Selwyn_Times: April 12, 2023

Selwyn Times Wednesday April 12 2023
16
NEWS
Latest Canterbury news at starnews.co.nz
PROUD: Springston South
Soldiers’ Memorial Hall
centenary committee
members Grant Gillatt (left,
obscured), Marty McLeod,
Lynette Harris, Sue Hayes,
chair Ewart Harris, Arnie
Hayes, Tony Ryan and Murray
Collins.
Inset – This brass plaque
remains at the hall today
after being unveiled in 1921.
‘Fine hall’ in honour of soldiers turns 100
• By Susan Sandys
THE SPRINGSTON South
Soldiers’ Memorial Hall remains
the pride of its community more
than 100 years after opening.
Members of its committee are
preparing to commemorate the
hall’s centenary over the weekend,
ahead of Anzac Day later
this month.
Chair Mike Glover said former
and current residents were looking
forward to marking the important
milestone, for a building
that had a long history of being a
hub in the area.
“Being a soldiers’ memorial
hall, a strong aspect of the celebrations
will be in honouring
the local people who served in
the world wars,” Glover said.
The hall opened in 1921, but
the centenary is being held this
year after plans for 2021, then
2022, were derailed by Covid-19.
Old newspaper articles accessed
via Papers Past reveal there was “a
very large gathering of residents
and visitors” at the opening of the
hall on April 21, 1921.
A Press reporter said the
ceremony was performed by Mr
R A Chaffey, who “congratulated
the people of the district on
putting up such a fine hall to the
memory of those who had fought
for their country, and urged
that they should see to it that
any returned maimed soldier or
any in ill-health should want for
nothing.”
The Ellesmere Guardian reported
on one of the first events
at the hall, a special service
in memory of three former
Springston South School pupils
who sacrificed their lives in
World War 1.
Mr H Holland of Christchurch
attended to unveil a brass tablet,
in honour of Robert Chapman,
Thomas Hutchison and James
Page. He extended his sympathies
to the parents present, and
gave a “stirring address,” said the
correspondent.
“He stated that he knew what
it was to have lost a boy, he having
lost one in the great fight for
freedom, and therefore he could
tenderly sympathise with the
parents of the fallen ones.”
Later that same month, in
May, it was a happier occasion
when the bachelors of Springston
South staged their annual ball.
“The floor was taxed to its utmost,
and dancing was indulged
in until the early hours of the
morning to the excellent music
of Mr H Terry,” reported the
Ellesmere Guardian.
Later that year, a correspondent
for the newspaper was impressed
that, “with the exception
of a few pounds,” the hall was
free from debt.
“When it is remembered that
Springston South is but a small
district, and that their hall cost
1200 pounds, this achievement reflects
great credit on the residents
and shows they must have worked
well together and put plenty of
enthusiasm into the undertaking,”
the correspondent said.
Centennial celebrations will
begin with a meet and greet on
April 21 at 7pm. This will be
followed by dance and supper on
the evening of April 22, where
local five-piece dance band Algal
Bloom will play music from
the last 100 years. The official
centenial commemoration
will be April 23 at 1pm with a
dedication to fallen and returned
soldiers and flag raising, followed
by an opportunity to view
historical displays.
• Anyone wanting
to attend events at
the Springston South
Soldiers’ Memorial Hall
centenary weekend April
21-23 must register. See
springstonsouthhall.weebly.
com or contact Lynette
Harris 347-6626.
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