FRIENDLY SOCIETIES' HALL, CATLINS RIVER.

Clutha Leader, Volume IV, Issue 169, 5 October 1877, Page 6

FRIENDLY SOCIETIES' HALL, CATLINS RIVER.

The opening* of the above hall was celebrated on Friday evening last by a ball. The hall, which adjoins Messrs Dabinett and Young*'s store, is a compact though rather unpretentious build - ing-, about 60ft. by. 80ft-., including* a room at the back, which came in useful on the late occasion as a refreshment room.' Should it be intended to often make use of the building* in like manner, we would- suggest the advisability of adding* a couple of ante-rooms, as considerable inconvenience must have been experienced on Friday last* through the' lack of adequate accommodation. As a slight misconception appears to exist among a few of those who took shares in the. hall, we mny here mention that the main purpose the Committee have always had in view was to make use of it as a school, the present one being by no m-^ans ample for the master's residence alone, and it was on this account that fully two-thirds 'of the subscribers were induced to give their support. The site also has been judiciously chosen for its central situation', and appears to give very -general satisfaction. On the late occasion the hall was very tastefully decorated with flags, ferns, and' other evergreens, the former being kindly lent "by Capt. Hayward, and the artistic skill "displayed in their arrangement, which well deserves recognition, being supplied by one or two of the employes at, Messrs Andrew, Dickson, -and Cos. •mill, from which source also was drawn the music! After ah appropriate address by. Captain Andrew,' President, of Friendly Societies' Hall Company, -the hall was -declared formally opened, and dancing was at ; once commenced, iand; intermixed vvith 'songs, recitations, -fee., was continued with spirit uh'tir daylight, did appear,' Including children,, of .whom 'there were ia goodly show, the nu hi ber present was about ! 'lso,'and .the success* of "bhe ball, both -socially and. 'financially, was complete ;' the enjovmeht being aided in no. slight degree by the ani mated example jind' untiring exertions' , 'of 'the President. We must not, omit to mention 'that grfeat credit is , dhe'a numbdr of the. residents' for. the liberality * displayed!. ih : supplying the., whole ofthe refreshments free of charge.