AUCKLAND'S NEW TOWN HALL.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1313, 16 December 1911, Page 14

AUCKLAND'S NEW TOWN HALL.

THE OPENING CEREMONY. SPEECH BY THE GOVERNOR. (By Telegraph—Proas Association,! Auckland, BcceinW l. r >. Tho ceremony of opening Auckland's new Town Hall, which was performed by the Governor yesterday, was a brilliant ono. Tho event was perhaps (he, most important of recent ceremonies in Ihe municipal history of this fasl-growing city, and was (iclebrated with a jtislly dignified ceremonial. The huge public hall in l.ho building, where tho ceremony wan held, can accommodate ,'iOOO persons, but it was all too small to hold those who would have attended had the spaco been greater. Tho city authorities issued invitations lo as many people as completely filled llm hall. Tho cilv's rejoicing was shared by other (owns of New Zealand, fur every municipality sent its goodwill, and Mm Mayors of Christchurch and I'almornloii North wcro present at tho ceremony. The Governor performed (ho ceremony of opening tho building, nnd delivered a firm speech declaring Ihe hall available fur public service. Tho Governor's ollice and rank made him the. principal liguro of tho ceremony, but it was a great day fur (lie Mayor of the city (Mr. ('. .1. I'arr), in whoso term of oGico tho completion of the Town nail has fallen; for Jlr. Arthur M. Myers, M.P., who as Mayor laid the foundation stone of (he building, and who contributed the clock for its lower; and for Mr. Henry lirett, (ho donor of (ho organ, which is ono of tho principal features of the hall. Tho first stage in the ceremony was tho presentation of a silver key to (he Governor, who arrived at !l p.m., accompanied by Colonel llo'scawon, A.D.0., nnd Captain MacDougall, A.D.C. 110 was met at the door in Queen Street, near (ho apex of the building, tho main entrance to the municipal offices, though not I Induct' entrance to tile hall, by the Mayor and Town Clerk, the City Engineer, and other officials of the city. After a fewwords of welcome from tho Mayor, bis Excellency received tho key from Mr. .1. J. Clark, one of the architects, 110 unlocked and opened the door, and on entering had presented to him (he members and officials of tho City Council and the contractors. Then a ceremonial procession was formed, headed by tin; Cierk of Works, the contractors, and tho architects. Then followed the chief officers of the corporation, members of (lie City Council, Town Clerk, and DeputyMayor (Mr. J. Conrt). Tho Mayor and his Excellency followed. As the procession reached tho hall, the National Anthem burst forth from the magnificent organ, the first public playing which was thus heard by somo 3000 people. Tho Mayor was the first speaker and ho was followed by the Governor. Lord Islington, in mentioning the prescnco of representatives of every local governing body in city and suburbs, said that those upon whom tho task devolvod of administering tho government of this city, had imposed on them great, and as timo proceeds, increasing responsibilities. Under tho machinery of the constitution tho work of tho Municipal Service stood second to none in all that made for the first essentials in; the social and .industrial life' of great communities. (Applause.) Souvenirs wore presontcd to Mr. Brett, who presented the organ to tho city, and Mr. Myers who gave ' the clock. Jowcls of office were then handed to oil surviving ex-Mayors of the city, present. A hearty vote of thanks to the Governor ooncluded the ceremony. An organ recital was given last evening on the grand organ by Mr. Maughan Barnett, Wellington city organist. This'afternoon a reception was tendered the visiting Mayors and chairman , of local bodies by tho Mayor and Mayoress. Mr, Henry Brett stated yesterday that ho would liko to so© an endeavour made to (wtabliuli in tho Dominion musical

festivals such a.s are held in Birmingham, lam'ils, and othor famous English centres. 110 Ihonght festivals such as this-'o might l)ii given alternately in Auckland and Wellington. For a national festival such !ls ho proposed tho finest orche.s-tr.il players would require to be got together from all jxirU of New Zealand.