Open/Close Toolbox
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 3.0 New Zealand License
Format: Image
Linked To
CollectionPlaceOrganisation
Map
Copyright
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 3.0 New Zealand LicenseThis licence lets you remix, tweak, and build upon our work noncommercially and although your new works must also acknowledge us and be noncommercial, you do not have to license the derivative works on the same terms.
Menu
Care of the First Dunsandel Hall/Library 1920-1929 Part 5
Description
TitleCare of the First Dunsandel Hall/Library 1920-1929 Part 5
DescriptionIt is interesting to speculate that the success of the evening socials had any bearing on the attendance at the AGM [84], held in May 1920, which exceeded that which had been present for some years.
It was decided to continue the winter evening socials, and the committee was given power to act with regard to a new lighting system for the buildings.
By June three socials had been held with a similar format to previous years [85].
The correspondent’s comment on the July social [86] was that “These socials are becoming very popular with the people of Dunsandel, as the increasing attendances show”.
In May 1921, the socials were even more popular with a record attendance at the first one [87] and a successful gathering for the second [88].
This trend continued through to September [89] and at the record attendance at the final social for 1921 Mabel Stainger again won the euchre [90].
A hard-up social was held in the hall in April 1922 [91] although it is not clear who organised the event.
According to the correspondent there were a good number of young people present, but the hard-up costumes were few and far between although some caused a good deal of amusement.
Mr C. Chatterton, the M.C., was a very good secretary.
The music was supplied by Miss C. Chappell and Mr W. C. Chappell.
The prizes for the most original hard-up costumes were won by Mrs Noble (ladies) and Mr Toon (gents).
The first social [92] for 1922 was held in May and was “not very largely attended” but the reporter speculated that “As it becomes more widely known that these socials have resumed the attendance will no doubt increase”, as did happen with the second one [93].
Mabel Stainger again won the euchre at the August social [94].
The Hall and Library Committee slipped in an extra evening social in September [95] as the evening was vacant.
This time a team from Selwyn and Dunsandel played each other.
After some good games, Selwyn proved the winners by 81 games to 72 games.
The 1923 AGM was unusual in that it was held in April rather than May [96].
There was little to report other than that the socials were to continue in 1923.
The September social [97] in which Selwyn and the Dunsandel districts played cards against each other, was the final. Selwyn proved victors by 45 points to 28.
The reporter summed it up in the last two sentences.
“The socials have been a great success, and the funds have benefited considerably.
The committee’s best thanks are due to the ladies and gentlemen who so generously assisted with the music from time to time.”
For many years reports of the inadequacy of the hall had appeared in the newspapers.
By 1926 there was serious consideration of the matter.
One problem was that the township of Dunsandel was split into two counties at the railway line and while a new hall was not likely to be built on the railway line, those contributing to the new hall would come from two counties.
In September 1926 the Dunsandel Hall and Library Committee explained its situation in a letter to the Selwyn County Council asking if the council would take over control of the hall and library [98].
The Selwyn Council passed the following letter to the Ellesmere Council to see if they had any objection to the proposal, if a three-fifths majority of people in the special rating area were in favour.
They had no objection [99].
“The reasons for asking this are as follows:— The present hall has served its day and now requires replacing, as it is unsafe. The section of land it is built upon is vested in the Crown and is too small for the hall purposes, and it is deemed advisable to purchase a piece of land on the opposite side of the road on which to build, also retain the present reserve for a parking place for cars.
The question of finances is one that the present committee cannot deal with, as it would be necessary to raise some money by way of loan to supplement that which is in hand to build, the new hall.
We, suggest that the present reserve be vested in your council and the old hall sold for removal and that another section of land be purchased on the opposite side of the road on which to build the new hall, and that a special rating area be formed of parts of the Selwyn and Ellesmere counties, over which a special rate be levied for the security for the necessary loan.
Also that the council take the necessary steps to raise a loan sufficient for the purpose.
The council could then appoint a local committee to manage the hall, etc., all receipts, and accounts in connexion therewith to be forwarded to the Council.”
