Sumner Ripples

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18786, 15 June 1929, Page 17 (Supplement)

Sumner Ripples

By Special Correspondent of the ** Star."

PUBLIC LIBRARY. The public library of Sumner was founded by the late Mr.? Preston, the wife of Dr C. Preston, who died at Lin coin. The first books were housed in the porch of what is now the standard 3 room of the Sumner District High School. Twenty years ago the library was to be found in the building now occupied by the motor fire engine. It had occupied this site since the time the borough council had moved out to other quarters, and continued there till about fifteen years ago, when the books were removed to their present premises—a portion of the Town Hall and Council Chambers block. From the beginning it was managed by a volunteer organisation which served the borough equally with the volunteer firemen, lifeboat brigade and lifesaving club. Some of the members are still assisting with the work after over fourteen years’ continuous service. For the main part they are ladies well known in the borough for their publicspiritedness. The committee, of which the Hon J. Barr, M.L.C., has been chairman for several years, has decided to ask the council to assist it in its hour of difficulty. It is expected that this will be done, and that with the continued assistance of willing helpers about three hundred extra volumes per year may be secured for the subscribers. CARNIVAL EFFORT. The sub-committee for the District High School carnival hopes to raise sufficient to bring the grounds and equipment into a high standard of efficiency It is now several years since anything of this sort was attempted, the committee's hands having been full with work connected with the purchase of new sites and with the erection of buildings. A bridge drive will take place next week, and a concert, arranged by Mrs E. A. Sheppard and Mr C. N. Aiken the week following. A lengthy programme has been sketched out, and the final effort will be made on August 23 and 24. EARLY FLOWERS. While gardeners on the lower levels looking for tHe leaves of their

spring bulbs and plants, the residents of Clifton already have the blooms This week the fragrant daffodil, the snow’drop and the violet are all to be seen on the warm slopes, the best of them growing to perfection on the sheltered spurs near the upper road. At this altitude the rising warmth from the valley seems to get trapped, and early blooms are the result. SAILING AND POWER-BOAT CLUB. The annual dance of the Sailing and Power Boat Club was a great success There was a large attendance, and everything, including decorations, music and supper, seemed to have been thoughtfully arranged for. The committee responsible were: Misses Alma M’Grath, Muriel Allen, and Messrs C. W. Allen, Z. A. Penn, J. A M’Callum, F. Glandville, H. Farr and R. W. Gormack. AN UNKNOWN VISITOR. During the stormy weather of Wednesday, while the borough foreman, Mr G. Harper, and his staff *vere attending to a matter in one of the Streets, they were accosted by a stranger who wanted to know r the names of various points of interest close at hand. The visitor stated that, having an hour to spare, and knowing nothing of the city, he had stepped into a handy tram to fill in the time. He stated that he had no idea there was such a place. He was greatly struck with its many attractions in spite of the weather, and expressed regret that, owing to having to continue his journey north that evening, he could not make a longer stay and see the borough on a fine day “I have been all over the world,” he said, “and have not seen a prettier spot.” GOLF. In the recent annual competition for the Rawnsley Cleek, Mrs F. J. Glackin and F. J. Glackin were victorious with one up, Mrs V. E. and R. H. T. Hamilton being runners-up, all square. The medal match was won by Mrs C. I. Wilson, 95, 26, 69, with Mrs H. S. Feast, 96, 26, 70, next. A bogey foursome for the president s (Mr C Sead-Gowing) prize was won by

