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Dunsandel WW1 Patriotic Activities associated with the First Dunsandel Hall/Library
Description
TitleDunsandel WW1 Patriotic Activities associated with the First Dunsandel Hall/Library
DescriptionDunsandel Lady Liverpool Fund (LLF) and Red Cross
The first record of the involvement of Dunsandel with the Lady Liverpool Fund was published in August 1914 when under the heading Further Donations, Ellesmere District, Dunsandel £3 14 0 per the Rev. Swanson-Reid [1].
During the war there were many articles published in the newspapers detailing the items made and money collected by LLF groups including those made by Dunsandel’s two schools.
In mid-July 1915 the members of Mrs Ernest Firth's concert party “motored” out to Dunsandel “to provide an entertainment”, in aid of the Red Cross Fund [2].
The Dunsandel Hall was crowded to the doors, and a very enjoyable programme of vocal solos and humorous recitations with numerous encores, ensued.
During the evening a flag, cake, and a pair of hand knitted socks were auctioned. The flag was sold to Mr J.S. Boag for £21, and together with the other items and door takings, over £170 was raised.
A concert in aid of the Red Cross Fund was given by the New Zealand Farmers' Co-operative Association of Christchurch, in the hall, in early December 1915 [3].
There was a large audience, and the Rev. J.S. Reid occupied the chair. About £l6 was taken at the door, and the sale of a flag donated by the New Zealand Farmers' Co-operative Association realised about £144.
The only records we have of the use of the Dunsandel Hall by the LLF is one in July 1916 [4] where the proceedings of the third concert and auction held in aid of the local branch of the LFF took place in the hall.
The concert party were from Christchurch and are better known throughout Ellesmere as Mrs Firth's concert party. Every item received an encore.
Between the first and second part of the programme, a silk Union Jack was sold by auction by Mr C. May, of Rakaia, who acted in a very business-like manner.
This flag, which was made and presented by Mrs A. John, had an inscription worked on it as follows : " Presented by Mrs John to the Dunsandel Branch of the Lady Liverpool Fund; President, Mrs Westenra, vice president, Mrs G. Sheat."
The flag also contained the autograph signatures of all the members of the New Zealand National Government including that of the Prime Minister and Sir J. Ward, and Lord Liverpool, Hon Thomas McKenzie, Colonel Chaffey, and many others.
It can be seen by this that Mrs John went to a lot of trouble over the flag, and well deserved the cheers that were given for her on the night. The flag was finally sold to Mr C. A. Wright for the magnificent sum of 54 guineas.
On the flag being handed to Mr Wright, he made the announcement that it had been bought by the members of the Anglican Church, for whom he had been bidding, and it was their intention to keep it in their church.
Together with other items, approximately £150 was raised.
The concert concluded by the singing of the National Anthem, after which the performers were entertained at supper by the ladies of Dunsandel.
The 1917 annual meeting of the LFF [5] was held in July in the hall and there is a record of the 1918 AGM [6] but the venue was not given.
Mrs Westenra reported in 1917 that meetings were held weekly and items forwarded to the depot each month. A large amount of money passed through the organisation each year with an expenditure of £224 0s 2d
Date1914-1917SourcePapers PastLocationDunsandel
DescriptionDunsandel Lady Liverpool Fund (LLF) and Red CrossThe first record of the involvement of Dunsandel with the Lady Liverpool Fund was published in August 1914 when under the heading Further Donations, Ellesmere District, Dunsandel £3 14 0 per the Rev. Swanson-Reid [1].
During the war there were many articles published in the newspapers detailing the items made and money collected by LLF groups including those made by Dunsandel’s two schools.
In mid-July 1915 the members of Mrs Ernest Firth's concert party “motored” out to Dunsandel “to provide an entertainment”, in aid of the Red Cross Fund [2].
The Dunsandel Hall was crowded to the doors, and a very enjoyable programme of vocal solos and humorous recitations with numerous encores, ensued.
During the evening a flag, cake, and a pair of hand knitted socks were auctioned. The flag was sold to Mr J.S. Boag for £21, and together with the other items and door takings, over £170 was raised.
A concert in aid of the Red Cross Fund was given by the New Zealand Farmers' Co-operative Association of Christchurch, in the hall, in early December 1915 [3].
There was a large audience, and the Rev. J.S. Reid occupied the chair. About £l6 was taken at the door, and the sale of a flag donated by the New Zealand Farmers' Co-operative Association realised about £144.
The only records we have of the use of the Dunsandel Hall by the LLF is one in July 1916 [4] where the proceedings of the third concert and auction held in aid of the local branch of the LFF took place in the hall.
The concert party were from Christchurch and are better known throughout Ellesmere as Mrs Firth's concert party. Every item received an encore.
Between the first and second part of the programme, a silk Union Jack was sold by auction by Mr C. May, of Rakaia, who acted in a very business-like manner.
This flag, which was made and presented by Mrs A. John, had an inscription worked on it as follows : " Presented by Mrs John to the Dunsandel Branch of the Lady Liverpool Fund; President, Mrs Westenra, vice president, Mrs G. Sheat."
The flag also contained the autograph signatures of all the members of the New Zealand National Government including that of the Prime Minister and Sir J. Ward, and Lord Liverpool, Hon Thomas McKenzie, Colonel Chaffey, and many others.
It can be seen by this that Mrs John went to a lot of trouble over the flag, and well deserved the cheers that were given for her on the night. The flag was finally sold to Mr C. A. Wright for the magnificent sum of 54 guineas.
On the flag being handed to Mr Wright, he made the announcement that it had been bought by the members of the Anglican Church, for whom he had been bidding, and it was their intention to keep it in their church.
Together with other items, approximately £150 was raised.
The concert concluded by the singing of the National Anthem, after which the performers were entertained at supper by the ladies of Dunsandel.
The 1917 annual meeting of the LFF [5] was held in July in the hall and there is a record of the 1918 AGM [6] but the venue was not given.
Mrs Westenra reported in 1917 that meetings were held weekly and items forwarded to the depot each month. A large amount of money passed through the organisation each year with an expenditure of £224 0s 2d
Date1914-1917SourcePapers PastLocationDunsandelConnections
CollectionThe Patrons of the First Dunsandel Hall/LibraryPlaceTe Atatiki a Te Wakaaro DunsandelOrganisationDunsandel Historic SocietyMore Information[1][2][3][4][5][6]
PlaceTe Atatiki a Te Wakaaro DunsandelOrganisationDunsandel Historic SocietyMore Information[1][2][3][4][5][6]Attribution
Researched ByMike NoonanWritten ByMike Noonan
Written ByMike NoonanClick on the image to add
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Dunsandel WW1 Patriotic Activities associated with the First Dunsandel Hall/Library (1914-1917). Selwyn Stories, accessed 08/11/2025, https://selwynstories.selwynlibraries.co.nz/nodes/view/5531
