DIGGERS’ MARKET

Wairarapa Times-Age, 14 July 1939, Page 6

DIGGERS’ MARKET

BRISK BUSINESS IN MUNICIPAL HALL

OPENING BY THE MAYOR THIS AFTERNOON.

EXPECTATIONS OF GREAT SUCCESS.

Plenty of choice goods of all kinds and no end of amusing games of skill and otherwise and side-shows galore readily attracted the public to the Municipal Hall today, on the occasion of the Diggers’ Market, organised by the Wairarapa R.S.A. in aid of funds to entertain visiting Australian ex-Service men next year. There is every prospect of the market being an outstanding success. From the time of opening this morning business has been very brisk and by the time the market closes tonight the financial return should be substantial indeed.

The Market was officially opened this afternoon by the Mayor, Mr T. Jordan. The Mayoress, Mrs Jordan, presented the prizes Avon in the competition section for cakes, sweets and knitting. Mr R. Whyborn, president of the Wairarapa R.S.A., said he had every confidence that the traditional Wairarapa hospitality and good fellowship would be maintained in connection with the present effort, which, he was sure, would be highly successful and that the Australians, when they returned to their own country, would carry away with them the same feelings of friendliness and good fellowship which the New Zealand Diggers brought back with them from their visit to Sydney last year. The idea behind the market was not only to collect funds and get assistance from as many people as possible in the district but to give everyone the right to consider themselves as one of the hosts or hostesses to the visitors when they arrived. The Association wanted to arouse the widest personal interests in the reception and entertainment of the Australians. The R.S.A., he said, wished to express to the public of Masterton and surrounding districts its thanks and gratitude of the magnificent response made by all sections of the community to the appeal. Mr Whyborn acknowledged also the great work done by the organisers and their many helpers. So many people had come forward in so many different ways that he could not possibly detail the many helpers, though he wished especially to mention the ladies’ committee under its convenor, Mrs Alexander.

“I am very glad to be associated in some small way with the effort of the Old Guard,” said Mr Jordan in opening the Market, “and happy to see that the men of the Great Silent Division have lost none of their skill as raiders. There is abundant evidence of this everywhere in the hall. I hope they will help themselves in full measure to the support of the inhabitants of the occupied territory. Their requests are not heavy and I trust the inhabitants will assist with good grace. After all, the occasion is a very worthy one. The effort is being made to provide for the entertainment next year of a body of Australian comrades in arms. Our soldiers have assumed, as they did in former days, the responsibility of the public. I know that we shall find them exceedingly appreciative. Eleven years ago we had the honour of entertaining a party of men from the Australian cruiser Australia and I have in my possession a letter from one of the petty officers which is full of warm-hearted appreciation of the welcome they received in Masterton. I wish to throw out a suggestion to the authorities and that is, if possible, that they should try to arrange for the billeting of the Australians amongst our people for one night. Let them be entertained throughout the day if you will, but I believe very great good will be done if you quarter the Australian people amongst ours so that they may learn to know each other a little better than they do now.” Mr Jordan referred to an incident that happened between English people and American soldiers in that connection after the war and said he had much pleasure in declaring the market well and truly open and wishing it every success. Mr J. Robertson, M.P., was unable to attend the opening this afternoon on account of pressure of official duties, but he hopes to be present,this evening.

This evening Jack Earnes’s Novelty Dance Band will play novelty wartime tunes and the Municipal Band and Wairarapa College Pipe Band will also contribute musical items. The drawing of the Glenwood doll will take place shortly after 9 o’clock. A girls’ interhouse goal throwing competition will also be held.

Great credit is due to Mr J. D. O’Connor, the organiser, for his unto ensure the success of the market. He has worked with the utmost enthusiasm and keenness. The official committee responsible for the detail arrangements is as follows: Messrs R. Whyborn (chairman), H. G. Alexander (vice-chairman), H. J. Brass, A. G. Wallis. L. T. Wylie, W. R. McMinn. C. H. Squires, C. D. Robertson. L. S. Nicol, J. H. Irving, W. G. Bishop and W. J. White, and the secretary, Mr A. E. Prentice.

Those in charge of the various stalls, etc., were:—Butcher, Messrs A. Wyeth ■md G. T. Elliot; produce. Mrs R. F. R. Beetham; cakes, Mrs N. H. Prior; jumble, the Misses Cameron; fancy, Mrs Archer Hosking; sweets, Mrs A. E. Prentice: lea room. Mrs A. L. Bennett: supper room, Mrs G. R. Beecroft; character reading. Mrs A. E. Kilgour; hoopla. Mr L. T. Wylie; crown tops. Messrs H. J. Brass and V. Bradley; catch the balls, Mr C. H. Spiers; shooting gallery. Messrs John Mac Kay and A. Macalister; knock down, Mr E. Sortain Smith; roll down, Mr W. G. Bishop; darts, Mr H. G. Alexander; fairv spring, Mr W. E. Vowell; archery. Mr A. W. Reynolds; Soldiers’ Club, Mr W. J. White.

Mr F. G. Butler acted the part of “Old Bill."

The association is indebted to Mr V/. H. Saunders for the installation of a radio, to the Masterton Borough Council for the free use of the hall, the Wairarapa Power Board for electric light installation and the Municipal Band, College Pipe Band and ■ Jack Barnes’s Dance Band for supplying the music.