GREYTOWN

Wairarapa Times-Age, 12 September 1938, Page 7

GREYTOWN

PRESBYTERIAN SUNDAY SCHOOL SOME INTERESTING HISTORY (“Times-Age” Special) In connection with the Greytown Presbyterian Church jubilee it is interesting to note that the first Presbyterian Sunday school class was opened on July 28, 1889, in the old Foresters’ Hall, the first superintendent being Mr R. C. Black (at that time postmaster in Grey town). There were six teachers and 44 children on the roll. Some of the early teachers were: Mrs Bunting (wife of the then schoolmaster), Mr R. J. Thompson (who had a grocery shop where Rhodes’ Garage now stands), and Mr R. C. Hornblow. Of the original scholars now residing in Grey town, there still are Mr J. Montgomerie, Mr J. Brunton, Mrs W. Falconer, and Mrs A. B. Balfour. Amongst others who helped the Sabbath School as teachers in the early days were Miss I. Baillie, Miss Burnett (now Mrs Knell), Mr A. L. Webster, Mr and Misses Hillier, Misses McMaster, Miss Shirley, Misses A. Muir, I. Muir and Ritchie. When the church was built in 1890, the classes were held there.

On December 8, 1914, the tender of Mr H. Humphries, at £229 7s was accepted for building the Sabbath school, the other tenders being £244, £252 9s, and £257. Then followed efforts to purchase a piano, seats, etc. A bazaar held previously (together with subscriptions collected by Mrs C. Hardinge) realised £202 towards the project. Much credit is due to Mrs Hardinge for her untiring work in getting the school erected.

In 1916, through the generosity of “a wellwisher,” gas was supplied to the school. A “working bee” of managers and their wives laid down concrete paths in front of the Sabbath school, and church, this being one of the happiest Easter-tide gatherings recorded. The first Sunday school picnic was held in O’Connor’s Bush (now known as the Soldiers’ Memorial Park) on Boxing Day, 1891. It was an annual affair at this spot up till 1906. Since then many happy times have been spent in various localities by children and parents. In 1908, a dray and four houses were hired for the day for £l, the managers finding their own driver, but of later years, the motor bus has been requisitioned. Motor Accidents. A collision occurred yesterday at Low’s Corner between a motor car driven by Mr lan Feast, of Western Lake, and a motor cycle ridden by Mr N. Dickens, of Greytown. The latter received a number of cuts and bruises but was subsequently able to proceed to his home. Owing. to a rear tyre bursting a tourer car, which contained five passengers and was driven by Mr J. H. Bennett, of Greytown, capsized on the main road. The occupants of the car suffered minor injuries, with the exception of Mr Bennett, who received serious injuries to his head which necessitated his admission to the Greytown hospital. Obituary. The death occurred on Sunday morning of an old resident of Greytown in the person of Mr John Hodge, at the age of 82 years. The late Mr Hodge was born at Greytown in 1856. As a young man he was apprenticed to the blacksmithing trade under the late William Cundy at Featherston. Later he worked at his trade with William A’Court at Hawera. In 1881 he married Miss Beatrice Downing, and in 1882 he entered into business on his own account at Martinborough, and remained there for ten years. In 1892 he took over the Morison’s Bush Hotel, and also carried on a smithy business there. - In the year 1902 he went farming at Morison’s Bush, and successfully conducted operations till 1916, when he retired and came to reside in Greytown. Mr Hodge was one of the original suppliers to the first dairy factory in Greytown. He was chairman of the Greytown Co-operative Dairy Company for 17 years. Mr Hodge took an active interest in all local affairs. He was a member of the Greytown brass band until it went out of existence. He was a member of the Borough Council for many years, and was at one time deputy mayor. The late Mr Hodge had been in indifferent health for the last eight years. During the last eighteen months he had been in bed. He is survived by his wife, seven children, 26 grand children, and 20 great-grand children. The surviving members of his family are Mr J. J. Hodge (Papawai), Mr W. Hodge (Greytown), Mrs D. Mclntosh (Pirinoa), Mrs R. Tilson (Papawai), Mrs P. L. Roband (Pirinoa), Mrs F. C. Wood (Kahutara), Mrs T. J. Williams (Taumaranui). Table Tennis. The fortnightly buttons tournament was held by the Methodist Ping Pong Club on Friday evening. The winners were A. Carter and G. Knight. Golf Games Postponed, Owing to the wet weather throughout the week all games were postponed at the weekend. Greytown Football Club. This week the Greytown Football Club will celebrate its diamond jubilee. The club was founded in 1878 through the efforts of the late T. S. (“Barney”) Ronaldson. The Greytown Club was the first formed in the Wairarapa, and for the first few years played in the Wellington competitions. The oldest living members are Jas. Maguire (Wellington) and C. J. Beard (Palmerston

North) both of whom are expected to be in Greytown during the celebra-

tions. The following members of the club secured New Zealand representative honours: —H. Udy (1884), D. Udy (1903), C. Stringfellow (1935), R. Cundy. Chimney Fire. The Greytown Fire Brigade was called out on Sunday morning to a chimney fire. Miniature Rifles. The following were the scores in Friday night’s competition, handicaps included:- —A grade—G. Rhodes, 99; R. Tilson, 99; H. Gray, 99; A. Robinson, 99; T. Morgan, 98; R. Eaton, 98. Badge winner: G. Rhodes. B grade—Miss A. Gray, 99; Miss J. Morgan, 99; Miss C, Gray, 99; Miss L. Gray, 99; Mrs Tilson, 99; T. Gray, 99; G. Gray, 99; R. Ingley, 99; G. Knight, 99; Miss G. Gray, 98; Miss S. Gray, 95; A. Morgan, 94; K. Gates, 86; Badge winner: Miss A. Gray.