OPENING THE HALL

King Country Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 464, 11 May 1912, Page 5

OPENING THE HALL

A large crowd assembled at the hall to witness the opening ceremony, the native race being well represented. Mr W. D. Hattaway, chairman of directors requested Mr C. K. Wilson, member for the district, to perform the office. Mr Wilson, who was greeted with applause, said it afforded him extreme pleasure to take part in a function which evidenced such an amount of grit, determination, and energy on the part of the settlers. Witnin the space of a few years, where there had been growing fern and flax was now a thriving township. The new hall was quite equal to many that were seen in much larger centres and effected credit on those responsible for its erection. He had much pleasure in declaring the building open and trusted it would prove of the utmost benefit to the community. The crowd then assembled in the hall and Mr W. Power, secretary to the company, placed the position of the company before those present. He said the first meeting to consider the ok> project: had been held on September 9th, 1910, and they had been working hard to carry the matter through ever since. The company consisted of 500 shares of which 353 had been taken up The sum of £232 12s 6d had been paid up, and out of that £214 9s had been disbursed, leavinn a balance of £lB 4s 6d. The cust of the hall was £375 10s, and to this there had to be added about £SO for expenses, so that a sum approaching £2OO had yet to be raised to clear the hall. The directors had every confidence that the public would Jovally assist them in their endeavours. Mr C. K. Wilson, M.P., paid a tribute to Mr V. S. Hattaway for his donation of the site for the hall. Air Elliott drew attention to the *act that Mr V. Hattaway had also given the land for the saleyards to the were heartily given for Mr •Hattaway, and those present united in "For he's a jolly good fel--10 Mr W P 'Mlattaway responded on behalf of his brother. He referred to t " assistance received from the native, who had contributed about £flO or £7O to the project. ThP excellent work of the architect, Mr Jone; and the builder, Mr Williams, was duly recognised.