THE FORESTERS’ HALL, PORT CHALMERS.

Evening Star, Issue 4087, 1 April 1876, Page 2

THE FORESTERS’ HALL, PORT CHALMERS.

The Port Chalmers branch ef the A. O. Foresters, which has proved to bo one of the most successful and profitable branches of the order in New Zealand, determined to erect a suitable building in which not only eould’ their mfeetings’be held but sufficient' sommodation for the purposes of public entertain* meats, fee., be provided; and, with these objects in v : ew, the Courtßobin Hood No. 3,991 decided upon building the present edifice, which was dwdgnmi and .erected under-the .superintendence of Mr la . Sanders. The foundation-stone was laid* wit a Masonic honors on the 9th of November last. The building, as completed, presents, a very. sub-, stantial and- handsome appearance. It is huiltthrougbout of Port' Chainlets bluestone, fabed!with Oamnru : stone. The main hall is’SOft by : fl »ft, with a stage lift deep for the present. 'lt is the intention of the Court to construct retiring': rooms at the back; The interior of the Hall is wellfitted up, being dado-lined to a height of 4ft 6in, and thence to the coiling finished bff in planter work,' surmounted by air'ornamental cornice, the ceiling being of matched and beaded white pine, stained and' varnished. Three i large; sun-lights give; an ample light to the .Hall, which is well ventilated, and can be kept to a proper temperature by means of two fireplaces. The room will accommodate fully persons with ease, and the requisite sittings for : that purpose have been provided. The work has been 'carried to' completion under Mr Sanders’s superintendence, by Messrs Bauohop and Company, the builders, whi'e the decorations were entrusted to Mr J. B. Taylor, and'the result has been most satisfactory to all concerned. Fort Chalmers can now boast of possessing a building thoroughly suitable for dramatic performances, concerts, or -other public entertainments. Last evening' the proceedings conneotei with the opening ofthe hall commenced with asoirde, to which tally 800 persons sat down, This was followed by a short address from the C.B. of Court Bqbin Hood (Bro. J, Menelnus), • who congratulated the xLemhers of the Court upon the success they had achieved in building the haß,? and believed he was correct in sayingthat it was" the first and only Foresters’ Hull that had been built in the Province. At present the Court numbered one hundred and thirty members. Among the Dunedin visitors we noticed the District officers, and a number of the officers and members of the Dnnbdin Courts. After the address, the musical part of the programme was gone through. A piano solo, by Mr Morrish, was followed by the chorus, "Foresteta Sound,", by the members of the Fort Chalmers Choral Union, and songs (cornin' and sentimental), given in good, style by Messrs" i Fullerton, Weir, Hare, Flettson, Stevens, Ibbotson/ Stuart, Do Mans, and others; whilr Messrs Dale add Golder favored the audience with two excellent recitations, and Mr Wignall, assisted by his pupils, played the '‘Harbor Mar.;h,” which had been' written for the occasion by M*D. A. De Mans; A . cornet duet by MrWignall and his pupils, a capital sailor’s hornpipe by Mr Haig, an amusing faroeby the Colored Orphans, and a glee by the members if the Choral Society were the features of .the second* part, and brought the enter tainment to a dose, '■]