In early March 1927 a public meeting was called [100]
“(1) To nominate a number of residents to act as a Hall and Library Board;
(2) to discuss the question of defining a rating area, the striking of a rate (if necessary), and the raising of a loan for the purpose of building a new Town Hall”.
By May in the same year the Ellesmere Council received a petition saying that 37 out of 44 ratepayers in their area had agreed to support the new hall [101].
Once the decision to build a new hall was made the committee of the old hall started fund raising using the old hall.
Vigorous ticket sales by the chairman (Mr C. A. Wright), secretary (Mr H. A. Brown) and others ensured that the hall was filled for a concert given by the Commercial Travellers' party, from Christchurch [102,103].
The programme was first-class and every item was thoroughly enjoyed and approximately £20 was raised.
Another concert was held in January 1928 [104] and a fine musical programme and a play was promised. This drew a crowded house [105].
“The first part of the programme was given by the Misses G. Brooks, Cunningham, D. Wright, Wraight and Messrs McGrath and McKivett, the accompanists being Mrs McGrath, and Miss Cunningham”.
The second half of the programme was a play, those taking part being Misses Wraight, Walker, Watson and Wright, and Messrs A.J. Sheat, K.W. Macpherson, K. Johnston, E. Chatterton and Alick Macpherson.
The play was well received by the large audience and was well staged.
The participants had memorised their parts to perfection, and not once were the services of the prompter required.
The whole programme was good, and the audience went away at the close more than satisfied.
At the conclusion of the concert, Mr C.A. Wright, chairman of the Hall Committee, thanked the performers for their splendid assistance in providing such a fine programme.
He also thanked the audience for their support in such a worthy object as the building of a new hall.
The large attendance again emphasised the need of a new and larger building.
After the concert the performers were the guests of the Hall Committee to supper”.
A railway accident followed a social held in the hall in August 1928 [106].
A car with three occupants was hit by the night express train as it crossed the track between the hotel and the domain. John Walker was killed and two women were seriously injured.
A further legal requirement confronted the Ellesmere Council when it was found that it was necessary to take a poll to obtain sanction of the ratepayers in the hall district to the raising of a loan.
The Hall Committee was hopeful of being able to obtain the ratepayers' sanction by petition instead of by poll [107].
After the Selwyn Council approved the tender for the new hall, the Committee of the old hall still had a few tasks to complete.
They were given permission to dispose of the old hall [108].
They arranged the laying of the foundation stone [109,110] of the new hall which was completed in the presence of a very large gathering of residents on a beautifully fine day, Friday, April 26, 1929.
Mr C. A. Wright, chairman of the Hall and Library Board, presided at the function and briefly introduced Samuel Sherrard, a former resident of the district for many years and long-term chairman of the Board, who, having been presented with a silver trowel by the builder (Mr Francis) declared the stone well and truly laid.
Mr Sherrard spoke interestingly upon the history of the old hall building and thanked the Board for the honour it had done him.
Not to forget that afternoon tea was dispensed by the ladies, assisted by the members of the Board, in the old hall building.
On the 6th September 1929 tenders were called for sale for removal of the old hall which was to be removed within 6 weeks from acceptance of the tender [111,112,113].
According to the advertisement in the Ellesmere Guardian, tenders were to close by October 5 and September 28th by the Press, presumably because of the slowness of the mail delivery from Christchurch.
C.A. Wright became Chairman of the “new” Hall and Library Board when he and his wife opened the new hall on 3rd October 1929, as it was mentioned at the opening that the Hall and Library Board would not "die" for another six months [114].
Samuel Sherrard of Sumner, who was chairman of the old Dunsandel Hall Committee for over eighteen years, and who laid the foundation stone of the new hall in April, said that about 25 years previously a proposal had been made to enlarge the old hall, but the residents failed to subscribe the money required.
If they had done so, the new hall would probably not have been built [115] and people would not be meeting to celebrate the opening of such a splendid hall.
