PAPANUI PARAGRAPHS

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18009, 20 November 1926, Page 26

PAPANUI PARAGRAPHS

NEWS OF THE DISTRICT

By our Special Correspondent

A mile to the north of Papanui is the terminus of the tram. St Bede’s College is there, also the Papanui School, and there is an Anglican Church and a Presbyterian one. It is a natural centre, not a rival to Papanui in any way, but more in the nature of a suburb of Papanui township. At the school are weekly euchre evenings and dances during the winter and the same at St Joseph’s Club, but the district has felt the need of a small hall for public functions, and a move has been made in this direction that is likely to be successful. At the last meeting of the Papanui School Committee, Messrs R. W. Hawke and L. D. Grim wood, as a deputation, asked that the old school site should be secured for the public, and pointed out that the swimming bath was on the site and that part of the old school was still sound, and this portion could be made into a small public hall. During the discussion it came out that if the site is sold by the Education Board the money will go into the coffers of the Education Department in Wellington, and be spent anywhere in New Zealand. It was decided to set up a subcommittee to wait on the board to see what could be done, and to later call a public meeting to ascertain what support the scheme was likely to be given. BEAUTIFYING SOCIETY. Next Saturday is the closing date of the school essay competition, and Mr J. Sturrock states that the result will be made known on December 4. The essay differs from former years in that the principal points will be awarded on the imagination of the scholars, and ungrammatical construction or bad writing will not necessarily bar the competitor. AMERICAN TEA. An American tea and sale of work will be held next Saturday in St Paul’s Schoolroom by the choir members of St Paul’s Church. A start will be made at 2.30 p.m. and in the evening a concert will be given. The admittance all day is free. This is an effort to raise funds for the repair of the organ. W.C.T.U, The cradle roll annual meeting of the Papanui Women’s Christian Temperance Union was held recently in the Presbyterian Sunday School Hall, when a good number of mothers and children attended. Mrs Simpson presided and spoke words of welcome to all. Mrs Neilson (superintendent) also spoke. Solos and recitations were given by Mrs Merrin, and the Misses Haberfield and Merrin. Mrs Simpson and Mrs Neilson were both recipients of beautiful bouqv\ets, presented by Miss Thelma Hay ton and Master Lindsey Neilson. Five new members were enrolled. Afternoon tea was dispensed by the social committee and fancy basket-s and sunshades full of sweets were given to each child. PAPANUI A.O.F. The fortnightly meeting of the Papanui A.O.F. was held in the Oddfellows’ Hall on Monday, November 15. Brother W. Munro, C.R., presided over a fair attendance. Sick pay -was passed for payment to four brothers. Two new members w’ere initiated, Brother Munro, C.R., assisted by Brother Claridge, P.C.R., performing the ceremony. Sister Hooper’s resignation from J.B. was accepted with regret. Brother W. Banks was elected for the J.B. posi

tion. ST PAUL’S PEALS. Mrs Boocock, Proctor Street, sends this interesting letter:—ln last Saturday’s “Star” there appeared a list of bell ringers, but the old identities who were the first to ring St Paul’s bells at Papanui forty-six years ago were not mentioned, among them being:— Mr Fred Blackmore, sen. Mr Alf. Ford, sen. Mr Hudson, sen. Mr Joe Delahunt. Mr Smith then called “Calico.” Mr Wilkins, sen. Mr Leversedge. Mr Blhckmore and Mr Hudson were bell ringers together in England, and after coming to New Zealand they both rang the bells for many years at St Paul’s, Papanui. Mr Alf. Ford, who sang in the Papanui Choir and rang the bells for many years was succeeded by his sons, Alf. and Harry, who were both choir boys and bell ringers. A blue ribbon with gold lettering which gives an interesting account of the early church days, was presented to each of the old bell ringers to celebrate the occasion of the ringing of the bells given by Mr Matson, and later a small silver bell with the inscription being the same as on the larger bells “We sing our song in strange lands. St Paul’s, Papanui,” was presened to each of the following:—Harry Ford, Lcn Peglar, C'has. Hill, Ernest and Albert Fletcher, who also rang the hand bells for entertainments. CONCERT. The St Cecilia Choir, which is well known for its beautiful rendering of choral music, will give a grand concert to Papanui residents in the Memorial Ilall on Monday evening at S p.m. This choir which is under the conductorship of Mr Sidney Williamson, D.R.C.M.L., is the only choir of its kind incorporated in New Zealand. The programme arranged promises to be a very popular one, and solos will be given by Mrs N. MacGillivray, Miss Madge Roach (members of the choir), and Mr Ivan Johnson. Another feature will be a pianoforte solo by Miss Bessie Pollard, accompanist to the choir. ST JOSEPH’S, PAPANUI. The weather was very unfavourable for the card players at St Joseph’s on Monday evening. Nevertheless a good number turned up. The prize winners were Mrs Perrott 1, Mrs Burrows 2: Mr P. Smith 1, Mr D. M’Donald 2. Mrs Smith won the “mystery prize.” BAND NEWS. One of the best concerts heard in Papanui was that on Thursday of the Caledonian Society and - organised by Messrs Hall and Payne. However it was poorly attended, and the Papanui Band, who were to have gained by the concert, find that it will barely pay expenses. This comes just at a time when they urgently need funds to pay the deposit on the instruments which are ready for delivery, and the committee hope Papanui will rally round. A meeting was held on Wednesday, Mr

T. F. Ilall presided, and there was a large attendance. A committee was set up to arrange for the sale of work in December, and it was decided to book the Gaiety Hall for next February for dances. EUCHRE. The Horticultural Society euchre evening on Tuesday at the Memorial Hall was well attended. The prize winners were Mrs Scott 1, Mrs Taylor 2; Mr Blackmore 1, Mr Smith 2. NextTuesday the prizes are again two Christmas hams and two cakes, and an extra two cakes are given for a novelty prize.