EKETAHUNA

Wairarapa Times-Age, 29 December 1939, Page 7

EKETAHUNA

CRICKET MATCH CONTEST ON NEW YEAR’S DAY. ("Times-Age” Special.) The following is the Bush Cricket team to play a match with Dannevirke, at Dannevirke on- New Year's Day: W. Leith, F. Robinson, J. Tredray, E. Francois, P. Payne (Eketahuna), JMcKay, K. C. Montgomery, H. Rankin' (Pahiatua); D. Keene, D. Signal (Mangamaire): K. Dungan (Fire Brigade). S. Beales (High School), 12th man. Of these players Tredray and Montgomery formerly took part in the Wairarapa senior championship, being members of the Old Boys Club. FAT LAMBS BIG DRAFTS FROM EKETAHUNA. According to a local fat stock buyer big drafts of Eketahuna lambs have already been sent away and these have killed well. One draft averaged 70 per cent and when killed averaged 341bs. Another draft of 501 averaged 37Jlb. SOLDIERS FAREWELLED GATHERING AT HAMUA. The Hamua Hall was filled on Wednesday night to farewell Private Laurie Bailey, of the Special Force, who is on final leave. The large crowd testified to the popularity in which Private Bailey is held in Hamua and the surrounding districts. Dancing was enjoyed to music supplied by the Hicks-Brooker Dahce Band. Mr Bob Mabey was an efficient M.C. During the , supper interval the County Chairman (Mr J. B. Carruthers) made a presentation to Private Bailey, on behalf of the settlers of the district. He also handed to the guest a gift from the employees of the Konini Dairy Factory. In doing so Mr Carruthers said it was Hamua’s hope that Private Bailey would return safely and he wished him good luck during his soldier days. Mrs Hobbs, on behalf of the Hamua Women’s Institute, then presented Private Bailey with a gift on behalf of the Institute members. After Colonel A. H. Herbert, Messrs P. Davies, T. Hancock and D. Bourke had. referred to the valuable services Private Bailey had given the district in a private capacity, those present sang “For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow.” Private Bailey briefly returned thanks. i A delicious home-made supper was done full justice to. Dancing was kept going until a late hour, the gathering terminating with the singing of “Auld Lang Syne.” SEND-OFF AT STATION TO MEMBERS OF SPECIAL FORCE An exceptionally large crowd assembled at the Eketahuna railway station yesterday to give a rousing send-off to members of the Special Force who were returning to Trentham after spending their final leave with relatives in the district. Among those present were the Mayor (Mr W. Simpson), the chairman of the County Council (Mr J. B. Carruthers) and Colonel A. H. Herbert (president of the Eketahuna branch of the Returned Soldiers’ Association.) As the train was drawing out of the station three cheers were given for the soldiers and "For They Are Jolly Good Fellows” was heartily sung. NEWMAN GATHERING FAREWELL TO DRIVER C. BURLING. I Driver C. Bulling, who returns to camp today after spending his final leave with his mother, was given an enthusiastic farewell in the Newman Hall (last night. A big crowd was present, including many friends from Eketahuna and the surrounding districts. A very pleasant time was spent in dancing, interspersed with vocal items. The music was played by Mesdames R. Giles and W. Curry, whose efforts were greatly, appreciated. The duties of M.C. were efficiently carried out by Mr Harry Brooks. Vocal items were kindly rendered by Mrs W. Oldham, Miss Betty Curry and Mr J. Kendall, all of-.which were much appreciated. After supper. Colonel A: H. Herbert, on behalf of the R.S.A., congratulated Driver Bifrling upon the step he had taken in joining .up with the army. It was the earnest wish of all that it would not be long before he was home j again. Colonel Herbert said that he wished to impress upon his hearers that New Zealand was at war and all that it meant. He appealed to lhe young men to join up, and to the women to help the soldiers when overseas. He assured Driver Burling that they would be thinking of him while he was abroad, and that he had their good wishes all (he time. He felt confident that Drive) - Burling would be a good soldier and would always do his bit. Mr T. F. Edge, after making a brief and happy speech, presented Driver Burling with a well-filled envelope, as well as two gifts from anonymous well-wishers. The guest of honour was accorded musical honours after which he suitably replied. Mr W. Ure on behalf of Mrs Burling. thanked those present for their attendance and the good wishes extended to her son. Dancing was then resumed. The singing of “Auld Lang Syne” brought (he gathering to a close.