Date1920-1929SourcePapers PastLocationDunsandel
DescriptionIt is interesting to speculate that the success of the evening socials had any bearing on the attendance at the AGM [84], held in May 1920, which exceeded that which had been present for some years. It was decided to continue the winter evening socials, and the committee was given power to act with regard to a new lighting system for the buildings.
By June three socials had been held with a similar format to previous years [85].
The correspondent’s comment on the July social [86] was that “These socials are becoming very popular with the people of Dunsandel, as the increasing attendances show”.
In May 1921, the socials were even more popular with a record attendance at the first one [87] and a successful gathering for the second [88].
This trend continued through to September [89] and at the record attendance at the final social for 1921 Mabel Stainger again won the euchre [90].
A hard-up social was held in the hall in April 1922 [91] although it is not clear who organised the event.
According to the correspondent there were a good number of young people present, but the hard-up costumes were few and far between although some caused a good deal of amusement.
Mr C. Chatterton, the M.C., was a very good secretary.
The music was supplied by Miss C. Chappell and Mr W. C. Chappell.
The prizes for the most original hard-up costumes were won by Mrs Noble (ladies) and Mr Toon (gents).
The first social [92] for 1922 was held in May and was “not very largely attended” but the reporter speculated that “As it becomes more widely known that these socials have resumed the attendance will no doubt increase”, as did happen with the second one [93].
Mabel Stainger again won the euchre at the August social [94].
The Hall and Library Committee slipped in an extra evening social in September [95] as the evening was vacant.
This time a team from Selwyn and Dunsandel played each other.
After some good games, Selwyn proved the winners by 81 games to 72 games.
The 1923 AGM was unusual in that it was held in April rather than May [96].
There was little to report other than that the socials were to continue in 1923.
The September social [97] in which Selwyn and the Dunsandel districts played cards against each other, was the final. Selwyn proved victors by 45 points to 28.
The reporter summed it up in the last two sentences.
“The socials have been a great success, and the funds have benefited considerably.
The committee’s best thanks are due to the ladies and gentlemen who so generously assisted with the music from time to time.”
For many years reports of the inadequacy of the hall had appeared in the newspapers.
By 1926 there was serious consideration of the matter.
One problem was that the township of Dunsandel was split into two counties at the railway line and while a new hall was not likely to be built on the railway line, those contributing to the new hall would come from two counties.
In September 1926 the Dunsandel Hall and Library Committee explained its situation in a letter to the Selwyn County Council asking if the council would take over control of the hall and library [98].
The Selwyn Council passed the following letter to the Ellesmere Council to see if they had any objection to the proposal, if a three-fifths majority of people in the special rating area were in favour.
They had no objection [99].
“The reasons for asking this are as follows:— The present hall has served its day and now requires replacing, as it is unsafe. The section of land it is built upon is vested in the Crown and is too small for the hall purposes, and it is deemed advisable to purchase a piece of land on the opposite side of the road on which to build, also retain the present reserve for a parking place for cars.
The question of finances is one that the present committee cannot deal with, as it would be necessary to raise some money by way of loan to supplement that which is in hand to build, the new hall.
We, suggest that the present reserve be vested in your council and the old hall sold for removal and that another section of land be purchased on the opposite side of the road on which to build the new hall, and that a special rating area be formed of parts of the Selwyn and Ellesmere counties, over which a special rate be levied for the security for the necessary loan.
Also that the council take the necessary steps to raise a loan sufficient for the purpose.
The council could then appoint a local committee to manage the hall, etc., all receipts, and accounts in connexion therewith to be forwarded to the Council.”
In early March 1927 a public meeting was called [100]
“(1) To nominate a number of residents to act as a Hall and Library Board;
(2) to discuss the question of defining a rating area, the striking of a rate (if necessary), and the raising of a loan for the purpose of building a new Town Hall”.
By May in the same year the Ellesmere Council received a petition saying that 37 out of 44 ratepayers in their area had agreed to support the new hall [101].
