GERALDINE.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1979, 28 June 1880, Page 3

GERALDINE.

Despite the hard times Geraldine can boast an accession of new buildings during the past twelve months which, considering its population, equals the progress made by other townships in the same period. As the town is approached from the railway, immediately adjoining the Oddfellows’ Hall an imposing structure of concrete, with pediment of stone, catches the eye. This is the new Masonic Hall, recently erected by the craft, and it reflects every credit on the Masons of Geraldine and its vicinity that Masonry has so substantial a temple in their midst. The building is 15 feet in the clear from floor to cornice, its area being 32 feet by 25 feet. Attached is an anteroom 25 feet by 15 feet. The appointments are very complete. The sacred Book of the Law is a magnificent volume, and was presented to the Lodge by Mr 0. G. Tripp, of Orari. It is satisfactory to state that Masonry is in a flourishing condition in tins district, the Lodge roll number ing between fifty and sixty names. A little further on is a large brick building, at least 100 feet deep. This is the new business premises of Messrs Mendelsohn, and possesses every modern improvement. Compared to it, the old corrugated iron store which stands alongside and till lately did duty as the place of business of the firm, looks dwarfed indeed. On turning the bank corner a building, which is a small counterpart of the well known “Tattersall’s,” arrests attention. This is a horse repository and auction mart, erected for Messrs J. Mundell and 00. It possesses the well known dome roof, covered with bent corrugated iron. Its details have been well carried out. Nor is this the only accommodation of the kind, for opposite to the well known Rolleston Hotel a neat and commodious auction and sale room, with ample stock yards, have been built by Messrs T. Corbett and Co,, who need no introduction, as travellers from the Waitaki to Dunedin in the coaching days will remember the coach as tooled by that most obliging of Jehus, Tom Corbett. He it is who, having resigned the ribbons for the rostrum, will in future deal with horses in a different manner to his old habit. One old landmark in the town has disappeared, and given place to a truly handsome building. The old Geraldine Hotel, with its low ceilings and smoke begrimed walls, has become a thing of the past : and its commodious successor boasts twenty-five bedrooms, beside private rooms, bar and bar parlor, commercial and dining rooms, these latter each about 23 ft. and convertible into one large room if required. This has led to emulation on the part of the proprietor of the Crown Hotel, who has added four magnificent rooms to his house, with private apartments en suite, besides entrusting the painting and re-decoration of the whole to Messrs Cooper and Gapes, of Temuka. Some few smaller buildings have been erected by private owners, and when the tide of returning prosperity sets_ in, ample provision will be found made for it in this rising South Canterbury township.