Marton District

Wanganui Chronicle, 30 November 1948, Page 2

Marton District

Large Congregation Attends St. Andrew’s Day Church Service

A large congregation, which included members of the Marton Scottish Society and the Marton Pipe Band, attended the special St. Andrew’s Day church service held in the Presbyterian Church on Sunday evening. Psalms only were sung and the prayers were offered in “braid Scots.” The two lessons were read by Messrs. A. Govenlock and A. Christie, chieftains of the Marton Scottish Society, and an appropriate solo, “This Beautiful Prayer,” was sung by Mr. R. C. Ball. In his address on “The Fire That Burns in the Heart of the Scots,” the minister of the church, Rev. James Robertson, touched responsive chords as he illustrated his subjects from Scottish life, history, and literature. One of his illustrations was from Sir Walter Scott’s “Waverley,” where the author tells how Evan MacCombich pleaded for the life of his clansman, Fergus Mclvor. When Evan’s offer of six clansmen, including himself, as the price of Fergus’ freedom is laughed at, Evan says sternly, “If the Saxon gentlemen laugh because they think my life or six of mv degree is not worth that of Fergus Mclvor, they may be very right; but if they laugh because they think I would not keep my word nor come back to redeem him, I can tell them they ken neither the heart o’ a Hiela’nman nor the honour of a gentleman.” Mr. Robertson drew a striking parallel between the experience of Moses in his liberation of the Israelites, and King Robert Bruce in his victorious fight for Scottish independence.

Giving his address a practical application, Mr. Robertson said the world needed the fire that burns in the heart of the Scots and needed it today harnessed to the cause of Christ, Too many forgot that the world needed God if it was to be saved from destruction. As an old Scot wisely said: “Ay, ye can cut flowers and they will bloom brawly in a vase for a while. But the verra meenit they are cut off frae the soil in which they grow, in that verra meenit the sentence of death is passed on them.” In the same way, said Mr. Robertson, all things of which we were so proud in our Scottish heritage were closely related to our Christian faith. They could not live and would not live without it. He appealed to Scots to .play their part today by consecrating the fire of their hearts to the pursuit of all that was good and true. The Marton Pipe Band, under Drum-Major G. Sutton, paraded through the town and the pipes were heard both before and after the service. At the conclusion of the service the band entertained with two selections inside the church grounds and this was much appreciated.

Many favourable comments were pas Sea concerning the high standard of playing, which reflected great credit on the band’s instructor. The band is now practicing for the pipe bands’ marching display to be held in Cook’s Gardens, Wanganui, next Saturday afternoon, the proceeds being in aid of the Scots Memorial Hall. STREET SALE FOR PIPE BAND FUND NETTS £5O. The Marton Scottish Society’s street sale held last Friday was an undoubted success and the pipe band’s uniform fund will benefit to the extent of £5O. The demands for eatables was greater than the supply . and before closing time the stalls were practically empty. The secretary of the Society, Mr. J. W. Gibson, yesterday paid a tribute to the ladies who had worked so hard to make the effort so successful. He thanked them for their enthusiasm and cheerfulness. Competitions resulted as follows: Dinner, Mrs. R. G. Cooper; Christmas cake, Mr. A. J. B. Sicely. i CYCLING HANDICAPS FOR TONIGHT’S SPORTS. Postponed from last week because of the rain, the Marton Amateur Athletic and Cycling Club will hold its second sports meeting of the series on Marton Park tonight. An attractive programme has been arranged and the presence of 18 cyclists, including several from Wanganui, should add to the merit of the evening’s entertainment. Besides three cycling events, men’s running includes 100, 220, 880 yards and one mile, and the ladies’ 75 and 100 yards. The colts section will have two events, 100 and 800 yards. For the girls, there will be 75 and 100 yards flat events. A hop-step, and jump and javelin throwing completes the varied programme.

Cycling handicaps are as follows: — Half-mile (first heat): K. Bailey, Westwood 90, Quittenden 80. Clarke, Crocker 70, H. Harvey, P. Gribbins, 1?. Drury 40. G. Sharrock 35. Second heat: D. Urwin. D. Munro. I. Osborne, G. Hogan 90. R. Kendall 60, I. Simpson, W. Kendall 50, L. Simpson 45, A. Sharrock 35. One mile (first heat): D. Munro 260, D. Urwin, Westwood 230, Quittenden 220, Crocker 160, J. Simpson 120, H. Harvey, P. Gribbins 75, A. Sharrock 70 Second heat: K. Bailey, 160. R. Kendall 140, W. Kendall 100, O. Drury 100, L. Simpson 75, G. Sharrock 70. Three mile: D. Munro. I. Osborne I. Osborne 230, G. Hogan 200, Clarke 420, K Bailey, G.* Hogan, D. Urwin 410, Quittenden 350, Westwood, Clarke, Crocker 300, R. Kendall 250, J. Simpson 225, W. Kendall, O. Drury 200, P. Gribbins, L. Simpson, H. Ha/ vey 150, G. Sharrock 125, A. Sharrock 100. REMAINING EVENTS FROM OPEN GUN CLUB SHOOT. It was early evening before the Marton Gun Club completed its programme in the open shoot held on Sunday, when marksmen from all parts of the North Island competed for the numerous trophies. Perfect summer weather prevailed and this contributed much to the successful day’s outing. Remaining results were: 10-bird shoot: N. Crabb, C. C, McDonald, A. Paddy, T. Trott, E. Gorrie, J. McKenzie, P. Rhodes, and D. Holden all shot the “possible” to divide the prize (47 entries). Team shoot: Wairarapa (J. McKenzie. G. Gorrie, K. Kummer, K. Bucknell, K. Morris) 43 birds, 1; Ohingaiti and “Details” (Wanganui) tied, 42 birds Marton, 40 birds, 4: “Mugs,” 28 birds, 5; Manawatu 6. Each team consisted of five shooters. First miss-out: I. Brice, 4 birds. (13 entries). BABY SHOW TODAY. The St. Francis Church has arranged to hold a baby show at its annual fete in the Victory Hall, Marton, this afternoon. There will be three classes for entrants —under six months, six months and under 12 months, and from 12 to 18 months. There will also be numerous stalls and special gifts for Christmas. The fete opens at 2 p.m. with the baby show at 3 p.m. 4