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Dunsandel Ancient Order of Foresters use of the First Dunsandel Hall/Library 1888-1899 Part 1
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TitleDunsandel Ancient Order of Foresters use of the First Dunsandel Hall/Library 1888-1899 Part 1
DescriptionAlthough the records are not complete, it is likely that Court Star of Dunsandel, Ancient Order of Foresters, No 6727, used the first Dunsandel Hall at least once per year from their formation in 1888 through to the closing of the first hall in 1929.
A very interesting ceremony [1] took place in September 1888, at the opening the new Court Star of Dunsandel, Ancient Order of Foresters ( A.O.F)., by dispensation from the High Court, England, through the medium of the United Canterbury District A.O.F.
The district officers of Canterbury proceeded to the hall where they were met by Dr Withers, he having consented to examine the candidates without the usual fee.
Bro Blackwell, D.C.R conducted the opening, and after the initiation of a number of candidates, installed the officers into their respective places : — Bro John Lochhead as C.R.; Bro Hugh Brown, S.C.E. ; Bro Alexander McLeod, Secretary ; Bro Thomas Noble, Treasurer; Bro Thomas Lochhead, S.W.; Bro Arthur Tong, J.W.; Bro Richard Hill, S.B.
The District Chief Ranger explained to each the nature of the duties of the offices, and spoke on the responsibility incurred. Bros Crooks and Bowen also addressed the brethren, giving some valuable instruction.
Bro John Lochhead thanked the district officers for their attendance.
The first ball was held in the evening presumably in the hall.
In March 1891 [2] the Foresters used the library to assemble for a Church parade before they marched to the Episcopal Church (presumably the Anglican Church as this was the only church in Dunsandel at the time). Special hymns were sung for the occasion by the choir, and a very appropriate sermon was preached by the Rev. Mr Whitehouse.
Every available seat in the church was occupied.
After the service the Foresters marched back to the Lodge-room. It is not clear what was meant by the "Lodge room".
This was followed in May3, 1891, by a most successful ball that was held in the Dunsandel Hall. There was a good attendance from the surrounding district. Music was supplied by James Burgess and R. B. Hill acted as M.C.
The following year, 1892, [4] the format was a concert and dance on a Friday night in September again in the hall. There was a good attendance, and Bro J. Lochhead occupied the chair.
Songs were sung by J.M. Aikman, Fred Lill, Meiklejohn, and Master Davidson. Miss Soanes played the various accompaniments.
A negro farce was given very creditably by several members of the Order.
The room was then cleared, and dancing was kept up until four in the morning. Music was supplied by Miss Soanes (piano), James Burgess and Fred Lill (violins).
Again on a Friday in September 1893 [5] only the details changed. Mr Brockett acted as accompanist.— Miss Redpath, Miss Ranger, Messrs Maurice, F. Lill, Price, Halley and P. Lill took part in the concert.
Dancing was kept up till a late hour and the music was again supplied by Fred Lill and James Burgess.
Again in 1895 [6] the day and month were the same and although the hall was not mentioned it was presumably the venue.
This time however all the talent for the concert, except for Fred Lill, was imported from Christchurch, Ashburton and Rakaia.
The chair was occupied by the district secretary who introduced the performers. Miss Ranger acted as accompanist.
The hall was beautifully decorated with evergreens and emblems of the Order.
After the concert, a very successful dance was held.
Bro. T. Strong made a good M. C, while Fred on piano and James on violin provided the music as they had previously.
The 1898 [7] Friday night, September, concert and dance was affected by the inclement weather and attendance was not a very large. However a thoroughly enjoyable time was spent, the party breaking up about 2 am.
Bro. William Burgess acted as M.C., while Bros. Fred. Lill, who had recently been promoted to C.R, (piano) and James Burgess (violin) supplied the music.
During the evening Miss Lill sang "The Flight of Ages," Bro. F. Lill sang " Sailing," while Bro. J. W. Henry gave two recitations.
Mike Noonan
Dunsandel Historic Society
Date1888-1899SourcePapers PastLocationDunsandel
DescriptionAlthough the records are not complete, it is likely that Court Star of Dunsandel, Ancient Order of Foresters, No 6727, used the first Dunsandel Hall at least once per year from their formation in 1888 through to the closing of the first hall in 1929. A very interesting ceremony [1] took place in September 1888, at the opening the new Court Star of Dunsandel, Ancient Order of Foresters ( A.O.F)., by dispensation from the High Court, England, through the medium of the United Canterbury District A.O.F.
