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Dunsandel Ancient Order of Foresters use of the First Dunsandel Hall/Library 1917-1929 Part 3
Description
TitleDunsandel Ancient Order of Foresters use of the First Dunsandel Hall/Library 1917-1929 Part 3
DescriptionThe proceeds of the 1917 [17,18], concert and dance in the over-crowded hall were given to the Red Cross.
The programme was given by a party from Christchurch under R. J. Taylor and every item was well received.
Bro George Sheat presided and drew the attention of the audience to an honours board which had been presented to the Forresters by Bro. E. G. Wright, in honour of the brethren of the Dunsandel Court who had answered the call of their King and country. The board contained thirty names, six of whom had made the supreme sacrifice, namely Bros. H. N. Buttle, S. Crossen, L. Crossen, B. Parriss, P. Upston (all killed in action in France) and F. Stevens (died while in training in camp).
As a mark of respect to the memory of these soldiers, the audience stood in silence whilst the names were read out.
In contrast to what happened in 1916, a large number stayed for the dance, which was kept going till 2 a.m.
The music was supplied by Chappell’s band and Bro. T. Noble acted as M.C.
Again the hall was crowded when the 1918 annual concert was held two months before the end of the war [19].
The Red Triangle concert party was thoroughly enjoyed.
Afterwards a dance was held, for which Mrs Delargey and Messrs Lill and Stewart played, with the proceeds divided between the Y.M.C.A. and Salvation Army War Funds.
WW1 was over when the 31st function [20] was held under happier circumstances in 1919.
Bro. D. T. Wraight spoke of the war and the 10 lodge men who had been killed.
It was unfortunate that of those who had returned, few attended the function as two had not yet returned, others were sick and some now lived at a distance.
The programme, which was undoubtedly one of the best ever submitted to a Dunsandel audience, was most enthusiastically received, and owing to the number of encores demanded it was very late before the function concluded.
Most of the items were presented by people from Christchurch.
Music for the dance was supplied by locals namely Misses Stewart and Chappell, Bros. F. Lill, J. Burgess, W. Chappell and Mr H. Chappell.
Bros. T. Jamieson and T. Noble acted as M.C.'s.
The format of the function changed to dance only in September 1921 [21] as there was difficulty arranging performers for the concert.
Still it was a success from start to finish with a packed hall.
Perfect floor, music and a bounteous supper.
The music was supplied gratis by Misses M. and R. Lill and Chappell and James Burgess and Fred Lill, the latter two were still going strong.
It was dance only again in 1922 [22] but again there was a large attendance of about 40 couples, including people from other lodges in the district.
The Dunsandel Hall was decorated with, numerous emblems and photographs of the Order.
Bro. F. Rapley carried out the duties of M.C. in a capable manner and Bro. T. Noble assisted with the Caledonians.
Misses ?E. Lill. M. Lill, C. Clinton, L. Stewart and Bros. Lill and Burgess supplied the music for dancing.
On this occasion there was a report of a grand march that was led by the Senior Woodward (Bro. G. McDonald) and Mrs. McDonald.
A party from the Farmers' Co-op. performed songs, dances, recitations, and instrumental items at the 1923 [23] annual concert and dance and were thanked by George Sheat.
After the hall had been cleared, dancing was indulged in till the early morning, to music supplied by Misses R. and M. Lill, Messrs Chappell, F. Lill, and Boon. Messrs G. McDonald and J. H. Skinner the M.C.'s.
The secretarial work was in the hands of Mr G. McDonald, who discharged his duties in a most capable manner.
The entertainment in both 1925 and 1926 was conducted by Mr J. H. Cocks and Party from Christchurch.
The advertisement for the 1926 [24] concert and dance pointed out that those who attended the 1925 [25] event so enjoyed Mr J.H. Cocks and party, of Christchurch that they should come again as Cocks had been booked for a second time.
The 40th anniversary in 1928 [26] was also a success both in numbers who attended and in the varied programme provided by the Millicent Jennings Concert Party which included singing, humourous recitations, character dancing and a banjo quintet.
Music for the dance was supplied by Mrs McGrath.
G. McDonald and Bert Watson acted as M.C's and kept the floor well occupied.
A. Elstob carried out the duties of secretary in a capable manner.
The Foresters had held 41 social events by 1929 [27] and the September 12th event was one of the last functions to be held in the old hall.
The building was again crowded, when a very enjoyable concert and dance was given by Mr Albert Willyams's party and dance band, of Christchurch.
As it had been since at least 1917 [28], admission to the concert was 2/-, children 1/- and the dance had risen by 6d to 2/6. Ladies were free.
It is interesting to note that the honour of cutting the cake at the diamond jubilee in 1948 was given to James Burgess, the oldest member of the Order present and one of those who played music for so many of the early events in the first hall. (Mackie, 1979 [29]).
