HARIHARI EN FETE

Hokitika Guardian, 22 June 1927, Page 1

HARIHARI EN FETE

OPENING OF NEAV HALL

The new hall erected by the settlers at 11a rill ari was opened oil Monday night under most favorable auspices. There was splendid weather for the occasion and the settlers gathered from far and near. Motor ears went from Kokatahi and Koiterangi in. the north to AA'eheka in the south, and every intervening centre was represented. It was in point of fact one of the best district representative gatherings that could he got together. The occasion was well worth it. The settlers hy their enterprise and courage have provided a very line hall. The main building is 72ft. x 40ft. with lean-tos on both sides. The floor space of the main building is 60ft. x 40ft. and there is a neat little stage 12ft. deep, with proscenium and side dressing rooms. The attached rooms at the side of the main hall provide on one side for a library, ladies’ room and creche. On the other side provision is made for a gents’ dressing room, long supper re ni and a. kitchenette, well appointed for the special service required in that quarter. Ihe hall, whieh is now almost completed is costing, under the contract and extras, some £859. and is a very substantial building in every w n v.

There was an attendance of about 34 ) people for the opening oeremon.v. u hirh was performed by Air T. E. A'. Seddon. M.P ~ on Alondav night. Boss' Orchestra was present from Hokitika whieh town also sent a. quota of visitors to assist at the- fu.netion. Air P’-'ler Ilaiiseu Juiir. was the Chairman for the evening and introduced the various speakers. He referred to the cost, of the building, and the advantages to lie derived from it. Tt was a community hall and should serve an excellent purpose for the district. Afr Seddon said it was an honour and a pleasure to he present with them for the festive occasion, and lie congratulated all concerned in the enterprise shown. He recalled memories of llarihari as lie first knew it, and remarked on (lie strides of ]> regress made in the interim. He wins glad to D .ii-ii they wore providing for a library " om. and lie hoped they would make lull use ol it. .Afr Seddon had much pleasure in declaring the hall opened, and trusted it would prove cl great community value to the district. Cheers and the singing of the N'ationai Anthem marked the opening ceremony.

Other s]Ksikers included Mr .1. A. Alurdoch (County Chairman). AY. Saarle, AA'. 11. Chinn and AA’. Jeffries (Alembers of the County Council), and Mr AY. Thiele (Chairman of the In-ter-AYanganni Dairy Factory), who trihuted the Hall Committee for its good work and the persistence with which the project was brought to pass, specially mentioning Mrs Berry (the Secretary). and .Air J. McKay (the Chairman). Mr Chinn, in the course of his remarks suggested that the hall amongst other things should be used for humanitarian purposes, and in that connection hoped the district would promote an annual benefit for the AA.estland Hospital as was being done in other centres now. .Air Jeffries supported the suggestion very cordially, pointing out the need there was for help of the nature referred to in order to avoid raising the rates. Dancing was continued with great vigor throughout the evening, and lasted far into the night. Excellent music was provided, and the floor was found to lie in splendid trim for its fir.s’t use. During the proceedings several songs were sung and greatly enjoyed, the whole evening being marked ’by much cordiality. A sit down supper was served in the supper room, where an energetic committee of ladies supplied a. generous food service. There was much work entailed in this department, hut if: was undertaken in a hearty spirit, and all the visitors "ere made welcome and very much at home. The opening was voted a very great success, being one of the most successful and largest gatherings of its kind yet held on the Flat. All connected with the management are certainly to he congratulated at the smooth manner in which the arrangements ran, and the very .pronounced success which was achieved.