CARTERTON

Wairarapa Times-Age, 20 August 1941, Page 7

CARTERTON

BIRTHDAY PARTY

MR W. B. ALLEN HONOURED.

(“Times-Age” Special.)

There was a large attendance at the Carterton band room - last evening when a party was tendered to Mr Wrn. B. Allen to mark his 94th birthdaj r . Visitors were present from all parts of the district and four members of the Wellington Early Settlers’ Association, Mrs Carter, Mr and Mrs Gregory and Mr Wm. Toomath, were also in attendance.

The time was spent in dancing to excellent music provided by Miss Verna Sorensen (piano) and Mr Gordon Udy (mandolin, drum and other effects). Mr P. Beere was an efficient M.C.

A sit down supper was provided in the supper room. Mr W. Toomath read a number of telegrams and letters from many parts of New Zealand congratulating Mr Allen upon having attained his 94th birthday and wishing him “Many Happy Returns.”' On the platform the speaker had with him four generations of the Allen family, Messrs W. B. Allen, George E. Allen, Ernest Ronald Allen and Bryan Allen. Mr Toomath said that the Allen family were among the very earliest settlers in New Zealand and this year was the 100th anniversary of their arrival in New Zealand. He paid a warm tribute to the personal qualities of Mr W..8. Allen. Mr Toomath called upon Mrs Harold Hodder to make a presentation to their guest, which she did in a neat speech, asking him to accept a gift from the W.D.F.U., for which institution, she said, Mr Allen had on many occasions provided wool to enable the Division members to knit socks and woollen garments for Carterton soldiers on active service. Mrs Hodder extended the Division’s best wishes for a happy birthday and for many more to come.

Mr Toomath then read telegrams and letters from many well wishers, among them being Mrs Scott. Messrs Jas. M. Nicholls, John Fensham, H. S. M. Quikley (Dannevirke), Mr Allen’s eldest and 1 youngest sisters and his niece, Mrs A. R. Pagler. Mr Toomath said that the Allen family in the early days helped to make roads, bridges, houses and had even fought in the Maori wars. They also had been instrumental in carrying out work in the early farm settlement. Mr Toomath said that in the early days Mr W. B. Allen had bred the best strains of Romney Marsh sheep, wool from which had been sent to the Paris Exposition and had beaten the other exhibits. One hundred years ago this year Mr Alien’s father had built some of the first boats that had plied in the Wellington Harbour. Many stirring incidents of the early days in Wellington and Wairarapa were related by the speaker, after which the large audience sang “For He's a Jolly Good Fellow.” A birthday cake made and iced by Mr Allen’s daughter-in-law. Mrs E. W. Allen, was cut by Mrs Carter, assisted by Mrs Gregory and Miss M. Ray, all members of the Early Settlers’ Association, everyone receiving a piece.

Mr Toomath then conveyed to Mr Allen birthday greetings from Mr J. W. Andrews, Mayor of the youngest city in the Dominion (Hutt). Mr Allen suitably returned thanks for the gift from the Women’s Division and to everyone for their kind wishes.

OBITUARY MR EDGAR MASON. The late Mr Edgar Mason, whose death occurred yesterday, was born at Wellington in 1857. He was the son of the late Mr and Mrs Sidney Mason. The deceased was sixteen years of age when he left Wellington and came to the Wairarapa. He worked at Castlepoint and Tinui for a time and then removed to Carterton where he took up a property in Belvedere Road some 47 years ago. Deceased was a brother of Mr H. S. Mason, Gladstone, Mr R. Mason, of Christchurch (who for many years looked after the racing stable of Mr D. G. Greenwood and trained such notable horses as Gloaming), Alphaens Mason, of Whakataki, and Alfred Mason, of Featherston. He also had several sisters. The late Mr Edgar Mason is survived by a widow and two sons, Mr Rex Mason, who resides in the j United States, and Mr N. C. D. Mason, / of Martinborough.

GOLF CLUB

MEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP. The following is the draw for the first round of the club championships: From No. 1 tde: Fisher v Booth, Moroney v Goodin, Harrington v Pankhurgt, Dudson v Brown. From No. 3 toe: Lawrence v M. Knowles, Colson v G. Pankhurst, Nix v Hill, Dwanc v Callender. The remaining members will select their own partners for a medal round, and start at No. 17 toe. Schoo! Holidays. The winter term holiday of the local Slate schools will commence on Friday next. The schools will resume work on September 1. Entertainment of Soldiers. The settlers of Dalefield and the surrounding district will entertain five soldiers, in the District Hall tonight. The ladies’ committee is preparing a special supper for the occasion. The names of the soldiers to be entertained are: Corporal N. Walsh, Drivers B. George and E. Heyder, and Ptes A. Burden and E. Smith.