Mike Noonan
Dunsandel Historic Society
Date1917-1948SourcePapers PastLocationDunsandel
DescriptionThe proceeds of the 1917 [17,18], concert and dance in the over-crowded hall were given to the Red Cross. The programme was given by a party from Christchurch under R. J. Taylor and every item was well received.
Bro George Sheat presided and drew the attention of the audience to an honours board which had been presented to the Forresters by Bro. E. G. Wright, in honour of the brethren of the Dunsandel Court who had answered the call of their King and country. The board contained thirty names, six of whom had made the supreme sacrifice, namely Bros. H. N. Buttle, S. Crossen, L. Crossen, B. Parriss, P. Upston (all killed in action in France) and F. Stevens (died while in training in camp).
As a mark of respect to the memory of these soldiers, the audience stood in silence whilst the names were read out.
In contrast to what happened in 1916, a large number stayed for the dance, which was kept going till 2 a.m.
The music was supplied by Chappell’s band and Bro. T. Noble acted as M.C.
Again the hall was crowded when the 1918 annual concert was held two months before the end of the war [19].
The Red Triangle concert party was thoroughly enjoyed.
Afterwards a dance was held, for which Mrs Delargey and Messrs Lill and Stewart played, with the proceeds divided between the Y.M.C.A. and Salvation Army War Funds.
WW1 was over when the 31st function [20] was held under happier circumstances in 1919.
Bro. D. T. Wraight spoke of the war and the 10 lodge men who had been killed.
It was unfortunate that of those who had returned, few attended the function as two had not yet returned, others were sick and some now lived at a distance.
The programme, which was undoubtedly one of the best ever submitted to a Dunsandel audience, was most enthusiastically received, and owing to the number of encores demanded it was very late before the function concluded.
Most of the items were presented by people from Christchurch.
Music for the dance was supplied by locals namely Misses Stewart and Chappell, Bros. F. Lill, J. Burgess, W. Chappell and Mr H. Chappell.
Bros. T. Jamieson and T. Noble acted as M.C.'s.
The format of the function changed to dance only in September 1921 [21] as there was difficulty arranging performers for the concert.
Still it was a success from start to finish with a packed hall.
Perfect floor, music and a bounteous supper.
The music was supplied gratis by Misses M. and R. Lill and Chappell and James Burgess and Fred Lill, the latter two were still going strong.
It was dance only again in 1922 [22] but again there was a large attendance of about 40 couples, including people from other lodges in the district.
The Dunsandel Hall was decorated with, numerous emblems and photographs of the Order.
Bro. F. Rapley carried out the duties of M.C. in a capable manner and Bro. T. Noble assisted with the Caledonians.
Misses ?E. Lill. M. Lill, C. Clinton, L. Stewart and Bros. Lill and Burgess supplied the music for dancing.
On this occasion there was a report of a grand march that was led by the Senior Woodward (Bro. G. McDonald) and Mrs. McDonald.
A party from the Farmers' Co-op. performed songs, dances, recitations, and instrumental items at the 1923 [23] annual concert and dance and were thanked by George Sheat.
After the hall had been cleared, dancing was indulged in till the early morning, to music supplied by Misses R. and M. Lill, Messrs Chappell, F. Lill, and Boon. Messrs G. McDonald and J. H. Skinner the M.C.'s.
The secretarial work was in the hands of Mr G. McDonald, who discharged his duties in a most capable manner.
The entertainment in both 1925 and 1926 was conducted by Mr J. H. Cocks and Party from Christchurch.
The advertisement for the 1926 [24] concert and dance pointed out that those who attended the 1925 [25] event so enjoyed Mr J.H. Cocks and party, of Christchurch that they should come again as Cocks had been booked for a second time.
The 40th anniversary in 1928 [26] was also a success both in numbers who attended and in the varied programme provided by the Millicent Jennings Concert Party which included singing, humourous recitations, character dancing and a banjo quintet.
Music for the dance was supplied by Mrs McGrath.
G. McDonald and Bert Watson acted as M.C's and kept the floor well occupied.
A. Elstob carried out the duties of secretary in a capable manner.
The Foresters had held 41 social events by 1929 [27] and the September 12th event was one of the last functions to be held in the old hall.
The building was again crowded, when a very enjoyable concert and dance was given by Mr Albert Willyams's party and dance band, of Christchurch.
As it had been since at least 1917 [28], admission to the concert was 2/-, children 1/- and the dance had risen by 6d to 2/6. Ladies were free.
It is interesting to note that the honour of cutting the cake at the diamond jubilee in 1948 was given to James Burgess, the oldest member of the Order present and one of those who played music for so many of the early events in the first hall. (Mackie, 1979 [29]).
Mike Noonan
Dunsandel Historic Society
Date1917-1948SourcePapers PastLocationDunsandelConnections
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Researched ByMike NoonanWritten ByMike Noonan
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Dunsandel Ancient Order of Foresters use of the First Dunsandel Hall/Library 1917-1929 Part 3 (1917-1948). Selwyn Stories, accessed 08/11/2025, https://selwynstories.selwynlibraries.co.nz/nodes/view/5512
