Sumner Ripples

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18959, 4 January 1930, Page 17 (Supplement)

Sumner Ripples

By Special Correspondent of the “ Star."

1929—A RETROSPECT.

A review of the records of the activities of the borough during the past year shows that from Mount Pleasant to Taylor’s Mistake consistent progress has been made, and there is evidence in all directions that the borough is losing none of its popularity. In the matter of gas, alone, thirteen retorts are now required to do what six were sufficient for some years ago. Roads have been improved, together with water supply, electricity and gas: building has gone ahead; and while the numerous societies have flourished others have sprung into being. The first excitement of the new year was promoted by the- formation of a natural swimming pool near the pier. Later a good deal of controversy raged round the proposals regarding the Harrow’ Pool, upon which a favourable report was linally obtained from the Minister of Health, Wellington. Interests of surf swimmers have been maintained by the Surf Club, which instituted a series of profitable entertainments, and about a week ago held its' first surf examination test of the season. In other aquatic matters the Rowing and the Sailing Clubs both show’ good progress, whilst the Outboard Rower Boat Club has firmly established itself, and given popular exhibitions in its races. The council at the end of its financial year showed a balance of £I4BO, receipts being increased by £239 and expenditure being £541 less. Immediately on the new council being elected a thorough inspection of the borough was made. Later the public library was taken over and reorganised. Two gales caused much anxiety, one near the end of June, which scoured down the sand hills, and another early in August, which wrecked the sea wall at Bell’s Baths. The council has been successful in securing Government grants to assist in repairing the damage. Important work has been completed on Scarborough, Upper Clifton, at the foot of Monck’s Spur, at Shag Rock corner' and on the Redcliffs Roads. The main read to Lyttelton has been much improved and the esplanade sea wall towards Grafton Street. The Beautifying Association completed the ornamental plots near the Cave Rock; maintained other ornamental plots and formed fresh ones near the foot of Clifton; and inaugurated a very successful garden competition. Two unique events were the discovern of Maori caves on the Richmond Hill cliffs, and the welcome to sufferers from the Murchison earthquake area. For this a public dance w’as held in June and a special entertainment arranged by the Catholic School about July 26. The personnel of the borough was affected by the coming of the Rev 11. Fallows, who replaced the Rev A. R. Penn. Families and others leaving included: Mr and Mrs F. C. Cooper, Mr \V. Henly, Mr and Mrs C. J. Wilson, Mr and Mrs W. E. Best, Mr and Mrs W. A. Baxter, Mr and Mrs Bromley, Mr and Mrs W. G. Black, and Mr and Mrs J. M. B. Crawford, Miss M. E. Saunders, Mr Guy Powell, and Mr and Mrs 11. M- Williams. The deaths recorded include those of Messrs J. S. Monck, F. N. Adams, A. Blackett and Mrs C. E ’.Gill. The Mothers’ Union, Sailors* Guild and Croquet Club all report favourable progress. The Plunkett Society held a successful dance in September, and the Forensic ran two interesting sessions. The Girl Guides, with Mrs R. 11. Henly as Brown Owl, are now well established.