Miss G. Wilson and Miss V. Eaton on a tie. Miss G. Wilson’s prize was won in the flag match by Mrs R. S. Moloney. SUMNER GOOD TEMPLARS. The usual meeting of the Sumner Pride was held in the Parish Hall this week, the C.T. Brother P. Minouge pre siding. The S.J.W. announced that members were to meet outside the hall on Sunday, June 16, at 2.15 p.m. Birth day greetings were extended to Bro ther Baxter, A.S.J.W., and to Sister P Baxter. A programme including T. T. T. cards proved both interesting and educative to the juveniles. It was decided to hold a quoit competition next week. THOUGHTLESSNESS. As the tripper goes to native bush reserves and satisfies some intinctive craving by plucking ferns which he very soon casts aside, so the visitor to Sumner often forgets, himself and destroys plants that have- been tended with patient care by residents and members of the Beautifying Association. At one time it is the wattle plumes from trees in the reserves; later it may be flowers from the ornamental beds by the roadside. Just at present, it is a flowering gum tree on the Scar borough short cut. All the flower bear ing boughs have been broken off. Such wanton damage, in the eyes of those who are jealously watching and guarding the interests of our plantations and beauty spots, is inexcusable. One or two residents propose to give special attention to this mattei during the next few’ week-ends. They feel that such unwarranted destruction should be severely dealt with. RIFLE SHOOTING. The shoot for the weekly competitions was well attended by the mem bers of the Sumner-Redcliffs Ladies Miniature Rifle Club on Wednesday. The targets for the senior brooch resulted in a tie for Miss Bobs Ellis and Miss Muriel Whitfield. The junior button was won by Miss Corsen Four tied for the trophy—Miss Bobs Ellis, Miss Muriel Whitfield, Miss Corser and Mrs Jerard. In the shoot off ; the latter two shots tied again and the final was held over till next Wednes day. FOOTBALL. The senior Soccer team last Saturday ; brought much joy to the hearts of its svipporters by defeating one of the best teams in the competition—Western, by 3 to 1. They are now third on : the list and are to be congratulated upon securing the position in their first year. The juniors last Saturday were defeated by Nomads by 1 to nil.

A MOUNTAIN PICNIC. With tramping parties and harriers well to the fore now, the members of the Sumner Methodist Bible Class recently set out for the summit of Mount Herbert, 3300 ft. Leaving Sumner, with Mr T. Baxter, at 8.20 a.m., they reach ed Lyttelton and took the launch to Diamond Harbour After a short spell there the ascent was commenced, a halt being made at a spring near the top, to boil the billy and have lunch. The summit was reached at 2.30 p.m. and although visibility was not at its best a charming view of har hour, plains and distant mountains was obtained. An exciting snow fight was “staged” after which the return was commenced by way of “The Monu ment,” and Purau Valley Road. Fin ally Diamond Harbour was reached at 6 p.m.; Lyttelton shortly after 7; and Sumner at 8.35—a splendid perform ance covering a mountain tramp of over twenty miles. BOROUGH PHOTOS. At its last meeting the Borough Council accepted two photos of the borough from Councillor F. C. Cooper One was of the heavy sea attacking Clifton Bay’ wall, and the other showed a mass of parked motor-cars. This latter, in the years when the average Sumnerite will fly and land on Scarborough Spur, will prove very inter esting. The photographs will be add ed to the collection now in the vestibule of the Town Hall, and will bring iit up-to-date by completing a very . valuable range of pictures. These show portions of the borough from the wreck at Cave Rock in 1860 up to 1929 They show the progress of the borough from the time when the main beaches were a shambles and the local school was a one-roomed building perched on a high bar of sand. REDCLIFFS TEMPLARS. The “Ever Onward Temple” met this l week at the Redcliffs School. Brother Eric Cooper presided. The S.J.W. an- ; nounced that the School Committee had granted the use of the school for s a further twelve months. The Hon J • Barr, M.L.C., was introduced to the t meeting and gave a very interesting ; and instructive address for which he was very heartily thanked. The hope was expressed that he would come again. t It was arranged to include surprise s packets in next week’s programme ! “AS THOU WILT.” I Every day that is bom into this r world comes like a burst of music, and rings itself all the day through; and - thou shalt make of it a dance, a dirge, or a life march, as thou wilt.—Carlyle.