1914
12 March 1914
Capertee.
(From Our Own Correspondent)
A meeting was held at the Kangaroo Flat Methodist Church on Saturday, at which it was decided to hold a tea meeting and picnic at an early date. Miss Stella Gallagher was appointed hon. sec. to the movement, which promises to be more successful than any previously held. An invitation is to be extended to our Federal and State members to be present1
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8 April 1914
CHURCH FESTIVAL AT KANGAROO FLAT.
Some weeks ago the residents of Kangaroo Flat, near Capertee - especially the Methodist section - decided to arrange for a picnic and concert in aid of the church funds. Several of the ladies formed themselves into a committee, tickets were sold freely, and a ready response characterised the appeals for gifts of kind. Saturday was the date selected, and it would have been hard to have selected a more delightful day for an outing of the kind. The ladies responsible for the success of the undertaking were: - Mesdames W. J. Galagher, K. Freestone, J. Barnaby, H. D. Howard, Chas. Galagher; Misses Bessie, Stella, and Nellie Galagher. The former acted as hon. secretary, while the latter distinguished herself as a ticket-seller. Among the gentlemen helpers were Messrs. J. Oliver, J. Romans, W. Caddis, Jas. Galagher, and Rupert Galagher. The latter two were in charge of the soft drinks, stall, and did good business. Mr. Romans solicited guesses for the bottle of peas, the prize for which was 2s 6d, and was won by Miss Campbell, who guessed 285; the correct number being 284.
The little church, which was erected over thirty years ago by the efforts of the late Mr. Galagher (father of Messrs. W. J. and Chas. Galagher), is rather pleasantly situated behind a row of fine pine trees, on a rise which fringes the nice open country which includes the Flat and Round Swamp areas. The building now stands in need of repairs, which will receive attention in the near future. Miss Bessie Galagher deserves commendation for the manner in which she organised and carried out the details connected with the function; in this compliment her fellow-workers share.
Ample booth accommodation had been provided, and in this the "first sitting" sang grace at 12.30. From that hour till well after two, the lady attendants were kept going, and during the afternoon there were quite 200 persons present. Both Messrs. Carr, M.P., and Dunn, M.L.A., had received invitations to be present. The former sent a letter of apology, owing to the House sitting on the previous night. During the afternoon Mr. Carr, accompanied by Mr. J. Lendster, J.P., arrived by motor from Lithgow, and met many of his constituents at that end of the electorate for the first time. The young people took to games, swinging, etc., while their seniors enjoyed social intercourse with each other.
At 4.30 o'clock tea was taken, and it was here that Mr. Carr took the opportunity of introducing himself more fully to his friends. Mr. Dan. Cooney, in introducing the member, assured Mr. Carr that they were pleased to have him there. Though they could not expect to see much of him, in view of the vast area included in the electorate, they read of him, and he (the speaker) believed the people interested had lost none of their confidence in him. (Hear, Hear.)
On rising, Mr. Carr was warmly received. He was very pleased to be with the people of that division. The majority of them he met for the first time, but he could assure them that their interests were none the less his concern. The electorate he represented was so extensive that it might truthfully be called a principality. It was almost impossible to meet the whole of the electors unless the member could live to be as old as Methuselah and represent the same electorate throughout that period. He believed he was among friends, and they could rely that so long as he remained their member he would endeavor to be their friend and do all he could to attend to any matters brought before him. They might read many things in the papers about him which were not complimentary but he asked to be taken in accordance with his conduct and actions generally. He trusted his actions in the past had met with their approval, and that he would remain their member for many years to come. (Hear, Hear.) He congratulated the ladies upon the success of the gathering, and hoped that when next he came he would be able to go into politics, and those matters which more closely affected them.
