For the early citizens of Dundee one of the most popular recreational activities appears to have been horse racing which was held at Rangers Valley until the Dundee Plain course was set out.
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There were frequent advertisements for Stallions standing the season - the earliest horse ads of course had been for draught stallions, but on 5 September 1877 the Examiner ran this one:
'The Piebald Horse TARRAGON Will stand this season, at Mr J R Chappell's Dundee.
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Tarragon has won several races and is a splendid hack. He is pronounced by competent judges to be the best built horse in New England. Early application necessary, as only a limited number of mares will be taken. Secure paddocks but no responsibility. TERMS. Single mare...£1.10s
The local halls were very important social meeting places and Richard Hartmann of Othfresen provided the finance for Dundee's first public hall, erected in 1906.
At first, with no kitchen Mrs Stibbard at the nearby Commercial Hotel catered for Hall functions.'
The events held there were advertised in all the current newspapers - Glen Innes Guardian, Glen Innes Examiner and Deepwater Despatch.
The very musical members of the Bargen family usually provided the music for balls and the two main department stores in Glen Innes F Utz and Co and Kwong Sing and Co donated tickets.
Miss Stephenson made the journey from Glen Innes to give piano lessons in the hall and Travelling Shows were popular, sometimes even performing over two nights.
As that first hall became too small to accommodate the numbers of people wanting to attend functions, a new hall, on August Hartmann's land, was built by Jack McCarthy in 1922. He had built the houses on 'Ridgemount' and 'Killarney '.
Funds had to be found for the new building and Balls were popular events, with music from piano, violin, and cornet. £60 to £70 was able to be raised some nights.
Funds had to be found for the new building and Balls were popular events, with music from piano, violin, and cornet.
The Dundee Dandies Dancing troupe were also to the fore in fundraising.
Mrs William Sloman of 'Severn Vale' was one of the arrangers of the popular 'sets' as they were called, of costumed dancers.