Shirley-St. Albans Notes

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18644, 22 December 1928, Page 26 (Supplement)

Shirley-St. Albans Notes

By Special Correspondent of the " St«."

ST ALBANS CRICKET CLUB. The teams concluded the fourth match in the junior suburban competition on Saturday. The A team was soundly beaten by Clark’s at Sydenham Park by an innings and 71 runs. The only batsmen to score double figures for St Albans were Bestman 34, C. Winter 16 and H. Wilson 23 not out. The B team beat Shirley by 100 runs. Scores—St Albans 149 and 135, Shirley 87 and 97 (one short). G. Colville gave another good display of forceful batting by scoring 56, which included four sixes and four fours. J. Barter ably assisted him by scoring 41, which included one six and seven fours. T. Watkinson, the only other double figure scorer, made 14. Shirley’s bowlers were Davis three for 54, Streeter two for 10, and Griffiths three for 25. Shirley’s best bats were Boundy 26, Walker 22, Streeter 17, and Drake 14. St Albans bowlers were G. Colville four for 26 (all clean bowled), Watkinson one for 7, Porteous two for 12, and M’Kenzie one for 11. LOYAL BENEVOLENT LODGE, M.U., 1.0.0. F. A successful function took place on Saturday afternoon in the Winton j Street Hall, w'hen the Loyal Benevoj lent Lodge held its annual Christmas j tree celebrations. The proceedings ! started in St Albans Park. Father Christmas entered the park' at 2.45 p.m., where the children were introduced to him by their parents. Games were then played. Father Christmas then headed a procession to the hall (which was beautifully decorated) and took his stand at the large Christmas tree, which was well loaded with toys and illuminated with coloured lights. Father Christmas handed toys to over seventy children, after which the children sat down at the tables loaded with various kinds of eatables, which the children thoroughly enjoyed. Icecream was then handed round, after which the parents were catered for. The function was the most successful that the lodge has ever had. Among the visitors were the District Grand Master, Brother Roberts, and Mrs Roberts. At eight o’clock a social evening and dance were held in the hall for the adult members and lady friends. Among the visitors were officers and sisters of the Loyal Sister Pearce Lodge. N.G. Brother A. C. Foster, in extending a very hearty welcome to those present, referred to the very successful afternoon celebrations, and hoped that the same kind of function would be held next year. Brother S. J. Geary officiated as M.C. The programme consisted of dancing, competitions and items. The following were the prize-winners:—Mrs M’Mullen (musical chairs), Brother and Sister Longley (railway station and towns competition), Miss Macintosh and Mr Courtney (lucky spot competition). The following contributed items:—Burlesque, “ The Village Fire Brigade,” Brothers I. G. Scott and W. PI. E. Parsons; song. Miss Cobleiy; piano duet, Messrs Longley and Ockleshaw; vocal duet, Sister Parsons and Miss Macintosh; recitation, Brother S. J. Geary; pianoforte solo, Brother W. H. Hillsdon. Mr Longley and Brother W. 11. Hillsdon acted as pianists. A pleasant evening concluded by N.G. Brother Foster wishing all present the compliments of the season. The Christmas tree committee, consising of Sisters Parsons and Hillsdon. and Brothers Geary, Parsons and Scott, are to be complimented on the great success of both functions. ST ALBANS DISTRICT SCHOOL. A pleasant function took place at the St Albans School on Tuesday morning, when leather Christmas arrived, greatly to the enjoyment of the scholars in the infant school. A huge Christmas tree supplied by the committee was hung with hundreds of presents for the children. Father Christmas was the most popular man in Christchurch, when he presented every child with a handsome book, a balloon, and a bag of sweets, and promised to attend next year if all the children were good. Mr Thwaites, the head master, in a brief speech said that the ■ function held that afternoon was due