At 7 o'clock, the hour for commencing the concert, the church was crowded, while many others stood at the open windows. In the absence of Mr. W. J. Galagher; J.P., the Rev. L.H. Rolf, Rylstone, acted as chairman, and opened the proceedings with a verse of "All People that on Earth do Dwell," by the audience, and prayer. Miss Stella Galagher and her cousin, Mr. Rupert Galagher, played very acceptably an overture on the organ and violin, respectively. Mr. R. Northey was the first singer, and he was followed by Mrs. Luke, who gave an effective rendering of the song, "There Let Me Rest," and was equally tak ing in "Miller and Maid" later on. Mr. Eric Caxtine was applauded for his song, "Put Your Arms Around me, Honey," as well as for his mandolin solo in the second part. Miss Harris, who possesses a rather pleasing voice, won favor for her singing of "Poinsetta." Being recalled, she sang "When a Boy Says 'Will You' and a Girl says 'Yes.' " Her second part contributions were "You Can't Stop Me From Loving You,' and another song of the ragtime variety. Mr. J. H. Luke proved a popular singer of comics, finishing the evening with no fewer than four to his credit. Miss Bessie Galagher, the possessor of a rich, cultured contralto voice, was very much appreciated in her songs '"When the Caravan has Rested," "Roses," and "Nearer My God, to Thee," the latter in response to encore. To each, of these items Mr. Rupert Galagher played a violin obligato. The Rev. Mr. Rolf proved a big success in his recitations, "Sam's Letter," and "Browning's Description of Rubinstein's Piano Recital." Miss Ruby Davis gave a sympathetic rendering of "Bid Me to Love" and "There's a Girl in Savannah," for the latter of which she was recalled. Mr. Northey also contributed a couple of concertina solos during the evening. The reverend gentleman convoyed thanks to the performers and the audience, and congratulated all upon the success - socially and financially - of the effort. As he would soon be leaving for the Bellinger River, he took occasion to bid the audience farewell, and trusted that God's blessing would rest on them. The proceedings terminated shortly after nine by the singing of the National Anthem, the unanimous opinion being that it was the best time enjoyed at the Flat for many years.
Through the courtesy of Mr. Clarrie Howard, who owns one of the smartest sulky turnouts in the district, the writer was enabled to reach Capertee, a distance of nearly five miles, in ample time to catch the Lithgow train2
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1919
21 March 1919
CAPERTEE.
PICNIC AT KANGAROO FLAT.
The annual picnic in connection with the Kangaroo Flat Methodist Church, took place on Saturday. The function was favored with ideal weather, and a much larger number than usual assembled from all parts of the surrounding district, including Kandos and Rylstone. Two substantial meals were served during the day in a spacious booth erected near the church. The arrangements were in the capable hands of a committee of ladies consisting of Mesdames J. Elbourn, J. T. Franks, A. Dennis, J. Oliver, P. Barnaby, D. H. Howard, - McFarlane, and the Misses E. Russell, J. Dennis, N. Galagher, and G. Whalan. The way in which these ladies discharged their rather arduous duties reflected the greatest credit upon them. Much pleasure was derived from a number of picnic games in which the majority engaged during the afternoon. After the games a programme of sports, arranged by Messrs. J. Oliver, W. Whalan (handicappers), J. Elbourn (starter), R. Galagher, A. Dennis, and J. Nairn was carried out, with the following result: - Stepping 100 yards (ladies), Miss Lily Freestone, 1; Miss Ella Freestone, 2. Girls' race (12 to 16), Phemie Dennis, 1; Doris Whalan, 2; girls under 12, Lily Dennis, 1; Rita Whalan, 2; boys under 12, P. Core, 1; N. Evans, 2; youths and men's race, M. Dennis, 1; J. Davis, 2; egg and spoon race, J. Davis, 1; C. Galagher, 2; stepping 100 yards, Mr. J. Elbourn, 1; Roy Franks, 2.
At night a concert was held in the church, the programme consisting of a number of musical items, etc., and a lantern entertainment by Mr. Robert Harkness, formerly of the Chapman and Alexander mission. The pictures were exceedingly interesting, and greatly appreciated, especially as each was accompanied by a short lecturette. The vocal and musical items, which were splendidly rendered and frequently encored, were given by the following:- Mr. E. J. Lindsay (songs), Mr. J. Nairn (songs), Miss E. Galagher (song), Mr. R. Galagher (violin solo), Mr. Harkness (organ solo), and the Misses Beason (Ilford) song and recitation. The general picnic arrangements were in the capable hands of Miss Eilna Galagher, who discharged her duties to the general satisfaction. Other appreciated assistance was rendered by Messrs. D. Macintyre, J. Elbourn, R. Galagher, A. Galagher, J. Oliver, A. Franks, and Messrs. Sim Bros., of Brooklyn, who conveyed quite a number of picnickers from Capertee in their motor lorry. The church funds, it is expected, will benefit to the extent of about £203
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