Moutoa Hall Celebrates 25th Birthday

Chronicle (Levin), 13 December 1948, Page 3

Moutoa Hall Celebrates 25th Birthday

Many local residents "joined with the people of Moutoa in celebrat-v ing the 25th anniversary of " the opening of the Moutoa Hall ,last Tuesday evening. A musical programme provided by a Palmerston North eoncert party was- much enjoyed during the early part of' the evening. Prior to the serving of supper, Mr. M. Perreau, of Foxton, introduced Mr. W. H. »Smith, the first' president of the Moutoa Hall Committee, Mr. J. Newth, the present president, Mr. W. S. Carter,- of Palmerston North, who donated the land, and Mr. J. Linklater, of Palmerston North, who, as member for the district at the tirne, had officially opened the building, and Mr. S. W. Barber, who has held the position as secretary of the hall committee for 25 years. (Mr. Newth expressed pleasure at seeing sd many present, especially mentioning several old settlers who had journeyed back to Moutoa to join in the celebrations. Mr. Smith then recalled old times in a speech of interest to alL Mr. Carter produc.ed the. names of .the early settlers as far back as 80 years ago, . and claimed that he had been able tp bring .toi ,the gathering one who had made the journe^ from. Foxton to Moutoa- by bullock dray just over 81 . years ago. She was Mrs. As'hby,, of Palmerston North, who was later called on to cut the, anniversary cake arid was greeted. with hearty applause. Mr. linklater said that he0 retained happy memories of the opening ceremony and ,of themany jolly functions held in the hall during the past 25'' years. He wislied the: people of Moutoa a period of even greater prosperity in the yeafs to come. Mr. Barber stated that the committee had had its lean years and, as secretary, he could reeount many ups and downs, but he paid tribute to the energy and interest of the various committees with whom 'he had worked,. and to the splen'did co-operation of the women of the district. Mr. Barber was later made a" presentation of a smokers' stand as a mark of appreciation for 25 years' untiring service. Dancing to a late hour completed a -very successful funetion.