MARTON

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 74, Issue 187, 10 August 1931, Page 3

MARTON

ADDRESS BY MR A. E. MANDER Cn Thursday evening, under the auspices of the W.E.A., Mr A. E. Mander gave a splendid address in the Marton | District School on the subject of “Progress during the last hundred years/ ’ ' There was an attendance of 36. Mr G. B. Gregory presided and extended a welcome to “our old friend M- Mander,’’ saying that many present would remember the enjoyable series of lectures that Mr Mander had conducted in Marton for the W.E.A. some live years ago, on famous men of history. It was a serious reflection on the Marton people that as the lectures became progressively more excellent the attendances grew proportionately less. However, he would assure Mr Mander how much appreciated were his visits and proposed a welcome by acclamation, which was heartily given. Mr Mander painted a vivid word picture of conditions prevailing even less thai a centuvy ago, and ridiculed those people who were wont to say that modern humanity was drifting badly and that youth was heading to destruction. He pictured a night in Glasgow IUU years ago and quoted statistics of observers of that time. The population was 110,000—say 60,000 adults. It was said that every Saturday night there were 30,000 drunk and incapables in the streets. Half the adult population! The remainder were ensconced behind bolted doors and shuttered windows. Children, too, were often seen reeling about, and gin was the remedy for most childish ailments. Imagine, he said, jlark filthy streets, j with thugs in every alley-way. And at midnight an exodus from drinking sal i oons (of which there was one to every , 30 people) of drunken fighting, swearing humanity. A feature of the times, said Mr Mander was the making up of parties for the homeward journey after a theatre or ball, for nobody dared walk alone. There would be *” a cry for “Links” and a link-boy with a lamp (for there were no street lights) would lead the way. As might be imagined, immorality under such conditions was rife in all classes and thirty per cent, of births were illegitimate. A woman was liable to a public flogging for her fourth illegitimate child. Such conditions, said Mr Mander, were responsible for the institution of such rigid proprieties in the Mid-Vic-torian era, when the conventions would be considered flouted if a young woman spoke to a man without a chaperone hovering near. One hundred years ago slavery was still practised, and, if though about at all, considered quite all right. It was not until many years later that a public meeting was held at whihe “this dreadtul thing” was denounced. Sixteen offences in those days were punishable with the death penalty, said Mr Mander. “People decry modern generations as being pleasure loving. What of it? It is common to human nature. But how human nature has improved in that respect, too, since 100 years ago. The acme of enjoyment then was a public hanging, and good seats were paid dearly for. Wagers would be taken on the time the victim would take to die. Other amusements were bear baiting, bull-baiting, brawling drinking contests and a host of kindred things, which modern civilisation regards as crude, and cruel. “Yet people sigh for the •good old days,” said Mr Mander. The speaker concluded with a reference to industrial conditions. Life in the coal-mines—girls and boys of all ages, working -1-hour shifts away down m the bowels of th; earth, practically naked—and between shifts, dragging into a common room, with straw palliasses, to spend their sleeping hours—fed on soup and dry bread, No wonder ignorance, depravity and utter immorality were common in the industrial sections. Children in factories worked the same hours, even tiny tots five years of age. Mr Mander held his audience for an hour and a-half with illustration after graphic illustration. At the conclusion of his talk, the chairman and Mr A. Stuart both conveyed their appreciation to the speaker for a splendid entertainment, the latter remarking that while he took exception to Mr Mander’s reference to Glasgow (laughter), he was sure all were very pleased to be living in the present times. The evening closed with a hearty vote of thanks to Mr Mander. PERSONAL Mr G. M. Moffitt, who has acted in th capacity of buyer for the Longburn Freezing Works at Marton for the past four years has been transferred to Feilding and will take U£ his duties there in about a fortnight’s time. Dur. ing his residence in Marton Mr Moffitt has taken a keen interest in the wel fart of the Marton Golf Club and .s captain of the club his services were very much appreciated by the members. RANGITIKEI RUGBY SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP On account of being unable to field a team Athletic seniors forfeited to Holcombe. GOLF MARTON v. RANGITIKEI On Saturday afternoon a team of golfers from the Marton Club visited Bulls, and in a very close contest with members of the Rangitikei Club, Marion won with 12 games, Rangitikei 11 games, one being halved. The ladies of Rangitikei Club provided an excellent afternoon tea which was very much appreciated by the players. Mr G. M. Moffitt, captain of the Marton Club, extended thanks on behalf of the Marton golfers and stated that Rangitikei was particularly iortun- | ate in having such a fine course, the I sandy nature of the ground being ideal for golf. The Marton players always enjoy their trips to Bulls. Mr K. W. Dalrymple, president of the Rangitikei Club, in replying, said that Rangitikei always enjoyed their matches with their neighbouring clubs. The match had been in doubt till the last and he congratulated Marton on their -win. Following are the results, Marton players being mentioned first:— Singles.—M. C. Fenwick beat F. Fenwick: A. Fullerton Smith beat J. S. Pricker; R. Fullerton-Smith beat H. J. ‘Hendry; G. Bevan halved with T. A o