to the splendid efforts of the School Committee in raising the money, and he also thanked Miss Lace, the infant mistress, for the great interest that she took in the children. There was a large attendance of parents at the function. BAND CONCERT. The band concert that was to have been given in St Albans Park next Wednesday evening (December 26) has been postponed to a later date. HOPE OF ST ALBANS LODGE, U.A.O.D. The Hope of St Albans Lodge, U.A.0.D., entertained about ninety children and their parents in their lodge room, St Albans, on Saturday afternoon. Great praise is due to the secretary, Brother M’Kenzie, and the. Christmas Tree Committee. The lodge room was nicely decorated, and in one corner there was a large tree covered with toys and presents for the kiddies, ready for the advent of Father Christmas. PU P. Brother Jowsey welcomed the visitors, and wished all present a merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year. The musical part of the programme was in the hands of Miss Hettrick, who also presided at the piano. The first item was a pianoforte solo by Miss Hettrick, followed by three girls, the Misses R. and J. Trimm and Peterie, who gave recitations, which were well received. Brothers Jowsey and Thompson contributed songs, and Brother A. Vincent recited. All the children received Christmas boxes. The ladies’ committee, consisting of Mrs M’Kenzie, Mrs Hewitt, Mrs Jemmitt and Mrs Russell, dispensed ice-creams and tea. The afternoon was most enjoyable, and the visitors expressed their keen appreciation of the efforts of those in charge to make the afternoon a most pleasurable one. CHRISTMAS GATHERING. The members of the St Albans Rechabite Tent, with their children, participated in an enjoyable Christmas function at the St Matthew’s Schoolroom on Wednesday evening. Those present were welcomed by Brother A. D. Hassail, and the District Chief Ruler, Brother A. Martin, extended his congratulations. Amusements of various kinds were taken part in by all present, and the distribution of gifts by Father Christmas caused much merriment. After supper the young folk gave three hearty cheers for Sisters Beattie, Rees, Hill, Brothers Raisen, Pope and Waldron, who had charge of the arrangements. An announcement was made that on account of the holidays the next meeting of the tent would be held on January 9. The National Anthem concluded a most successful re-union. CHURCH SERVICES. To-morrow at the Rugby Street Methodist Church Christmas services will be conducted by the Rev M. A. Rugby Pratt and the Rev Harold Sharp. A special musical service has been arranged by Mr W. Simpson, and will include choruses, anthems, carols and selections from the “Messiah.” The soloists will be Mrs W. El. Hindle, Mrs W. Stallard, Mrs J. Colthart and Mr E. Harrison. Gifts will be received on behalf of the Papanui Orphanage. TENNIS TOURNAMENT. The annual tennis tournament for the Shirley Methodist Bible Classes was held last Saturday afternoon. Mr P. W. Sharpe placed his court at the disposal of the players, and also provided afternoon tea. Play was keen and fast throughout, and the fine weather, no doubt went a long way in making the event a success. Mr G. Sharpe and Miss M. Sharpe won the mixed doubles, and the competition between the men and women was won by the men after a very interesting game. Messrs R. E. Dixon and G. Sharpe represented the men and Misses M. Sharpe and B. Griffiths the women. On Wednesday evening a social was given in the new Sunday school. Prizes were presented to the successful tennis players. The evening was thoroughly enjoyed by everyone present. Mr N. Sharpe ably carried out the duties of M.C., with Miss M. Southon as pianist. PRESENTATION. The members of the Shirley School Committee and the Baths Committee met at the school for the purpose of wishing the chairman, Mr C. S. Thompson, a very pleasant voyage and holiday in Australia. Various members present spoke of Mr Thompson’s energetic services rendered during the twelve years he has worked in connection with the school. Whatever he undertook to do was never left undone. His whole interests were with the children. Reference was also made to the way in which Mrs Thompson has worked in conjunction with her husband. Mr Stanley, on behalf of those present, then presented Mr Thompson with a silver cigarette case and a box of cigarettes, at the same time wishing Mr Thompson a pleasant voyage and a well-earned holiday. Mr Thompson thanked all for their kind remarks and said his interest had always been in working for the children, and in this respect he had always been helped by his wife.