The bowling club organised a very successful winter series of billiard tournaments, and at bowling won the champion of champions and the champion doubles. The Burgesses’ Association, with Mr Scott, jun., as president, shows renewed vigour, and the SumnerRedcliffs Business Men’s Association has done good work, particularly with telephone matters. Activities connected with the District High School included a carnival, fancy dress dances, annual sports and a tourney with pupils from the Akaroa District High School. The Rugby football club was resuscitated, while the “Soccer” club played seniors as well as juniors and came well up in the competition. The local athletic club had a very successful season; the Volunteer Fire Brigade included an extra competition with Lyttelton; while the volunteer lifeboat members have concentrated upon the purchase of a new motor lifeboat. Excellent conditions prevailed at the golf links, and the club ran a popular dance earl}* in August. Those interested in the Junior Good Templars maintained a very full programme, including a memorable coronation night. The members of the junior tennis club also made a firstclass showing in the tournament. A conspicuous feature of the sunny winter week-ends was the army of motor-cars that brought their human loads to the sunny corners of Scarborough and Clifton. In Redcliffs public progress was instanced in the opening of Te Rae Kura Park; in the work of the Beautifying Association; and in the improvement to the entrance of the Rifle Range. A successful programme of dances was run in the Community Hall. In September the School Committee and the Burgesses’ Association combined staged a successful carnival. One of the leading athletic triumphs of the borough was scored by the Hockey Club, which won the inter-club competition. Tennis is vigorously supported with good results, and both bowling and croquet are prospering satisfactorily. The Outboard Motor Club has its headquarters here, and held its first in March. Taylor’s Mistake proved quite one of the surprises of the borough, and with arrangements for a permanent water supply should progress rapidly. In the inter-borough contest with New Brighton the Sumner teams and clubs scored a win by one point. Problems for the New Year include transport at Shag Rock, and difficulties connected with the vast accumulation of sand near the pier. The Boat Harbour sea wall will be finished, and arrangements made there for the housing of the new life-boat. UNDER CANVAS. A party of campers from Sumner found the anticipation more pleasant than the realisation in the earlier stages of their experiences a fortnight ago. Misfortune dogged them from the start. Trouble commenced with the luggage, which left at an early hour. The passengers in their motor found this on the road towards evening, at a time when they imagined the tents would be up. The vacuum tank had developed a fault, and had to be filled every ten miles. Then the load became unbalanced, and had to be taken off and re-stowed. At a late hour they saw the camp site; but a flooded river damped their remaining spirits. Finally a dray was procured, and, after eight trips, the party, their gear and food, were safely across the yellow stream Whilst the tents were going up, it was discovered that a necessary portion of the framework had been left behind When skilful improvising had provided moderate shelter, all hands stopped for hot tea. Then it was discovered that the tea was in a Sumner garage. Bread and cheese and cold saveloys were eaten in silence by a tired and disappoint-

