SANDON.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 183, 5 July 1937, Page 8

SANDON.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) SANSON, July 4. On the first Sunday after tho Sandon Old Boys’ Association reunion ball it is customary to hold a memorial service in tho Town Hall. It was pleasing to see a good attundanco this afternoon. Mr 0. Short (president) was in tho chair, • supported by Rev. B. White (Anglican) and Rev. li. E. Ford yen (Methodist), Mr Short aaked Mr J. GYoucher to op oak on his behalf. “Our object this afternoon,” said Mr Crouclicr, “is to pay our tribute of respect to the memory of the pupils of tho Sanson School who have passed to the Great School Above, and who now rest in ‘God s Acre’ in many parts of tho Dominion and elsowhcro. Although it is a natural conclusion that a number of our membem should bo called to llto Groat Beyond, during tho past year no less than fourteen havo passed on, and in addition deaths havo occurred in tho families of several. To their relatives wc offer our heartfelt condolences. I have just heard of the passing of another old pupil yesterday, Mrs Fantliorpe (nec Nellie I’arr), who lived hero 50 years ago. During the War many of our boys gave thoir lives in tho service of the Empire, and to-day we honour thoir memory. It has been said that our association is unique, and I think wo can justly claim that such is the case. One feature of its influence, and possibly not adopted by any other association .of ds kind, is the memorial service which has now been held for sixteen years, and is now known as our Day of Remembrance. That our association has been blessed with men and women of vision, inspiration and broad outlook is exemplified by the tact that it has functioned more or less successfully for over thirty year. it is natural that wc do not correctly estimate tho value of tho friendships made in our youth until wo grow older, when we realise the things which our friends do with and for us form a very important portion of 01 lives. Had it not been for the very generous assistance given l>y the various clergymen it would have been almost impossible to carry on (he service successfully in its present form. Each year one or nioic o these gentlemen make it a practice lo >o present. Wo do appreciate their valuable efforts on behalf of our association. It is verv fitting to dwell upon that fast diminishing band of pathfinders and homemakers who came lo this district upwards of sixtv tears ago. It is a really illuminating thought for us today to study the result of their influence on the chniaoter and aspirations on a community spread over a period of 60 years. In paying a tribute of respect to the memory of tho=e pioneers wo are unconsciously committing ourselves lo a continuation of then; work. Mr Kordyco apologised for not being present at the runion on Friday evening, saving that he thought tho reunion and service the finest tiling in the Dominion. Mr White apologised for f tho Presbyterian minister (Bulls) ill health and also Ins own on Finlay evening. Air White said that thinking of tho-association had made him think of the coral insect, “a tiny insect which bunds * very small home, where it lives and die, but before it dies it leaves a family family continues to build more homes and o on! and finally a century or more late, a coral reef is formed. So also in tins way a mat’’on is developed.” T he o,der pu >T * and pioneers had personality, courage, m depondance, and a free spirit. They had made this a free country and passed on much to the present generation. Let us keep that free spirit and carry on as tho., e who have gone on have done before Us, concluded Mr White. The president U'9, n placed a wreath in memory of the old pupils who had departed. At the conclus on of flir service in the Hall Mr Short 1 hanked Miss Bnnnv for tlm beautiful wroth, Mr White and Mr Fordyec for their help, and Mrs W. Pearce for presiding at the organ Mr White then carried the wreath to ths school , where Mr Croueher spoke a few words. He said lie thought it appropriate that at, the conclusion of the service o remembrance everyone should assemble at the school 801 l of Honours to pay a tribute of respect and do honour to he memory of the boys of the Sanson School who gave their lives in the Great Ur. leecrams and letters were received from the following too Into to be included on Ynday evening: Mr James Nairn (Foildmg), Mr Bert Thomson (Napier), Mr and Mrs Re d (Ohakune). Mr Sanrlon Roberts (Ltuwai), Mr Hugh Walters (Wellington).