MANUREWA

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 8, Issue 451, 25 July 1919, Page 3

MANUREWA

Monday was the day chosen for the occasion when the Town Board, led by an enthusiastic chairman, entertained the children and adults of the whole district. The day's programme commenced at 2 p.m. with the planting of an avenue of trees on Hall Road. Some 17 trees were planted, a single tree each to commemorate the signing of peace and the sacrifice paid by Nurses Cavell and others, and 15 trees, one each in memory of the young men who left this district and did not return. The trees were planted by, and in the following order — Left hand side—Peace Memorial Tree (Mr. E. S. Pegler, Treas. M.T.8.); Lt. H. Taylor (Mrs. P. Mellors, friend); Sgt. P. Palmer (Merle Palmer.daughter) B. J. McAnnally (Frank McAnnally.hrotlier); Douglas Wood (Mrs. F. W. Wood, mother); John Duncan (Mr. C. 11. Lupton, Chairman Sch Com.); C. ff. Speight (D. McNaughton, headmaster); Frank Sladc (11. Kay, friend). Right hand side Nurses' Memorial Tree (Mrs. Brown, Pres. Victoria League); F. R. Morton (Mrs. VV. Brown, friend); Stanley Edmiston (Mr. T. Bell,! friend); VV. 11. Win-tone (Mr. Rule, Member Sell. Com.); W. Costar (Win. Brown, friend); David Fra/er (Ceo Smith,lriend) A. S. Matthews ((ieo. Coxhead, friend); J. S. Paton (Mr. C. 11. Lupton) At ;CH) p.m. over 300 young folks were entertained to a sumptuous tea in the M iinieipal Hall. Seated down the long tables classes and sexes were well mixed—oh, but what a chatter! -whilst busy teachers and members showered a liberal supply of cakes, sandwiches, and fruit to all and sundry. At 4.30 some 200 adults sat down to a well-prepared banquet presided over by the chairman, Mr. C. H. Lupton, E. S. Pegler, Ceo. Smith, and Ceo. Coxhe;.d.

The building was beautifully decorated with greenery, flowers, and flags. The whole of the catering arrangments were in the hands of the Victoria League and their committee of ladies, Misses Mellors, Palmer, Brown, Perry, and Thompson, these were assisted by other lady members. Throughout the period of the war, this branch of the League has rendered magnificent service in the interests of the Red Cross work, and to provide so thoroughly systematically as they did for over 500 children and adults was a fitting consumation of their past efforts. At 7 p.m. the hall was crowded to excess, when the local school children, under their head master, Mr. D. McNaughton, assisted by the teachers and the following artistes gave a very fine literary and musical programme. This was followed by a citizen's grand ball, where with a fine floor, good music and a carefully prepared supper, dancing was kept up till the early hours. A lengthy programme, nearly all rendered by the school children, concluded about 9.30 p.m. Before the close, Mr E. S. Pegler moved that a hearty vote of thanks be given to the Chairman, Mr C. H. Lupton, and the Headmaster, Mr D. McNaughton. Cheers were called for, and the building rang with the hearty applause. Mr Lupton, as Chairman of the Manurewa Town Board, eulogised the magnificent work carried out by the Victoria League members and the lady teachers, Misses Parry, Ogden and Jeffs. Their training of the children was a very fine piece of work and reflected great credit on the staff. Cheers were called for and the large audience rose as one and cheered again and again.

The day and evening were beautifully fine and a total absence of wind made the gathering a splendid success. In the published programme a special invitation was given to all Returned Soldiers. This was liberally accepted by local and visiting soldiers. The proceedings formed a red letter day for the Manurewa Town District. The whole of the programme was well carried out (no hitch or accident) aoid the Town Board has every reason to believe that the object they aimed at, that is, " the implanting of the day in the memory of the young minds " was duly accomplished.