WAIMAUKU CORONATION HALL.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 1 November 1911, Page 2

WAIMAUKU CORONATION HALL.

The opening of a new hall in anycountry town, or even in a city is always a marked event, but the opening of a hall in a place where there has never been a suitable building for public meetings, church services, and other gatherings that are likely to take place in a growing district, is is more to those concerned than the opening of v even the Auckland Town Hall will be to the city folk, especially when the procuring of the same has been mainly due to the energetic exertions of a small community such as the Kuraeu Riding of th.fi Waitemata County, of which Waimauku is practically the centre, surrounded by Kumeu, Murawai, Rewiti, Woodhill, Waikoukou, etc., with a total population of 613. The Hall is 40 feet by 30 feet, well finished both inside and outside. On the front, which faces the West Coast road, is a marble plate with the following inscription : " This Hall was built, to commemorate the Coronation of King George V., June 22,1911." Inside the building is properly lined, and has a stage about 15 feet wide by 10 feet deep, raised about 3ft from the main floor with anti-rooms at each side; an entrance to the stage being from the antisrooms by steps, and from each side there is an exit to,'the outside. The floor is well laid in heart of rimu, and the seats provided, while being strongly made/are comfortable; the hall has a good sound and speakers and vocalists will be able to be heard without undue exertions. The \i ants of the district as far as a hall was concerned has been felt for some time back, and a nucleus to that end had been started, and when it was found that a Coronation grant might be had, the energetic Kumeu Riding memter, Mr V. Kerr-Taylor, require! no persuasion to try for it, with the result that he was able to annex £125 as a hall and library grant. A com^ mittee consisting of "Mcsdames V. Kerr-Ta3 rlor and Johnson,' Misses White and Foster, and Messrs A. Frost (chairman), J. Foster, and Hawkins (secretary), was formed to flfioure the equivalent to enable them to lift the grant. The biggest item was the site for the hall, but Mi E. C. Fiost, alive to the situation, generously donated a large section in a nice position, for which he received the hearty thanks of the whole community. | The committee wero well supported by the residents throughout the district, and were not long in collecting the required amount, the hall being completed, within four months of the Coronation of the King whom it is to commemorate. While congratulating the district on having such a structure, wo also congratulate the residents m having a live Riding Member, and an exergetic committee.

The official opening day fixed for Thursday, Oct 26th, was to have been a gala daj in tho annals of Waimauku but unforseen circumstances and bad weather considerably marred the opening. The Governor, Lord Islington, whom it was understood would bo present, sent word that he was unable to accede to the wishes of the residents but would bo pleased to pay a visit to Waimauku next year ; on receipt of which the committee communicated with Air StaliTvorthy M.P., for Kaipar«, who signified his willingness to be present at the opening ceremony, but the day previous he wired ho was unable to be present owing to prolongation of Parliament. Mr. Jas, McLeod, Chairman of the Waitemata County Council, was also absent, owing probably to the heavy rain that had set in, but rain or not the committee decided that the opening must take place. Tne inclement weather kept a considerable number who had intended to be present away, but at the time specified, 2 o'clock, Mr V. Ken>Taylor, in the presence of about 40 people, after reading the Governor's letter and an apology from Mr. Stallworthy, M.P., declared the Hall open for public use.

Tea and refreshments were then handed round, by the ladies of the committep, after -which Mr. J. O'Neill (Waitakerei) took the chair, nnd proposed the toast of " Our King." Mr O'Neill in his remarks stated that the hall was built to commemorate the Coronation of King George V., the only severeign who had ever visited tha Colony, The procuring of the grant was due to Mr Ken-Taylor, and he congratulated him on his business capacity.

Mr Wake in proposing the toast of "The Ladies," was sure there was no places so progressive as Waimauka and Albany, He congratulated Mr Ken-Taylor on getting his full share of the grant. He thought the hall would be a great bcon to the district. Mr Frost responding on bohalf of the ladies, said he did not feel shy in undertaking such a pleasing duty. No_ district could advance without the assistance of the ladies, and he expressed gratitude to the ladies for their share of work, and for their attendance, Mr. Frost stated the laud was vested in. the trustees, Messrs W. Adlington, J. D. Foster and A. Frost, and read a portion of the truffc deed which stated that the Hall was a free building for all Christian Denominations for religious purposes, _ which was one of the conditions on which the land was given. It could not be overlooked that the outside help had greatly assisted m enabling the grant to be lifted.

Mr V. KensTaylor, being called on, thanked those who had already spoken for their remarks ; aud said the thanks of all were due to Mr E. C. Frost for his gift of land on which the Hall stood. It was some years ago (continued Mr Kens-Taylor) that a hall committee had been formed, and he thought the credit was due to the people, and not to himself, because

the} 7 had the money to lift the grant; the County could not borrow the money for the purpose, as.it had to' be voluntary subscriptions. Some people thought the hall was too large, but he contended that when greater Auckland came it would be rather small. Kumeu was being kept back by tied up land, and when the landwas laid open the district would go ahead. Now the hall is open settlers would have a place to meet and discuss the prospects of. the district. In, connection with the hall there is to be a library, which would be etarted as soon as they got a grant. The hall starts practically out of debt, but a piano and other thiugs essential are yet to be procured.

Mr Boucher, Kumeu, congratulated Waimauku on tiie nice hall, and was glad to see the district going ahead. They should congratulate their Riding member for what he had done. He thought a progressive league should be formed to wake the district up; what was wanted was an improved railway service. He instanced Tepuka where they had got a lot by continue ally asking for it.

Mr Griffin, Kumeu, said that when a hall was first mooted £7 was collected ; it stood at that. 2 years,^ when it took another spurt £40. fle congratulated Mr Kerr-Taylor on snavelling the £125. It did not matter what it was snavel it. He wished Mr Stallworthy was present, he wanted to know why ho did not assist" the hall fund,

Mrs V Kerr-Taylor being called on to speak, made a neat little speech. She thanked those who had assisted in money and other matters. She thought it was the gentlemen's place to make speeches, but if she could get anything towards the piano funds 3he would be pioased she had spoken, Mrs Taylor thanked those gentlemen who had assisted the ladies in their part of the work in securing the hall; there were timos when the ladies required the help of the gentlemen as there were often tasks to be undeitaken which the ladies could not do.

A collection started by Mr Ghffin, Kumeu, in aid of the piano fund realised over £2.

Mr O'Nell spoke in connection with the Press, Mr Card replying- on that behalf.

Votes of thanks were accorded the Chairman (Mr O'Neill), Mr V. KerrTaylor, and the hall committee A pleasant and interesting afternoon was brought to a close with '»God save the King."