SOLDIERS’ HALL

Hokitika Guardian, 21 May 1930, Page 3

SOLDIERS’ HALL

RE-OPENING TO-NIGHT,

The Soldiers’ Hall, considerably enlarged, will be re-opened to-night in the interests of the Hokitika Branch of tne Returned ;Soldiers’ Association, with a gala ball to mark the occasion, the funds being.earmarked for the _osts of .the building and its furnishing. The new hall is being greatly admired by those who have had an opportunity of inspecting it. It is situated in Sewell St., adjoining the government Buildings, and the added front of the enlarged hurtling is in line with public offices structure. Some particulars of the reorganised hall will ho doubt interest our readers. The main entrance is now from Sewell Street through an attractive portico with a concrete foundation. There is a- wide hall at the entrance off which are several rooms. On the left is the minor social hall or supper room.-. This is - a commodious room 24x38, well lit, and behind it is a very convenient outfitted kitchenette. The social hall is suitable for meetings, small parties or: dances, birthday celebrations, or wedding breakfasts, and will be used by the Soldiers’ Club for social gatherings of tfwi.nieinibers and friends and as' fi 1 -large clubroqm for rheetings. On . the right;pf the; main hall,; there. is: a--i piub: roorrt; ’ 15x-4, i carpeted,' and like : the.SdciM:: room • (gas heated; . Behind this is the gentlemen’s cloak room of sirpiliar dimensions,, , with all conveniences: Next is’a roomy ladies’‘cloak; fqrtrn appropriately furnished and ,which; lias a second entrance direct info the The ball-room has been enlarged very considerably and is now 78x42, with a first class floor. The orchestra has a raised band stand at the top of the hall, where also Mr H. T. Parry has erected at his personal cost, an organ-like la Parryphone for broadcasting music. There is also a loud speaker which can be used in connection with the mechanical instrument. La Parryphone is a very handsome addition to the appearance of the interior, and is a striking feature on entering the,, ball room.

It will be seen, from the pregoing that .tlm-jpew building bps,, very com- ,. ajnd ! inspected' the enlarged building praise the enterprise of the R.S.A. greatly. The, ..bjuildjngj ara’angQHientfyf were design eaj anti‘executed by Yfr'T). Steven-" spnj .tvbf*; has .carried, qui*.,,flie work with 'ifi'arked- - 'Hfoughi- no’ Srt'illv completed |/t date, tire little ‘ re-. ;'imuning t to be done* \sll tto,t affect* this ifdrtftfon-. |‘ri'h%%firrttlngYaud decoration.is being Carried-out |Hv Air ?Theq, r Lvn|h andjstaff. The,ball to an boutstanding ,’ffnnction'C The. doors I ', will open at 8 o’clock, and for half an hour there will be a recital on la Parryphone. At 8.30 thc-hall will .begin with i grand march,"'the music being supplied by the Black Hand orchestra, under the leadership of/Mr. A. Lawn. At 10.15 there will be f a IslfoYt opening ceremorty, and at 10.30 a flash light pbotgraph. of the assembnge will be taken. The ladies’ committee, which as usual is doing all in its power to ;niake:Afg|;|!nction/ serve supper thereafter in relays of 60 in tlirtiSiiplfe'r: room, - -: r