Sumner Ripples

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18615, 17 November 1928, Page 25 (Supplement)

Sumner Ripples

By Correspondxnt of thm “ Star.**

ST PAUL’S METHODIST CHURCH. The anniversary services in connection with St Paul’s Methodist Sunday School were held last Sunday. The singing of the children was a delightful feature of all the services, and a great portion of the success was due to the orchestra, which accompanied the singing. Last Moday the annual tea meeting and prize-giving were held, when the children entertained those present with recitations and songs. The Rev A. R. Penn presided, and with the Rev F. B. Lawrence presented the prizes. Amongst the awards were those for Scripture examinations for Methodist Sunday schools throughout New Zealand. They were as follow;—Yvonne Hall, 99 per cent. Over 50 per cent— Derek Hall, Ngaire Ogier, Thelma Parsons, Joan Phillips, Alan Duns, Phoebe Baxter, Jean Duff, and Elsa Duff. Each received a diploma. SUMNER D.H.S. Acting on advice from the Health Department, the committee closed the school to scholars of ten years of age and under. The restriction has now been altered to apply only to those under ten years of age. The new building for the secondary classes is making good progress. The roofing has been completed and the glass windows fitted. VOLUNTEER FIREMEN. The Borough Council has received the thanks of the local Volunteer Fire Brigade for assistance recently given for the demonstration at St Leonard’s Square. The brigade contemplates sending a team for the demonstration to be held in Hokitika in March, 1929. To raise funds for this the council has granted permission to conduct side-shows on Boxing Day. GOOD TEMPLARS. The usual weekly meeting was held in the Parish Hall, Brother D. M’Millan presiding over a good attendance. Being parents’ nights, there was a good sprinkling of visitors, all of whom re ceived a hearty welcome to the temple. Items were contributed by Sisters F. de la Roche, M. Ford, H. Ford, F. Cobeldick, and Brothers P. Minsuge, A. Curson and E. Wislang. A vote of thanks was accorded to the parents and friends for gifts of cake, fruit, etc. PERSONAL. Miss Ettie Barber has been appointed lieutenant to the Opawa Rangers. Much surprise was caused this week by the sudden death of Mr Arthur Davies, whose home is a prominent feature on the rock at The Cutting. Mr Davies, who has been a resident of the borough for over twenty years, was well known in building circles and was apparently enjoying his usual health. Although not a member of any public body, he maintained a keen interest in all matters affecting the welfare of the borough and was a member of the Methodist Church. He leaves a widow and four daughters to mourn his death —Mrs *A. Barr, Hunter; Mrs W A. Webb, Clifton; Mrs I. Wilson, Scarborough : and Miss Davies, Redcliffs. Widespread sympathy is felt for the widow and family. The Rev H. Northcote and Mrs Northcote are residing in Redcliffs. SCARBOROUGH FIRE. The Fire Brigade was called out on Wednesday morning, but its services were not required. Just as people realised that a large volume of smoke was issuing from a house in course of erection on Scarborough, the bell rang. For a few moments dense volumes of smoke enveloped the structure and almost as suddenly disappeared. The outburst was caused by fire amongst

some scrim under the building. Workmen in the upper storey noticed the smoke and soon had the blaze under control. CLIFTON PATHWAY. The connecting link between Sumner and Redcliffs is being completed for pedestrians in the last section of the footpath under Clifton. A certain amount of rock had to be blasted at the toe of the Clifton Spur, and this exposed a water main supplying the residents. This pipe had to be placed further back to make room for the path, and now that this has been done, the path is being finished with a neatly«curved kerbing. Pedestrians have now a safety zone from Sumner to Redcliffs, and at the same time have a path • that affords one of the most delightful walks in the borough. THE MAIN BEACH. The heavy easterly weather occurring during spring tides first scoured the sand near the sand hills, and then leaving a terrace, worked out a basin of fairly even level right along the beach. This at high tide now gives excellent water for swimming in calmer weather; and, altogether, the prospects for bathing this summer are delightful. The channel which swept out of the river through the rocks, appears to have been entirely closed, and the danger of a current from this at the northern end is very much lessened. At present, also, the beach is particularly clean, and warm days are attracting an increasing number of surfers. SAILING CLUB. The Sailing Club held its first races last Saturday. Starting in fine weather, they finished in a dead calm, but just before five o'clock the boats were rowed home. Sunday promised well in the morning; but, in the later afternoon, came one of the most destructive blasts from the sou’-west that have been experienced for many years. Under such circumtc.noes the Estr.ary became a veritable trap for all kinds of craft. _ Sweeping along the hills and focussing right across to the water towards the sand hills, the hurricane caught several crews unawares. Fortunately there were no fatalities, but the event will serve as another earnest warning that the greatest care is needed on the open water in all westerly weather. ROWING CLUB. The weather proved disastrous last Saturday. The president of the Sumner-Redcliffs Rowing Club came down to perform the opening ceremony, but advised the Mayor that the weather was too bad, and left for home. Later the heavy squall entirely disappeared, and a number of members and visitors from Union and Cure being present, the club captain, Mr C. Hart, decided tJ put the programme in order by opening the season. The club is deserving of much success. Its members, including the ladies, are very keen, and are anxious to secure good terms for their representative oarsmen. To this end they have worked all through the winter for their bazaar, and hope by this means to reduce the debt they have incurred by providing new boats for the racing events. Last Saturday evening they held a very popular dance in the Community Hall, Redcliffs. REDCLIFFS RESERVE. The Redcliffs Burgesses’ Association which administers the Redcliffs Improvement Fund, provided by subscriptions from private individuals, has made the construction of the path with its fencing at The Cutting possible. The work done on this public reserve has been completed to the satisfaction of the borough engineer.