel presented hv the builder, Mr J. Rutledge. The following members of the church are the committee responsible for this work: - Messrs R. Shaw, J). M. Shirlav. W. Lauder, J. Sneddon and the Rev Bickerstaff. PERSONAL. To aid St Saviour’s Orphanage the following Papanui young girls are practising for Mis s Madeline Vynie’s forthcoming dance recital: Alisses Maud Kettle. Al. Aide, Marion Grose, Irene Bell. Zoe Couper, Nancy Hill. Mrs E. J. Pumphrev, John Street, received many trophies at the Avondale’s Golf Club’s wind-up evening. This lady, who is the wife of the club’s popular captain also won the ladies championship. Air Colin Craig was placed first in the men’s recitation at the recent Band of Hope City competition, v At a recent meeting of the Papanui A.O.F. a vote of thanks was passed to Brother Horne for his gift of a respect board Brother Rathgen was nominated for a. scat on the District Board of the A OF Air Jack Walter was referee and handicapper in the recent Tiraaru road race Air George Walker. Papanui Road, a wireless enthusiast, is willing to assist in the formaton of a local radio club. On Thursday night- a most enjoyable evening was, spent at the residence of Air and Airs R. P. Rattray, of Alat-

son’s Road, Papanui, the occasion being: in honour of the engagement of their youngest son Robert Rattray to Don's second daughter of Mr and Mrs C. Bridges, of Durham Street, Sydenham. Numerous toasts were proposed and responded to, and with musicial items and recitations took up most of the evening. Among those present were:-—Mr and Mr? A. Blair, Mr and Mrs C. Bridges. Mrs K. S. Collins, Mr and Mrs R. V. Rattray. Miss D. Bridges. Miss E. Bridges, Miss P. RManson, Miss Doris Rattray, Mr R. \\ . Rattray, Mr A. B. Rattray. The evening came to a close with the singiitg of Auld bang Syne.” PAPANUI PARKS. [TO THE EDITOB.i Sir,—ln your issue of October *5. Mr T. N. Griffin again writes to give his views on the park question. He states that the promoters of sport in the district have their war paint on. It. n very gratifying to think that at last he realises a live body exists in Papanui. We have on cur war paint and many thanks to him and his eight supporters in supplying us with the necessary paint and feathers. We intend to keep on the war path until they give the ratepayers an opportunity of criticising their scheme. The opportunity is given us to announce our war whoop—-Fair play and open play. We arc proud of our paint and our whoop and recommend Mr Grifffin and party to whoop once a day to keep trouble away. Mr Griffin goes on to say that we aver that the Langdon’s Road site to be 500 times a better proposition than Grant’s Road. He is entirely wrong. Mr -Tames Young, Curator of the Botanical Gardens, states that it is 500 per cent l>ettcr. Wo go further and say that there is no comparison between the two suggested sites. .Mr Griffin says he is not going to take up the cudgels for Langdon’s Road site. That may be because lie has not yet learned our war whoop. If ho thinks that Councillor M’Kellar simply moved a notice of motion to allow for an alteration in the price for Grant’s Road he may he greatly mistaken at the next meeting of the City Council, when the matter will be dealt with. We have asked repeatedly through your columns for the farts in connection with the land in Grant’s Road, with cost for construction of n park, and with the amount of rate required, so that the ratepayers in the citv area would have a chance to discuss the matter. Up to the present they have failed to furnish particulars, or to call a public meeting*, but. prefer to adopt other methods by asking the city to grant a poll at the request- of nine members of the so-called Burgesses’ Association . Will M r Griffin explain why he will insist on saying that the bnngdon’s Road scheme is to promote a sporting ground. Surely lie knows that for years we have been in possession of a sports ground. W<? have stated at three public meetings that our object is to provide a recreation ground and park to give the young an. opportunity to get clean and healthv exercise in our own district. Now, sir. the Sports, Club, since its re-fermation eighteen months ago. has assisted to raise £I4OO for the Town Hall, hold and assisted other successful functions in the district, was the first to suggest park improvements, and last, blit not least, rallied round the Progress League after three Grant’s Road supporters had deserted. Tn Mr W. M’Connell, honorary secretary, the club possess a very live wire and he will bring it up to a very high state of perfection with the assistance of the worthy chairman. Mr W. -T. Boyce, and the committee, who are well-known as the workers of the district and they have earned repect from everyone. They are also very proficient in our w ar whoop and strong supporters of the Langdon’s Road Park extension. 3 am in possession of a letter from an early settler giving his impressions of the Grant’s Road property, of which lie was one time the owner. Anyone doubting whether peat i.s on this area can. of they choose, peruse this letter. T would like Air Griffin or his supporters to name any other Hub or body in the district that has done so much for Papanui as the Sports Club, and would strongly recommend them to adopt its methods and rally to its assistance to improve the district.—T am. etc., T. H. CLOUGH. Konorarv Secretary. Papanui-Harewoed Athletic and CveTe Club.

J Sir, — Mr Griffin has again started a campaign on this question. He says | the public statements made by the J opposition (the advocates of Langdon's Road property! show that they have the war paint on. This to me is the finest public compliment yet paid to us. Mr Griffin goes on to say that he. refuses to take up the cudgels; of course he refuses, because from the point of view of the general interests of the whole of the district of Papanui, his case is hopeless. We require men and women with broad-minded views, to run our associations, etc-., and I think this little hint should be thoroughly digested by some of the advocates of Grant's Road site.—l am, etc A BIT OF WAR PAINT.