NETHERTON HALL.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVI, Issue 4916, 16 December 1925, Page 3

NETHERTON HALL.

A MUCH-MOVED BUILDING.

REORGANISATION OF SOCIETY.

On April 18, 1908, the settlers of Netherton united for the purpose of providing a public hall for the district. Debentures were disposed of, and four months later a hall was opened on a site near the school donated for the purpose by •Mr J. Morrispn.

During the flood and gale of April, 1910; the hall, w,as almost blown over and the foundations' were shifted. Much discussion ensued as to whether the building should be repaired or shifted, and finally it was agreed that it should be shifted to the present site, which was donated by Mr A. Fisher. On August 6, 1910, the present hall was opened. The administration was in the hands< of a committee elected every three years.

A section om the main Awaiti Road near the school has been purchased, and an arrangement is; to be entered into with the Public Works Department whereby it wquld be relieved of alt responsibility for the removal of the building for a certain sum to be fixed.

During the course of the: negotiations it became evident that it would, be advisable for the- association to become an incorporated society, so that it could enter 1 into contracts dr borrow money without the members of the commitfee having to become jointly and severally liable. To that end an extraordinary general meeting of debenture-holders was held on Tuesday evening. Mr R. H. Heappey presided. The meeting was very late in com-, mencing, as under thei rules of the (society it war, necessary to have onethird of the debenture-holders present to form /a quorum, and motor-cars had to be sent round the district to collect three debenture-holders to make up the l number required.

Some of tlie other roles were equally as binding, and thus the smooth and expeditious working of the association was difficult.

Before becoming an incorporated society it was .therefore advisable to amend the rules, and that was the first business taken at the meeting. Draft rules were submitted by Mr C. N. lO’Neill and adopted by the meeting without discussion, and Mr O’Nieill was. instructed to proceed with the registration of the association under the Incorporated Societies Act. Originally there were two 'trustees, Messrs, S. J. Laughlin and S. Fisher. Some time ago Mr Fisher resigned* and -it was suggested .that the present would be a favourable opportunity to fill the vacancy.

On the suggestion of the chairman it waS’ decided, to increase the number to .three, and Messrs S. J. Laughlin, J. A. Reid, and E. A. Chester were chosen by ballot. In response to a question the secretary, Mr T. Vowles, announced that the association had a credit balance in, hand of almost £7O. There were no liabilities, and' the assets were the site, hall, fittings, and piano, carrying an insurance cover of £7OO. , Under the new rules the election of officers was then proceeded with. Mr R. H. Heappey was re-elected president, Mr C. Stembridge vice-presjdent, and Mr T. Vowles secretary and treasurer.

The number of the committee was flxied at twelve, with the officers, excepting the trustees, ex-officio, and the following were appointed: Messrs P. Harold, W. Richmond, C. Potter, J. Young, F. Johnson, J. Mbrrfeon, senr., B. Coldicut't, W. Halligan, and W. Morrison. >

The Bank of New Zealand was appointed the society’s bankers, and Mr. C. N- O’Neill .the legal advisor. Prior to the departure of the Paeroa debenture holders Mr D. Leach extended an offer of assistance in any way possible by the debenture-holders and business men of Paeroa. Mr de Castro suggested that opppr-. tunity should be taken of the presence of so many Paeroa members to take up a subscription to help defray the cost of removing the hall. , The secretary that lie had recently canvassed Paeroa, and many bonds had been .taken up. Further donations would' be welcomed.