ed party of nineteen. After this it rained for a week. In spite of all this they spent a happy Christmas, and look forward to a month’s fun yet, away irom home. THE YOUNG TERROR. If any further evidence were wanted to prove that this is the age of the juvenile, the scientist should visit the pier and Cave Rock on Christmas Eve,/ or Boxing night. If he has “nerves’ he should stay at home. The craving to drop a bombshell has often actuated the irresponsible youth. He (and she) loves to shock his (or her) elders. Now the pier offers excellent opportunities. The wary adventurer, realising how close the" beach is to the decking, chooses a dark moment when his elders crowd to admire the quivering reflections as they flash across Clifton Bay. Retiring speedily to the cover of the rocks, he leaves a monster bomb to do the rest. And it does it. The alarming crash lifts the crowd off their seats. The lights suddenly go dark; and in one instance a well-known elderly resident, who is always the first to help the juniors of the borough, was so unnerved by the vicious explosion that he was upset for a week. It was not even a joke, and steps will certainly betaken to prevent any recurrence. SYMPATHY. The untimely death of Mr H. L. M’Garry comes as a great shock to all who knew him, and his presence will be sadly missed by many residents of Sumner and Redcliffs. He was keenly interested in sport, and was a valued member of the volunteer Fire Brigade. Subsequent to his death his comrades in the brigade met and decided to organise a fund to help his widow and family, who have been deprived of thensole means of support. Those who are desirous of helping are asked to send their contributions to Mr J. S. Thomas, who has been asked to organise the relief fund. BAND CONCERTS. The third Sunday afternoon band concert arranged by the Business. Men s Association was given by Derry’s Band in the pier rotunda on Sunday fast. The weather was kindly disposed and a large crowd listened to a most enjoyable programme. To-morrow the band of the Sydenham Salvation Army will give another concert, particulars of which will be found in the advertisement column. CHANGES IN THE ESTUARY. The perpetual sequence of changes in the arrangement of the sand banks in the estuary is, at the moment, very interesting. Just opposite Shag Rock, a sandy beach during the past six years has not only thrust its way towards Redcliffs, but has developed hills covered with coarse “ cutty grass.” This broad stretch is now being threatened by an attack from the river farther up. During the high tides of last week the water nearly cut it from the main spit, and, by the look of things, it is almost certain that at no distant date this will become an island at high tide and permit the flow of a new channel along the beach now used by motorists from South Brighton. OUR WATER SUPPLY. Visitors to Sumner at this time of the year scarcely realise the excellence of the borough water supply. In so many towns throughout the Dominion is the supply drawn from river and gully, that, it is possible, even the per*, ennial resident lives unconscious of the superiority of its quality. When leaky pipes in the estuary some years ago permitted an unpopular addition of sea salt, this was certainly not true. With the main supply now coming from artesian wells on the Ferry Road we have an abundance of the purest cold water in the world. This week visitors were astonished to find that all we had to do was to push a pipe down into the ground and allow nature to keep the supply going. A Sumner resident who was recently in Helensville, north of Auckland, was surprised to find a similar artesian supply, with the exception that it was 160 degrees F. and highly charged with sodium and other mineral compounds useful for the cure of rheumatism. ON HOLIDAY. A party of Sumner residents this week traversed the road to Kaikoura. The popularity of the tent camp astonished them. There seemed to be miles of canvas town. The first big camp was seen at the mouth of the Oaro River, at the commencement of the magnificent coast road running to Kaikoura. From this point to Goose Bay, there was an unending chain of canvas settlements. The motor-car abounded. Each tent had its motor. Often, the motor-car itself became part of the canvas structure. Tent poles were by no means necessary. Ropes stretched from tree to tree allowed these to be dispensed with. In some cases elaborate arrangements were evident; frequently a happy party was seen gathered round the most primitive improvisations. Goose Bay itself appeared to be almost crowded out, and, for several miles beyond, the new settlements appeared. Bell tents, square tents, tented trailers, canvascovered lorries, and canvas awnings, all : were requisitioned to accommodate the open-air holiday-seekers; and, as in the dusk of evening, these merry groups appeared round their generous camp fires, there was no doubt that it was Christmas time and the approach of New Year. THE BATHING. The warmer temperatures this week have brought the bathing into fuli swing. Generally speaking, there are excellent opportunities for lovers of the surf. The main bed of the beach is clean, and the water runs well up to the foot of the sandhills. The surf has been perfect, but thi undertow, towards high tide, had to 1 - treated with some respect. Towards Scarborough the sun bathing areas near high-water mark have been swept away by storms, and the tops of the sand dunes have to be used. About the pavilion, however, there is good sand for this purpose. The bathing becomes increasingly picturesque. Costumes and beach gowns arc attractively coloured, and provide bright, vivid patches against the broad, tawny background. In the water may now be seen the popular inflated rubber toy float. These are gaily coloured and in their variety of fish and other animal form add to the charm of a brilliant day. Last year a raft provided endless fun in the breakers. This year it is a bright red canoe. SUMNER TEMPLARS. The weekly meeting of Sumner Pride juveniles was held in the Methodist Sunday School room. Sister B. Sexton was acting C.T., and Brother T. Baxter was stiperintendent. Visitors included Sister M. Teague from Redcliffs, who gave a short lecture and wished everybody a happy New Year. Members were asked to be present next Wednesday and to bring their prick cards. They were also asked to give in their entries for the sports on January 18, the closing date being January 8. A special car will be available for juveniles. Next Wednesday I will be the S.J.W. night, when the I Redcliffs temple will be represented. ] The meeting was closed after those

present had participated in an enjoyable programme of games arranged by Brother Baxter, A.S.J.W. REDCLIFFS JUVENILES, 1.0.G.T. The regular meeting was held in the public school on Tuesday, Brother George Johnson, C.T., presiding. Sister L. Jamieson was r. warded first prize in the temperance question competition; Brother Gordon Johnson first prize for bringing most new members, and Sisters T. Lowe, M. Houghton and M. Teague consolation prizes in a recent competition promoted by a Nels—i juvenile temple. The S.J.W. announced that, owing to the school holidays, no meeting would be held next Tuesdav, but members were cordiallv invited to attend the Sumner Pride temple >n Wednesday next. The following ontributed items:—Sisters M. Cooper. 1. Cooper, J. Darling, L. Darling, R. R. Graham, N. Graham, I Heaton, M. Houghton, T. Lowe, B vloffatt, J. Reed, D. Reed. C. Stratfor< and M. Teague, Brothers A. Carstairs George Johnson, Gordon Johnson, Johnson, 11. Nempthorne, R. Scragj. .and J. Graham. PERSONAL. The Misses Boulton, accompanied by their mother and Mr C. Baxter, are returning to Sumnei after spending a holidev at Queenstown and Dunedin. Dr Stevens returned from the south' on Thursday evening.