SOLDIERS’ HALL RE-OPENED

Hokitika Guardian, 22 May 1930, Page 3

SOLDIERS’ HALL RE-OPENED

GALA NIGHT

There was almost an overflowing, atceiiuance- at the fcoK.iers Hail last iiiguL mr the re-opemng lunciion 01 me omaigeu, jjii.mou.ouk,- .'.id wc-.i-.p-pomteU ouildiug. Lt was quire ag mi m.asioii. 'me new arrangement 01 1.. e ■nail was the theme of geileiul maiiiia-.-ui. I here is a very li'iifc .liipress.o.. routed at- tiie weli-f.it enirniioe, anti tiie hallway is also distinctive, ornamented as it is w.ih appropriate pieviues. The social rooms are all nun could lie desired, thing well oiiihtied with ail necessary requirements. - The carpeted la.iies' room specially furuisued, was much appreciated. The front committee room used for cards and smoking, was gas heated, and was a cosy quarter, pa.rons being entertained by the pictures oil the wall. The uallroom is now greatly enlarged, it was. befiagged for the occasion, and was gay with bunting, as well as brilliantly lit. The annexe taken into the main hall gives a very commodious hall, but large as»it was, it was taxed to the fullest last night, about HbO people in all being,present. Th» Black Hand Orchestra was on a raised platform at the top of the hall, and throughout the evening dispensed music which was received with marns of special delight, encores being numerous. .Mr H. T. Barry’s gift to the Soluiers Gluli is a very handsome ornament to the hall. It has an organlike appear mice, and the reproduction by Li. Parryphone is practically all that couk! be desired the records being very tuneful and pleasing. Mr Parry ’has added also a contrivance' ibf broadcasting speech, and with the crowded room and the hum of voices, this was ver.\ useful as a means of reaching every me present with very little vocal effort. Extra dances were also played by Mi Be Castro (piano) during tire evening uid enjoyed very much. The hall was distinctly fashionable rom every point of view. The ladies •vidently regarded the function as an mportant one, and there were numernis special frocks displayed for the rst time. The- ball-room scene was a uoving picturq: of colour and activity, nd the lilting music set all fee; loving, and all went merrily throughmt the night. For so large a numer of patrons the seating was inade-u-ate, but the intervals between the lances .were,;.-brief, and the orchestra uigmented by La Parryphone left few pare moments and none of them were hill. Air C. Bleach was in charge of die dan e programme, and his special [forts no doubt kept the proceedings 11 the very active motion referred to. There was'ii brief opening ceremony hortly after 10 o’clock, when Mr D. J. 'lvans, ‘President; of the Hokitika 3rai;ch of the Returned Soldiers’ Asocia.tion, addressed the assemblage. Mr Evans referred to the very gen•rous help given on all sides in con.lection with the building, fee said it

.as seven years almost since the Branch acquired the building on easy c-rins. From time to time the oh .istoric structure had been improved, nd they now saw it completed. Hi iianked those who had helped in varjus ways. The Branch was indebted o the High School. Board for the site nd a favourable lease; to the Bor ugh Council for concessions regarding cites; to the ladies and gentlemen win .ad taken up debentures to enable the -adding scheme to be completed; to lie ladies’ committee who had never

zed -in their work of doing, good foi lie soldiers’ organisation; and to All ,’arry for his generous musical gift. Past hut not least, Air Evans paid a ribute to the builder, Air D. Stevenioii, senr., for the splendid manner in vhich the building had been re-model-led and conditioned, and for the •pcedy manner in which the work had been carried through. Air Evans then eelared the hall open, aiid trusted it would long serve a useful purpose for the benefit of the ex-servicemen and the citizens generally. Following the opening ceremony, At: D. Stevenson, jump, took a flashlight photograph of the assemblage, an event which created not a little diversion and amusement.

Immediately after, supper was served and the ladies’ committee, assisted by numerous young ladies present, had their hands full for fully two hours, dome six sittings were necessary to 'ispose of the throng, hut everything massed off hitchless. The supper was served in the new social room, very commodious and pleasant quarters, being gas-heated, and the supper adjournment proved a cosy respite from all the stir and bustle of the ballroom. The ladies' committee certainly had a heavy task last night, but the organisation was very complete and patrons were loud in their praise of the adequacy of the service for •''such a throng of peoole. Mi - RoV Paterson, the Hon. Secretary attended to the innnv details peculiar to such a large and important function, and nothing «eemed to he wanting. The *vh<de evening passed off in a very nrenml ntniosnbere of complete f-rm, everv-' one being delighted what was a view memorable pothering rind n ve.w fitting onenin nr to Uie , ' r ' ,,T ’ fine building now provided for the towiti.