Personal Items. Mr A. Scott (New Plymouth), Mr F. Scott (Christchurch), Mr and Mrs V. Scott and son (Pahiatua), Mr and Mrs Dempsey (Pahiatua), Mrs Scott (Petone), and Mrs Jaeger (Petone), were recent guests of Mr W. H. Whetton, Parkville. Mrs Power (Wellington) and Miss Quinton ’(Wellington), are guests at Liverpool House. Miss May Fafeita, who has been visiting her parents at Newman, returned to Wellington yesterday. Mr Thorn Oliver is on a holiday at Hamilton. ’ Miss Olive Falkner re.turuned to Wellington yesterday after visiting her parents at Kaiparoro. She was accompanied by her mother, Mrs A. Falkner and Master Rex Falkner. Mr S. Daniel left today to spend the weekend in Wellington. IN THE DAVS OF LICENSE THE EKETAHUNA HOTELS. SOME WELL-KNOWN BUSINESS FIRMS. In the days of license in Eketahuna there were four hotels. Fire burnt, two of them down over 40 years ago. The names of the hotels were: The Eketathuna Hotel in High Street, the Railway Hotel, situated a few yards from the railway property, the Club Hotel and the Universal Hotel, besides Carter’s Temperance Hotel. Perhaps the best known of the licensed hotels was the Eketahuna Hotel of which the late Frank Polling was the proprietor at the period referred to. The coaches for Pahiatua and Woodville started from this hotel. A much smaller structure prior to that of 1896 it was burnt down about 48 years ago and it was rebuilt by the owner, Mr Thomas Parsons. Frank Felling became proprietor of the hotel in 1895, succeeding Mr J Anderson. He was closely associated with sport in the Wairarapa and Forty Mile Bush over a long period of years. He was coach to the Red Star first football fifteen in Masterton in the early years of that club’s existence, and along with his brother, Ted, played for several years for the senior team and represented Wairarapa in its matches oyer a long period, as did his brother. Frank also played for the Bush "reps” and was a prominent cricketer. Born at Wallacetown in 1863 Frank died a few years - ago in Eketahuna. His father in 1876 became proprietor of the Tauherenikau Hotel for some years, and then established a cordial factory at Greytown, subsequently commencing a similar business in Masterton. Frank at one time conducted the Royal Hotel Featherston and the Club Hotel at Eketahuna. Felling’s boarding house in the days of no-licence was a well-known and popular meeting place for “sports” from all over the Wairarapa and Forty Mile Bush, and the recent demolishing of the building removed a landmark in the district and closed the final chapter of the long association of the late Mr and Mrs Felling with the progress of Eketahuna. . Mrs E. J. Lowe, who was proprietress of the Railway Hotel in the 90’s, formerly kept the old “Star Hotel at Masterton, which was situated on the site where St Bride’s Convent stands today. The Railway Hotel was burnt down in September, 1895, and re-built in April, 1896, The storekeepers in Eketahuna at the period under review were A. H. Herbert and Co. (which progressive firm is still in existence today), Jones and Co. (established in 1881 when the town was in the early days of its existence) and H. Aulin. There were two bootmakers’ businesses in Eketahuna in the 90’s. the shop of Mr Walter Steer established in 1894 and that ol Mr Hans Hansen which was opened in 1899. Mr Steer resided at one time at Carterton. and while living in Eketahuna was a prominent member of the local bund and of the Eketahun: Minstrel and Dramatic Society. There were three lodges in Eketahuna in 1896 —the Masonic Lodge, the Eketahuna Odd Fellows' Lodge and Court ’Makakahi (Foresters). The principal officers in 1896 in the Masonic Lodge were W.M., Bro W. B. Abbott; S.W., Bro H. Johnson; J.W., Bro J. R. Juggins. The lodge was founded in 1893 and No. 1 member was Wor Bro H. Johnson. No. 2 membei Wor Bro A. H. Herbert (who has occupied many important offices in Freemasonry and still takes a very keen and active part in the fraternity) while the late Frank Felling was No. 3 member. Wor Bro H. E. Greathead (another Freemason who has rendered the Craft excellent service over a long period of years and who has been associated closely with every movement whicli has had for its object the advancement of the town and district of Eketahuna and who has given splendid service in a wide sphere of activities) ranks as the 29th member to join the lodge. The secretary of the Eketahuna Odd Fellows’ Lodge in 1896 was Mr J. Carter, while Mr J. R Juggins filled a similar position in the Foresters’ Lodge.