OLD SETTLERS’ ASSOCIATION

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 74, Issue 149, 26 June 1931, Page 6

OLD SETTLERS’ ASSOCIATION

MEETING TO BE CALLED LAST NIGHT’S DECISION. A definite move was made last night to form a Wauganui Old {Settlers’ Association. Mr L. J. B. Chapple, at a reunion social of old identities held under the auspices of the card circle of the Wanganui Croquet Club, in Dustin’s tearooms, sponsored the suggestion that some permanent constitution be framed to lay the foundation of a permanent record of the personnel of the past. His plan was enthusiastically endorsed and it was agreed to call a meeting within a fortnight to bring an association into being. The Mayor (Air N. Q, Armstrong) presided and the guests spent a happy time enjoying a splendidly arranged programme of dancing and song. A feature of the evening was the presentation of a token of remembrance to the oldest resident present. This was made by the president of the card circle, Airs Richard Wedderspoon, and the honour of accepting it fell upon Mrs J. M. L. Watt.

The Mayor, in a happy reference to Mrs Wedderspoon, said that she was the oldest living pioneer of the Ttirakina Valley. She arrived, in Wanganui in 1855, 76 years ago. “To-day, she is one of the most enthusiastic bridge players of the circle,” said Air Armstrong, “has sixty grand children, 27 great grand children and is still going strond.” (Applause). The programme was as follows: — Juvenile dancing (five items interspersed), Ila and Joyce Burns; recitation, Miss Phylis Taylor; song (accompanists Mrs Cunningham), Miss Crysell; recitation, Mr Mather; song, Air Frank Thomas: recitation, Rev. Paterson; lyrics, the Lyric Quartette; recitation, Airs Butcher; song. Aliss Galloway; song (accompanistc Airs Emmett), Air Emmett; song, Mr Stone; dance, Joyce Burne; recitation, Air West; song. Air George Spriggens; Dutch dance, Shirley Cramond and Trevor Hunter.