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Dunsandel Sports Association and its use of the First Dunsandel Hall/Library 1891-1899 Part 1
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TitleDunsandel Sports Association and its use of the First Dunsandel Hall/Library 1891-1899 Part 1
DescriptionThe meeting [1] that started the Dunsandel New Year’s Day sports event that was held in the domain and ran from 1992 to 1969 (Mackie, 1979) [2] was held in the Dunsandel Hall at the end of November 1891.
The group was initially called the Dunsandel Sports Committee but later became the Dunsandel Sports Association.
There was a good attendance, and Parker Westenra was voted to the chair.
It was unanimously resolved that sports should be held on New Year's Day in the Domain, which had had its status changed from Reserve 316 to Domain.
The district, it was agreed, should comprise the country within seven-mile radius of Dunsandel.
The following gentlemen were elected a Committee : —P. Westenra, J.M. Furze, Fred Wright, J.S. Boag, Fred Lill, David Cornelius, T.D. Boag, S. Adams, A. Aldridge, John Henry, J. Arras, S. Sherrard, H. Brown, J. Brown, J.T. Wright, J.A. Cunningham and G. Burgess.
Subscriptions amounting to £11 were collected in the room.
The Committee afterwards met. Westenra was elected Chairman, J.S. Boag Vice-Chairman, Lill Secretary and Cornelius, Treasurer.
Fred Lill called for tenders [3] to supply a booth at the domain.
It was reported [4] that the Christchurch Dramatic Club would perform on the evening of the sports day, and as they had a number of members who were favourites with the Dunsandel people, it was expected that they would have a crowded house.
In fact the concert in the hall was “fairly well attended” [5]. A dance followed, at which music was supplied by Miss Nixon. Mr W. J. Brown acted as M.C.
The first sport’s meeting was a success and the results were reported [6]. A few improvements were noted for 1893.
By the time of the first sports day, the domain had been planted with a belt of trees, and laid down in grass, and it was expected to form a picturesque spot in the district.
The 1892 AGM [7] was held in mid-October in the Dunsandel Hall. The association had a satisfactory credit balance and there was little change in the committee.
The meeting did extend the boundary to nine- miles from the railway station.
A meeting [8] of the committee was held in the hall in May 1893 and surplus money was invested in the Post Office Savings Bank.
The 1893 AGM [9] was held in mid-October with a few changes in the committee but a decision to extend the boundaries for eligible contestants, making it from Rakaia to Selwyn rivers, from the hills to the sea, taking in a part of Greendale.
The second annual sports event was again held on New Year’s Day in the domain, and were “largely attended” [10].
The events on the programme were well contested, and those who had charge of the arrangements carried out their duties in a prompt and creditable manner.
Fred Lill, as secretary, did everything possible for the convenience of visitors.
The Woolston Band enlivened the proceedings, and a most enjoyable day was spent, the weather being very favourable.
A concert and dance were held in the evening, at which a large number attended
At the 1894 AGM [11,12], again in the Dunsandel Hall, it was resolved “That all events be open to all comers for next year’s sports, and that the entrance fee be 10 per cent on the first prize in all events.
A vote of thanks was accorded to the retiring members of committee, P. Westenra, F. Lill, D. Cornelius, D. Cameron and H. Brown.
The Lyttleton Times report is headed “Dunsandel Sports Association” but the Ellesmere Guardian did not use the word “Association” and there is no mention of a name change in either account. By 1897 the committee were also using the term “Association”.
Two patrons, Sir? John Hall and Parker Westenra, were appointed at the 1895 AGM [13,14].
The 1898 AGM [15,16] attracted a “large” or “fair” attendance in the library depending on which newspaper is consulted.
The customary presentation of the positive balance sheet, election of officers and decision to repeat the event in 1899 was reported. Politicians were again elected as patrons.