Once the decision to build a new hall was made the committee of the old hall started fund raising using the old hall.
Vigorous ticket sales by the chairman (Mr C. A. Wright), secretary (Mr H. A. Brown) and others ensured that the hall was filled for a concert given by the Commercial Travellers' party, from Christchurch [102,103].
The programme was first-class and every item was thoroughly enjoyed and approximately £20 was raised.
Another concert was held in January 1928 [104] and a fine musical programme and a play was promised. This drew a crowded house [105].
“The first part of the programme was given by the Misses G. Brooks, Cunningham, D. Wright, Wraight and Messrs McGrath and McKivett, the accompanists being Mrs McGrath, and Miss Cunningham”.
The second half of the programme was a play, those taking part being Misses Wraight, Walker, Watson and Wright, and Messrs A.J. Sheat, K.W. Macpherson, K. Johnston, E. Chatterton and Alick Macpherson.
The play was well received by the large audience and was well staged.
The participants had memorised their parts to perfection, and not once were the services of the prompter required.
The whole programme was good, and the audience went away at the close more than satisfied.
At the conclusion of the concert, Mr C.A. Wright, chairman of the Hall Committee, thanked the performers for their splendid assistance in providing such a fine programme.
He also thanked the audience for their support in such a worthy object as the building of a new hall.
The large attendance again emphasised the need of a new and larger building.
After the concert the performers were the guests of the Hall Committee to supper”.
A railway accident followed a social held in the hall in August 1928 [106].
A car with three occupants was hit by the night express train as it crossed the track between the hotel and the domain. John Walker was killed and two women were seriously injured.
A further legal requirement confronted the Ellesmere Council when it was found that it was necessary to take a poll to obtain sanction of the ratepayers in the hall district to the raising of a loan.
The Hall Committee was hopeful of being able to obtain the ratepayers' sanction by petition instead of by poll [107].
After the Selwyn Council approved the tender for the new hall, the Committee of the old hall still had a few tasks to complete.
They were given permission to dispose of the old hall [108].
They arranged the laying of the foundation stone [109,110] of the new hall which was completed in the presence of a very large gathering of residents on a beautifully fine day, Friday, April 26, 1929.
Mr C. A. Wright, chairman of the Hall and Library Board, presided at the function and briefly introduced Samuel Sherrard, a former resident of the district for many years and long-term chairman of the Board, who, having been presented with a silver trowel by the builder (Mr Francis) declared the stone well and truly laid.
Mr Sherrard spoke interestingly upon the history of the old hall building and thanked the Board for the honour it had done him.
Not to forget that afternoon tea was dispensed by the ladies, assisted by the members of the Board, in the old hall building.
On the 6th September 1929 tenders were called for sale for removal of the old hall which was to be removed within 6 weeks from acceptance of the tender [111,112,113].
According to the advertisement in the Ellesmere Guardian, tenders were to close by October 5 and September 28th by the Press, presumably because of the slowness of the mail delivery from Christchurch.
C.A. Wright became Chairman of the “new” Hall and Library Board when he and his wife opened the new hall on 3rd October 1929, as it was mentioned at the opening that the Hall and Library Board would not "die" for another six months [114].
Samuel Sherrard of Sumner, who was chairman of the old Dunsandel Hall Committee for over eighteen years, and who laid the foundation stone of the new hall in April, said that about 25 years previously a proposal had been made to enlarge the old hall, but the residents failed to subscribe the money required.
If they had done so, the new hall would probably not have been built [115] and people would not be meeting to celebrate the opening of such a splendid hall.
Date1920-1929SourcePapers PastLocationDunsandelConnections
Attribution
Researched ByMike NoonanWritten ByMike Noonan
Written ByMike NoonanClick on the image to add
a tag or press ESC to cancel
a tag or press ESC to cancel
loading google map....
Care of the First Dunsandel Hall/Library 1920-1929 Part 5 (1920-1929). Selwyn Stories, accessed 29/05/2026, https://selwynstories.selwynlibraries.co.nz/nodes/view/5547