JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS

Chronicle (Levin), 7 March 1949, Page 4

JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS

Levin Dairy Company Hoids Largely-attended Picnic i Marking 50 years' of progressive activity in this 'district, the golden jubilee celebrations of tne Levin Oo-Operatiye Dairy Company commenced on Saturday, when a picnic was held at the Levin racecourse. More than 1400 people, pomprising suppliers and the company's factory stafi and their farnilies, gathered at the course in perfect weather, Tne fixture commenced at 10.30 a.m. and an all-day programme of sports, races and eompetitions was enjoyed. Although the jubilee does not fall due until May (the company was formed on May 3, 1899_)^ ifc was fe'it that advantage . shouid be taken of the fine weather for the suppliers' picnic. The committee set up by the direetors of the company to organise the fixture is to be commended on the able manner in which it attended to the many details. The various sports anct eompetitions were run off in quick succession, excellent prizes were presented to all winning compeiitors and speeeh-making was kept •down to a bare minimum. On tne whole it was evident that all present enjoyed the outing to the full. The "old-timers" could be found in groups reminiscing and as each story was told, the fiood of memories and recollections which ifc brought to mind would be the beginning of another tale of the early days. To many, the fixture woui'd not have appealed, but district farmers g'adly took the opportunity of meeting old friends and making new acquaintances. A considerable portion of the day's entertainment was provided by " the Levin Municipal Band, which ren'dered numerous selections of popular music and marches, under the baton of Mr. C. C. , Banfield. The farming community Iseldom have the opportunity of !hearing the band, which, however, it generously supports, and young and old alike took a great interest in the various presentations. Tug-of-War Contest A tug-of-war competition between teams from various parts of :the district drew a large crow'd of spectators. The first puh was between the ^Ihakara and Fairfield teams, the latter winning after a strong pull. The dairy company staff then met the Linton suppliers' team and defeated them. A team icoached.by Mr. S. Atkins emerged ' the victors of a^struggle with Koputaroa, and followed on to beat the company team: Ih the final, Mr. Atkins' tearn nibt theflFairfiei'd one, I'beati'ng' it in two but of three pulls .to win the contest, The teams comprised eight members each anct 'the members of the winning side were presented with silver medaTs suitably engraved. Mr. J. Sciascia was the supervisor of the contest. I The mornipg and afternoon tea I and dinner arrangements were - I carried out by a firm of profes- [ sional caterers. At the luncheon adj.ournment the hundre'ds of meals were packed irx cardboard boxe's, which proved to be a most convenient method of distribution. Official Opening The official opening ceremony was held prior to lunch, when the chairman of direetors, Mr. T. G. Vincent, called the crowd together, and asked it to sing the National Anthem. This would, he said, be a most appropriate way of opening the function. "On this occasion, we can do no less than stand in silence for a minute as a tribute to those men and women who laid the foundations of this company," he said. Welcoming those present, Mr. Vincent thanked the Levin Racing Club and the Horowhenua A. an'd P. Association for making the grounds avaiiable. The many •others who had helped in any way whats">ever , he thanked one and aP, and asked them to accept his very sincere apprecjation. _ He then called upon Mr. A. J. Gimblett, one of the original suppliers (he began to supply the company in 1906), and a senior direetor of the company, to open the proOn Sthe occasion of the 50th anniversary of the company, he .thought it fitting to go back_ to the days of those fine old pioneers who had set the ball roliing to found the company, said Mr. Gimblett. Mentioning spme of the names which came to his mind, he spoke of the provisional direetors, Mr. S. A. Broadbelt, Mr, J. Prouse and Mr. E. W. Lancaster, adding that the latter name was well known, not only throughout the district but also throughout the dairying world. He took the opportunity of paying tribute to one of the present 'direetors, Mr. H. J, Lancaster, for his work among ihe returned men of both world wars. Messrs. G. Rix, J. D. Brown, J. Aim and J. Smellie, the latter two mandgers of the company, were also men tioned. Among, v the highlights of the company'A T history was when the new factory was opened in 1908. The steam to start the "works" had been turned on by Mrs. J. Prouse, who was present at the picnic. After telling of a -few incfdents from the past, Mr. Gimblett said that he would sound a note of warning in regard to the time anu conbitiops people were working under today. He appealed to those present to forget the 40hour week — it was not that which had laid the foundations of the company. He them declare'd the fixture open. Competition Results The following are the results of (Continued on Page 7)

I (Continued from Page 4) the various sports and competitions: — Toddlers' race. — P. Laing 1, M. McLau^hMn 2, R. Doud 3. Gins', 5 to 7 years. — G. Hagley 1, A. Palme 2, A. Newell 3. Boys, 5 to 7 years. — J. Clark 1, M. Jansen 2, J. Martin 3. Girls, 9 to 11 years. — G. Beriiuiest 1, B. Taylor 2, L. Hensen 3. Boys, 9 to 11 years. — D. Hagley l 1, K. Hapeta 2, K. Patching 3. ! Men's race, 14 to 20 years. — Fhvt | heat: K. Hannan 1, C. Hagley 2, J. Haines 3., Second heat: M. Harr ley 1, N. Allan 2, L. Pratt 3. Final: M. Harley 1, K. Hannan 2, L. P.ratt 3. * - Young women's race, 14 to 20 years. — First heat: B. Meynell 1, L. , McLaughlin 2, L. Honore 3. Second heat: P. Wilson 1, P. Sciascia 2, J. McLaughlin 3. Final:- P. Wil- ' son 1, B. Meynell 2, J. McLaugh/in 3. Married women's race. — Mrs. H. Mason 1, Mrs. E. Robinson 2, Mrs. E. Hodge 3. Married men's race. — First heat: J. C. Parsons 1. C. Robinson 2, D. Trotter 3. Second heat: T. Lancaster 1, G. J. Bird 2, H. L. Marshall and F. Hensen dead heat 3. Third heat: O. L. Pratt 1, K. Beyer 2, D. H. Taylor 3. Fourth heat: C. Laird 1, A. C. Pescini 2, J. Chapman 3. Final: T. Lancaster 1, A. |C. Pescini 2, C. Robinson 3. j School boys' sack race. — J. Jamieson 1, N. Cardie 2, D. Hagley 3. School girls' sack race. — H. I Mason 1, D. Hagley 2, M. Cameron 3. Women's nail, driving competition. — Miss G. Kilsb'y 1. Men's nail driving competition. — V. Pratt 1. I' Chain stepping. — Men: Chap-' pian 1, Small 2. Women: Mrs. W. j Young 1, Mrs. MeDinald 2.