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Early entertainments in Dunsandel
Description
TitleEarly entertainments in Dunsandel
DescriptionEntertainments can be divided into those that are purely for pleasure and those that have an educational component.
The entertainments for pleasure in Dunsandel followed a familiar pattern. Instrumentals, singing and recitations were followed by supper and then the hall was cleared and dancing was indulged in with “great spirit until the small hours of the morning”.
This short article will concentrate on those entertainments involving some training.
Music
Dunsandel started its illustrious musical career very early. At the opening of the first hall in 1874, when some 200 people were present, members of the Dunsandel singing class under Mr A.A. North sang several pieces “very creditably”. This “singing class” was presumably elevated in status a few days later when a correspondent wrote that “our Musical Society, already numbering more than thirty members, is in a flourishing condition”.
North was an interesting character, who while in England in 1896, wrote a book suggesting that all previous music teachers were wrong and that it had been “reserved to him to discover the only true method of voice production”.
Dunsandel hosted many musical and dramatic shows from 1956. Later the Dunsandel Players became the best show in Selwyn.
Draughts
The first report of organised draughts occurred in March 1878 when a Chess and Draught Club was formed with 9 gentlemen. Then silence. In mid-1888, a Mr Wyllie, alias “The Herd Laddie”, toured NZ playing 4638 games, losing 7 with 203 draws.
Dunsandel must have been on the draught's map as he stayed there for a few days and only one gentleman even managed a draw. Wyllie’s visit caused enthusiasm for the game and by August 1888 Dunsandel teams were playing each other.
Next year, after the busy harvest season, a second Chess and Draught Club was formed and by the end of the winter they had beaten Rakaia and Leeston and were “looking about for men better worthy of their steel”.
In May 1890 a team from Christchurch travelled to Dunsandel by train and only won by 4 points. In the return match, Dunsandel were beaten more comprehensively.
In October 1891, Dunsandel beat a team selected from the whole of Ellesmere, by 19 games.
Only two items were published about the Dunsandel Club between 1891 and 1896 however in August 1896 a notice appeared about a forthcoming match between Dunsandel and Killinchy. The article contended that “Dunsandel is par excellence, the home of draught players, so that Killinchy is literally bearding the lion in its den.”
During 1896 the whole of Ellesmere/Dunsandel Draughts players were divided into colonials and non-colonials and two matches were played at Killinchy.
After a win for Dunsandel in 1897 against Southbridge, nothing more was reported from the club in the 19th century.
Debating
A Literary and Debating Society was formed in May 1894 and weekly meetings were held in the hall. At a September meeting, the topic for discussion was "Is prohibition the best way in dealing with the Liquor Traffic?" One of the speeches was presented by a woman, wife of one of the most progressive farmers in Dunsandel.
The club organised varied types of public speaking including impromptu speeches. Socials were also held at intervals and included singing, recitations and a dance to conclude the evening.
The club continued through until 1897 when there were no further reports but by then Miss Kelly had taken the chair on at least one occasion. Only in the tennis club were women as prominent in a mixed club.
Mike Noonan
Dunsandel Historic Society
Date9 June 2022 SourceThe Ellesmere EchoLocationDunsandel
DescriptionEntertainments can be divided into those that are purely for pleasure and those that have an educational component. The entertainments for pleasure in Dunsandel followed a familiar pattern. Instrumentals, singing and recitations were followed by supper and then the hall was cleared and dancing was indulged in with “great spirit until the small hours of the morning”.
This short article will concentrate on those entertainments involving some training.
Music
Dunsandel started its illustrious musical career very early. At the opening of the first hall in 1874, when some 200 people were present, members of the Dunsandel singing class under Mr A.A. North sang several pieces “very creditably”. This “singing class” was presumably elevated in status a few days later when a correspondent wrote that “our Musical Society, already numbering more than thirty members, is in a flourishing condition”.
North was an interesting character, who while in England in 1896, wrote a book suggesting that all previous music teachers were wrong and that it had been “reserved to him to discover the only true method of voice production”.
Dunsandel hosted many musical and dramatic shows from 1956. Later the Dunsandel Players became the best show in Selwyn.
Draughts
The first report of organised draughts occurred in March 1878 when a Chess and Draught Club was formed with 9 gentlemen. Then silence. In mid-1888, a Mr Wyllie, alias “The Herd Laddie”, toured NZ playing 4638 games, losing 7 with 203 draws.
Dunsandel must have been on the draught's map as he stayed there for a few days and only one gentleman even managed a draw. Wyllie’s visit caused enthusiasm for the game and by August 1888 Dunsandel teams were playing each other.
Next year, after the busy harvest season, a second Chess and Draught Club was formed and by the end of the winter they had beaten Rakaia and Leeston and were “looking about for men better worthy of their steel”.
In May 1890 a team from Christchurch travelled to Dunsandel by train and only won by 4 points. In the return match, Dunsandel were beaten more comprehensively.
In October 1891, Dunsandel beat a team selected from the whole of Ellesmere, by 19 games.
Only two items were published about the Dunsandel Club between 1891 and 1896 however in August 1896 a notice appeared about a forthcoming match between Dunsandel and Killinchy. The article contended that “Dunsandel is par excellence, the home of draught players, so that Killinchy is literally bearding the lion in its den.”
During 1896 the whole of Ellesmere/Dunsandel Draughts players were divided into colonials and non-colonials and two matches were played at Killinchy.
After a win for Dunsandel in 1897 against Southbridge, nothing more was reported from the club in the 19th century.
Debating
A Literary and Debating Society was formed in May 1894 and weekly meetings were held in the hall. At a September meeting, the topic for discussion was "Is prohibition the best way in dealing with the Liquor Traffic?" One of the speeches was presented by a woman, wife of one of the most progressive farmers in Dunsandel.
The club organised varied types of public speaking including impromptu speeches. Socials were also held at intervals and included singing, recitations and a dance to conclude the evening.
The club continued through until 1897 when there were no further reports but by then Miss Kelly had taken the chair on at least one occasion. Only in the tennis club were women as prominent in a mixed club.
Mike Noonan
Dunsandel Historic Society
Date9 June 2022 SourceThe Ellesmere EchoLocationDunsandelConnections
CollectionHistory of DunsandelOrganisationDunsandel Historic Society
OrganisationDunsandel Historic SocietyAttribution
Researched ByMike NoonanWritten ByMike Noonan
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Early entertainments in Dunsandel (9 June 2022 ). Selwyn Stories, accessed 15/06/2026, https://selwynstories.selwynlibraries.co.nz/nodes/view/5232