The district officers of Canterbury proceeded to the hall where they were met by Dr Withers, he having consented to examine the candidates without the usual fee.
Bro Blackwell, D.C.R conducted the opening, and after the initiation of a number of candidates, installed the officers into their respective places : — Bro John Lochhead as C.R.; Bro Hugh Brown, S.C.E. ; Bro Alexander McLeod, Secretary ; Bro Thomas Noble, Treasurer; Bro Thomas Lochhead, S.W.; Bro Arthur Tong, J.W.; Bro Richard Hill, S.B.
The District Chief Ranger explained to each the nature of the duties of the offices, and spoke on the responsibility incurred. Bros Crooks and Bowen also addressed the brethren, giving some valuable instruction.
Bro John Lochhead thanked the district officers for their attendance.
The first ball was held in the evening presumably in the hall.
In March 1891 [2] the Foresters used the library to assemble for a Church parade before they marched to the Episcopal Church (presumably the Anglican Church as this was the only church in Dunsandel at the time). Special hymns were sung for the occasion by the choir, and a very appropriate sermon was preached by the Rev. Mr Whitehouse.
Every available seat in the church was occupied.
After the service the Foresters marched back to the Lodge-room. It is not clear what was meant by the "Lodge room".
This was followed in May3, 1891, by a most successful ball that was held in the Dunsandel Hall. There was a good attendance from the surrounding district. Music was supplied by James Burgess and R. B. Hill acted as M.C.
The following year, 1892, [4] the format was a concert and dance on a Friday night in September again in the hall. There was a good attendance, and Bro J. Lochhead occupied the chair.
Songs were sung by J.M. Aikman, Fred Lill, Meiklejohn, and Master Davidson. Miss Soanes played the various accompaniments.
A negro farce was given very creditably by several members of the Order.
The room was then cleared, and dancing was kept up until four in the morning. Music was supplied by Miss Soanes (piano), James Burgess and Fred Lill (violins).
Again on a Friday in September 1893 [5] only the details changed. Mr Brockett acted as accompanist.— Miss Redpath, Miss Ranger, Messrs Maurice, F. Lill, Price, Halley and P. Lill took part in the concert.
Dancing was kept up till a late hour and the music was again supplied by Fred Lill and James Burgess.
Again in 1895 [6] the day and month were the same and although the hall was not mentioned it was presumably the venue.
This time however all the talent for the concert, except for Fred Lill, was imported from Christchurch, Ashburton and Rakaia.
The chair was occupied by the district secretary who introduced the performers. Miss Ranger acted as accompanist.
The hall was beautifully decorated with evergreens and emblems of the Order.
After the concert, a very successful dance was held.
Bro. T. Strong made a good M. C, while Fred on piano and James on violin provided the music as they had previously.
The 1898 [7] Friday night, September, concert and dance was affected by the inclement weather and attendance was not a very large. However a thoroughly enjoyable time was spent, the party breaking up about 2 am.
Bro. William Burgess acted as M.C., while Bros. Fred. Lill, who had recently been promoted to C.R, (piano) and James Burgess (violin) supplied the music.
During the evening Miss Lill sang "The Flight of Ages," Bro. F. Lill sang " Sailing," while Bro. J. W. Henry gave two recitations.
Mike Noonan
Dunsandel Historic Society
Date1888-1899SourcePapers PastLocationDunsandelConnections
CollectionThe Patrons of the First Dunsandel Hall/LibraryPlaceTe Atatiki a Te Wakaaro DunsandelOrganisationDunsandel Historic SocietyMore Information[1][2][3][4][5][6][7]
PlaceTe Atatiki a Te Wakaaro DunsandelOrganisationDunsandel Historic SocietyMore Information[1][2][3][4][5][6][7]Attribution
Researched ByMike NoonanWritten ByMike Noonan
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Dunsandel Ancient Order of Foresters use of the First Dunsandel Hall/Library 1888-1899 Part 1 (1888-1899). Selwyn Stories, accessed 29/05/2026, https://selwynstories.selwynlibraries.co.nz/nodes/view/5510