Mike Noonan
Dunsandel Historic Society
Date1891-1899SourcePapers PastLocationDunsandel
DescriptionThe meeting [1] that started the Dunsandel New Year’s Day sports event that was held in the domain and ran from 1992 to 1969 (Mackie, 1979) [2] was held in the Dunsandel Hall at the end of November 1891. The group was initially called the Dunsandel Sports Committee but later became the Dunsandel Sports Association.
There was a good attendance, and Parker Westenra was voted to the chair.
It was unanimously resolved that sports should be held on New Year's Day in the Domain, which had had its status changed from Reserve 316 to Domain.
The district, it was agreed, should comprise the country within seven-mile radius of Dunsandel.
The following gentlemen were elected a Committee : —P. Westenra, J.M. Furze, Fred Wright, J.S. Boag, Fred Lill, David Cornelius, T.D. Boag, S. Adams, A. Aldridge, John Henry, J. Arras, S. Sherrard, H. Brown, J. Brown, J.T. Wright, J.A. Cunningham and G. Burgess.
Subscriptions amounting to £11 were collected in the room.
The Committee afterwards met. Westenra was elected Chairman, J.S. Boag Vice-Chairman, Lill Secretary and Cornelius, Treasurer.
Fred Lill called for tenders [3] to supply a booth at the domain.
It was reported [4] that the Christchurch Dramatic Club would perform on the evening of the sports day, and as they had a number of members who were favourites with the Dunsandel people, it was expected that they would have a crowded house.
In fact the concert in the hall was “fairly well attended” [5]. A dance followed, at which music was supplied by Miss Nixon. Mr W. J. Brown acted as M.C.
The first sport’s meeting was a success and the results were reported [6]. A few improvements were noted for 1893.
By the time of the first sports day, the domain had been planted with a belt of trees, and laid down in grass, and it was expected to form a picturesque spot in the district.
The 1892 AGM [7] was held in mid-October in the Dunsandel Hall. The association had a satisfactory credit balance and there was little change in the committee.
The meeting did extend the boundary to nine- miles from the railway station.
A meeting [8] of the committee was held in the hall in May 1893 and surplus money was invested in the Post Office Savings Bank.
The 1893 AGM [9] was held in mid-October with a few changes in the committee but a decision to extend the boundaries for eligible contestants, making it from Rakaia to Selwyn rivers, from the hills to the sea, taking in a part of Greendale.
The second annual sports event was again held on New Year’s Day in the domain, and were “largely attended” [10].
The events on the programme were well contested, and those who had charge of the arrangements carried out their duties in a prompt and creditable manner.
Fred Lill, as secretary, did everything possible for the convenience of visitors.
The Woolston Band enlivened the proceedings, and a most enjoyable day was spent, the weather being very favourable.
A concert and dance were held in the evening, at which a large number attended
At the 1894 AGM [11,12], again in the Dunsandel Hall, it was resolved “That all events be open to all comers for next year’s sports, and that the entrance fee be 10 per cent on the first prize in all events.
A vote of thanks was accorded to the retiring members of committee, P. Westenra, F. Lill, D. Cornelius, D. Cameron and H. Brown.
The Lyttleton Times report is headed “Dunsandel Sports Association” but the Ellesmere Guardian did not use the word “Association” and there is no mention of a name change in either account. By 1897 the committee were also using the term “Association”.
Two patrons, Sir? John Hall and Parker Westenra, were appointed at the 1895 AGM [13,14].
The 1898 AGM [15,16] attracted a “large” or “fair” attendance in the library depending on which newspaper is consulted.
The customary presentation of the positive balance sheet, election of officers and decision to repeat the event in 1899 was reported. Politicians were again elected as patrons.
Mike Noonan
Dunsandel Historic Society
Date1891-1899SourcePapers PastLocationDunsandelCourtesy of Mrs B. D. Watson
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Dunsandel Sports Association and its use of the First Dunsandel Hall/Library 1891-1899 Part 1 (1891-1899). Selwyn Stories, accessed 29/05/2026, https://selwynstories.selwynlibraries.co.nz/nodes/view/5513