MINISTER OPENS DOBSON HALL

Grey River Argus, 4 October 1948, Page 2

MINISTER OPENS DOBSON HALL

Project Begun •Four Years Ago

Four years ago the citizens of Dobson decided to build their own hall, and on Saturday the building, the result of voluntary labour was officially opened by the Minister of Mines (Hon. A. McLagan). The Mayor (Mr W. Gutherlet) presided, and others present were the Hon. Miss Mary Anderson, Mr J. B. Kent, M.P., for Westland, the Under-Secretary of Mines (Mr Bennie), the manager of the Dobson mine (Mr J. Quinn), and the chairman of the building committee (Mr C. McSoorran). An apology was received from the Prime Minister (Rt. Hon. P. Fraser), and Mrs K. O’Brien, widow of the late Mr James O’Brien. The Prime Minister extended his congratulations on tite completion of the task, and expressed the wish that the com’munity would long reap the benefits of the burnt.ng The Mayor said it was fitting that the Minister 01 Mines should perform the opening ceremony, as he had been for many vears a resident of Brunner, and had shared their trials and tribulations through depressing years. He was one of those responsible for the prosperity of the mining districts today. YESTERDAY AND TO-DAY Mr McLagan said he welcomed the opportunity/ of renewing acquaintances of many years standing. He compared conditions in 1930, when, as a member of the local borough council, the biggest problem had been the provision of sufficient employment, to keep the bodies and souls of the mine workers and their families together, with those of to-day. Mr McLagan said that since -the Government became the largest mine owner, workers had been given security of employment, standard rates of pay, a seven-hour day, hostels for accommodation of single workers, and improved housing for married workers. He referred to plans being prepared for the provision of a hostel for the Brunner area, and to the provision of further housing under the State housing scheme, which had provided 12,700 new homes in the last year. rhe Minister added that one aspect in which his department was most interested was the provision of social amenities for the workers. He said .he new hall was a fine example ot /hat could be achieved by community effort together with Government assistance. He congratulated the district and those directly responsible for its achievement, and in declaring open the hall, said: May the Dobson Citizen’s Hall long continue to serve the i oquirements of the district and brighten the lives of those working therein. TRIBUTES PAID Mr C. McSporran, chairman of the Building Committee, said many difficulties had been encountered since the project had been mooted, but these had been overcome. He thanked the Government for the provision oi the main contribution, and Mr J. Quinn, who had prepared the plans and supervised the erection of the hall. He made special mention of the regular subscribers, and the many old age pensioners, who had made contributions. He added that Mr J. Smc-mon and the late Mr Charlie Deans, were also to be thanked lor having assisted in the erection of the hall. * , He said that the Dobson Women s Institute, which had raised a large part of the funds, had been promised the use of every facility provided by the building. Mr Bennie paid a tribute to those responsible for the building, which, he said, would remain as a monument to what could be achieved by mutual cooperation. He said the building was a credit to the men who had worked on lt- Mr Kent said he was particularly proud of the achievement as he had spent his first night in New Zealand in Brunner. He knew that more voluntary work was being done for the i.ovision of social amenities in Brunner than in any other district. liss Marv Anderson and Mr Quinn paid a tribute to the team spirit of cit.zenc. and congratulated them upon having achieved their objective. At the repast which followed, items were given by Miss V. Bailey, Mrs T. Quinn, and Mrs A. McGee (vocal solos), Mrs Best and Miss Grieves (piano duet, Mr R. Outram (violin solo) and Messrs W. Hutton and J. Laughton (vocal solos). Accompanists were Mrs Best. Miss Watson and Miss Grieves. A short dance completed a memorable occasion. THE HALL The semi-two-storeyed building, has a dance floor, 60 feet by 36 feet, with a dais 32 feet by 16 feet, a sunpe room 60 feet by 12 feet and a kitchen, complete with every convenience. Upstairs is a library room, a projection box for picture screening and a women’s institute room. The interior which is panel-finished, is provided with flourescent. lighting, concealed foot lights, and is constructed so as to p ovide fine acoustic qualities.