EKETAHUNA

Wairarapa Times-Age, 30 December 1939, Page 7

EKETAHUNA

NEW YEAR DANCE SUCCESSFUL FIRE BRIGADE GATHERING. ("Times-Age” Special.) The annual New Year dance held by the Fire Brigade in the Odd Fellows' Hall last night was well attended and an enjoyable time was spent. Splendid music was provided by Mrs Roach and Mr D. Thompson, and extras were contributed by Mr K. Fletcher. Mr J. Hodgson capably filled the position of M.C. The lucky partner one-step was won by Mrs A. Jefferies and Mr Noel Parsons, and the Lucky Spot waltz by Miss E. Christensen and Mr F. Rossiter. Mesdames S. Daniel and R. Fafeita had charge of the supper arrangements and their efforts were much appreciated by the hungry dancers. Dancing was continued until the small hours of this morning. OBITUARY MRS MARGARET JANE FLETCHER. The death occurred at the residence of her sister, Mrs F. L. Kerr, Feilding, on Tuesday,, of Mrs Margaret Jane Fletcher, mother of Mrs H. Youle (Eketahunij) in her 65th year. The late Mrs Fletcher was - born at Wellington and married the late Mr Fletcher at Gladstone in 1901. After farming in the Gladstone district for a number of years they removed to Wanganui and later to the Waikato. They finally setled in Pahiatua where Mr Fletcher died in 1923. Mrs Fletcher continued to live at Pahiatua until she took up her residence with Mrs Youle some years ago. Being of a kindly disposition, the late Mrs Fletcher made many friends. Of late years she had not enjoyed the best of health. One daughter predeceased her about 6 years ago. Mrs Youle is the surviving member of the family and to her the sympathy of a large circle of friends will be extended. The funeral took place at the Feilding Cemetery on Thursday. There was a large cortege of mourners. Among the many floral tributes were a number from Eketahuna. The pall-bearers were: Messrs W. Miller, A. Miller, W. E. Whetton, D. Kerr, J. Fordice and A. Youle. Personal Items. Mrs W. G. Waterreus is paying a visit to Lower Hutt. The friends of Mr W. Nagel will regret to learn that he is seriously ill in the Pahiatua Hospital. Mr and Mrs R. Farrow will return today from a visit to the Centennial Exhibition. EKETAHUNA SUCCESSES / — AT OLD CALEDONIAN SPORTS. VICTORIES OF H. GREATHEAD. Sports gatherings in Masterton thirty to fifty years ago always saw a strong contingent of competitors from Eketahuna and other parts of the Bush face the starter and substantial prize money found its way north. Many fine athletes claimed Eketahuna and Mauriceville as their home towns. At the Wairarapa Caledonian Society’s annual New Year’s Day gathering and at the Gladstone and other district sports meetings both Eketahuna and Mauriceville competitors were always in the picture; and jolly good sports they were as the writer well remembers being officially associated with many of the sports bodies of the Wairarapa in those far off days. In view of the Wairarapa Caledonian Society’s sports on Monday it may be of interest to recall some of the names associated with one of the gatherings on the Park Oval, Masterton 42 years ago. The late George Heron, who had a store at the corner of Chapel Street and Lincoln Road, occupied today by the firm of Messrs J. A. Betts and Co., was president of the society and others associated with the society were Donald McKenzie of Woodlands, J. L. Murray, who still resides in Masterton, the late George McHattie, the late Alex Mutrie, the late C. A. Pownall. the late Fred Hill (one of the stalwarts of the Masterton Racing Club), Billy Watson (who still resides in Masterton, and who for some years was one of New Zealand's outstandingforwards, wearing an All Black jersey on many occasions), and J. McKenzie (who resided at Te Whiti in those days), while the society's piper was Jack Stewart.

Among those competitors from the Bush district who were successful at the sports was Harry Greathead, of Eketahuna, wild won the 100yds race and the 220yds race, having too much speed for the rest of the fields —and there were many outstanding runners in the district those days, some being classed among the best in the North Island, so-the wins of the Eketahuna runner were indeed very creditable. Harry Greathead, who, prior to going to Eketahuna to live, resided in Masterton, was one of the best runners the Wellington province has seen. It is interesting to note that he won his first race at the Pahiatua sports over 42 years ago. Among other well known competitors at the Caledonian sports at Masterton in 1898 may be mentioned Joe Arthur (who was a prominent cyclist and who still resides in Masterton. and who in his younger days was considered the best male dancer in Masterton and whom Fred Duval. Tom Pollard. John Sheridan. George Stephenson, the J. C. Williamson management, and many other members of the theatrical profession considered the

most artistic bill poster in Australasia), Charlie Ewington (an outstanding cyclist, who is still a resident of Masterton. and well known as chairman of the Masterton Dairy Company), Alf Wilton (nowadays residing in Martinborough, who was a champion over 220. 300 and 440yds), Dick Fellingham (who was not only a prominent runner but a well known footballer in Masterton), Charlie Volheim (who won the maiden cycle race at the 1893 sports) and Fritz Kummer of Mauriceville. a champion wrestler and footballer in those days. Tree felling and log sawing competitions were features at Caledonian sports in those days, and a large percentage of the winners came from the Eketahuna and Mauriceville districts.