A muster of dedicated members met in the Wakefield Library on Tuesday 28th May for the Society’s AGM and to listen to Ray Quinney give an eye-witness account of the destruction of the Motupiko store by fire in 1969.
The store began as a branch of A.J.Palmer’s store at Foxhill. The land was bought from William Quinney in 1883. In 1914, A. Hodgson and Sons bought the store as a natural extension of their well-established Wakefield business. It was situated a little south of the old hall (now a remodelled comfortable family home.) After 40 years it was sold to E.H. Watts and burnt down in the winter of 1969. A cracked brick chimney (see photo) is thought to have been the cause.
This slightly out-of-focus shot nevertheless gives a good idea of the Motupiko store which could have been put to many interesting uses today.
The store was never rebuilt. People were already finding it easier in 1969 to drive further afield for their groceries and the road over Spooner’s Range was improving all the time. Sadly, like the store at Foxhill, a small country store (which today would be quite a novelty) was just an uneconomic venture.
President Wayne Price thanks Roger after his talk on the Motupiko store.
AGM Sees Few Changes
Wayne Price stepped down from an interim presidential term and Roger Batt was elected in his place. Wayne offered to become vice-president. Jeanine Price was persuaded to continue in her role as secretary and Laurie Dale offered to continue his work as treasurer. Virginia Gray, Barbara Harris and Alexa Langford agreed to join the committee.
At the end of the meeting members enjoyed supper together.
MEETINGS FOR THE SECOND HALF OF 2013
These will be decided at a planning meeting on 14th June and the programme posted before meetings resume in July.
