Pioneering Days Recalled...

Press, Volume CV, Issue 31002, 7 March 1966, Page 5

Pioneering Days Recalled...

Hundreds of people last week re-visited the past at MINSON’S “Nostalgic Old Pieces Display.” Without doubt this is one of the most intriguing displays seen in a city store. Delicate pieces of china vie with sterling silver, pewter, old dolls and a few pieces of furniture. One of the most unusual is a very old commode complete with china pan—when the false top is closed this commode takes on the guise of a chest of drawers. Lovingly embroidered and tucked christening gowns, one is 82 years old, two very old wedding gowns and black lace and jet trimmed capes have been much admired for the lavish detail of a past age—and everyone enjoys the old steel hat pins, quite a formidable weapon one imagines... For sheer old world charm, the Pioneer Kitchen arranged by the Women’s Division of the Federated Farmers is tops. This Association with its traditions so strongly rooted in the past has had the full support of its North Canterbury Branches in gathering together a truly amazing collection. The actual assembly was done by Mrs Orchard, Miss Phillips and Mrs Chapman. We hear that Miss Phillips father was pressed into service as head rust remover and brass burnisher. One toddler sits cosily in its bath on the rag rug in front of the old colonial fireplace with its hanging boiler, iron kettle and brass meat jack, while a younger baby sleeps soundly in its wooden cradle. The table is set for a meal and the old wooden dresser complete with shelf trimming of newspaper cutouts stands in the corner. A lovely touch—through the cupboard door we just eaten a glimpse of a jar of jam topped with its pasted circle of newspaper. The other side of the fireplace shows the dairy bench with chum, butter patts and a copy of Mrs Beeton’s famous Cook-book. Mother oversees all in her richly embroidered black gown and apron and high over the chimney breast King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra smile down on a yet fairly untroubled world. . . You must see and enjoy this Display at MINSONS all this week. 5186