PUBLIC HALL AT RAUMATI OPENED

Chronicle (Levin), 8 July 1947, Page 2

PUBLIC HALL AT RAUMATI OPENED

The first community hall to be built iTn the Paraparaumu district was officially opened at Raumati on Saturday afiernoon by Mr. J. J. Maher, M.P. The ceremony was supervised by Mr. J. G. Mulli'ns, chairman of the Raumati Beach Progressive Association, who was aecompanied by two members of the Hutt County Council, Messrs. H. J. Eatwell and A. Hardham. The hall was purchased in Petone and shifted in sections by a Raumati carrier to its present site, where it was rebuilt, furnished and deeorated by residents of the disrict. In order to purchase the hall, 12 residents agreed to become guarantors of a bank overdraft. The site on which it stands is the property of the Hutt County Council, which leased the area to the Raumati Beach Progressive Association u'nder its reserves development scheme. The levelling of the site was done by bulldozing contractors in the Paraparaumu district. Exclusive of the bulldozing, 1200 working hours were. spent on the job. Many of the fittings and decoraticns in the hall were donated, and skilled work, such as plastering and electrical installations necesary to c'ompiete the hall was done by tradesmen in the district with their own materials. Part of the cost of the hall was raised by the women of the district, who formed a communiiy club for that purpose. They also provided morning and afternoon tea to the workers for a period of four or five months. Mr. Mullins congratulated all who had taken part in building Ihe hall and detailed the history of its construction. Mr. Maher said that the hall — built by the people of the district by hard work, initiative and cooperaticn — was a tribute to all who had been associated with its construction. It was situated at one of the finest spots in New Zealand, and would serve the people of Raumati and Paraparaumu. Mr. Maher said that for many ! years he had been a strong advojcate of bringing people from ihe jciry back to the country. One could not expect people to shift from the ciries, however, unless there were the necessary social amenities in the country. All who had participated in building the hall were to be congratulated, he coneluded. A bazaar rnd dance were held in "he hall on Saturday to raise funds towards the cost of the buildi""' It is intended to call a public m-'6fing shor ly to form a community hall society to cater for the social needs of the district.