ENTERTAINMENT AT MAHENO HALL.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 924, 2 April 1879, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENT AT MAHENO HALL.

The. public hall which has just been iTi'dcrt at Maheno was opened last night in an appropriate manner by a concert and ball. 'i'ht,- hall was closely packed by a most orderly yet enthusiastic audience, which had come from far and near in order to be present to celebrate an event "f so much importance to the district. But there was not only agoood audience—one <>f those things which are indispensable in every way to the success of such occasions as that of last night ; —there were those tvho proved themselves to be competent t<> contribute to the amusement of auditors. The hall was bedecked tastefully witli irverifi'eens by Mesdames Rankin and M'(>rcgor, the most noticeable decoration being the word '• Success," which was worked in the leaves of a native shrub, whilst there were other signs of a desire on the part of the settlers of the locality to demonstrate that they were of opinion that last night's proceedings should be marked in such a manner as to be impressed upon the minds of all interested. Everybody was in good spirits, and we are able to say that last night's festivities were creditable to the people of Maheno. the auditors, and those wlio took part in the programme. But there are those who are deserving of special praise for their efforts in connection with the Maheno Public Hall movement, and they are the prime movers and promoters of the idea. W e will, however, let the chairman of last night's atiair (Mr. Elder) give the history of the project from its inception. In opening the entertainment, lie said he thought it would be appropriate to give a short history of the hall. Eighteen months ago, a site was secured ; and in discussing as to what description of building should be erected upon ir. it was thought wise to go to the necessary exj'fiisir to secure a hall that would be suitible for all purposes. .Six months later, i committee was appointed to collect subicriptions t«j provide funds to carry out . his object, the cost at that lime being .•>'filiated at from L2OO to L 250, but the-

I i•-!::!•rc:s ivt-ro resolved, even at a lirMe ! i vt:;i cost. to put up a good useful buildi i:,W lien, however, the estimate was sent i iii. it was found that tlie cost would be | twice that which had been set down. ! This. it was thought at the time, : w.i-.iM be too heavy a burden for the ; settlers to bear. Hut the work was under-

' :;<•!>, and everything had gone 011 favor- • a -Iy. " Fortune favors ihc brave." j Fully Ll.>o had already been raised in the I nisi net. and donations amounting to L2O : iti'ire h-id been promised. Ife should j iin'iition that when designs were invited _ tiiat •<! Messrs. Forrester and Lemon was ' chosen. Mr. Sinclair was the successful ! tenderer f>>r the building. When the ; flail was completed. indebtedness to the . aui'Mint of L-100 hail been incurred, with | ••ii!y LIOO in hand towards that amount. Mtir no sooner were the facts of the case made known, than, notwithstanding the : tightness of the money market, about ' which so much had been said, the banks • -ned their coffers and gave the Committee what they needed, and 110 sooner was ir made known that they wished to give an entertainment to assist the Hall fund than tiic pick of the musical talent of Xorth ' ' ago generously came forward to assist. He would not detain them longer, but-would call for the first item 111 the programme.

1 The followi"" .->-n 'be names of the pieces | and the perl'irmers :—First- part : Glee, ["Spring's delights," company; song, j " Castles in the air," Mr Rankin ; duet. . " Gipsy Countess," Mr and Mrs David j l!"oih : violin solo, Mr Jones ; song, i " Jessie's dream," Mrs Kinnear ; song, ; "The village blacksmith," Mr Joseph ■ Hi » 'th ; song. " Thy face," Miss Giflord : ! ' ' True to the last," Mr P. Williams ; duet, "I've wander'd in dreams," Mrs j Stevens and Mr D. Booth. Second part : Canary quadrilles," Mrs Smythics and 3lrs Stevens; glee from ''Oberon," company ; song. £; Aulcl Robin Gray," Mrs David Booth—(The audience seemed desirous of hearing this song again, but there was no response, in consequence of the great length of the programme) ; song, " Of a' the airts tho wind can blaw," Mr F'eattio ; song, " Carissima," Mr P. Williams ; violin solo, Mr Jones (encored): s"tig, " Thadj- O'Flinn," Mrs Kinnear (encored) ; (luet, " Love and War," Messrs Joseph and Daniel Booth ; song, "Beauty sleep," Mrs Stevens ; comic song, " I've

| l»>st i.-.y child," Mr M'Gregor ; National Antliein. Mr Finch played tlic accom- . paniments to the majority of the pieces, and . .Mrs. Smj-thies accompanied the pieces in : which Mrs. Stevens took part. Ever - 11 item of the programme was most sucthe entertainment, thanks to the good j arrangements, the' capabilities of the pert formers, and the capital liall, was as enjoy- ! able as heart could wish. I The Chairman having proposed a vote j •>( thank-: to the performers, particularly j to those wlin had come from Oamarti, and the proposal having been received by audible exidences of approval, Mr. Peattie expressed his pleasure at having been present on such an occasion, and said that he had had the honor of taking a prominent part in the opening of the schoolhousp. He congratulated the people of the district on the handsome and useful hall that they h:ul succeeded in erecting, and called for a hearty vote of thanks to the Committee, which was earned by acclamation. The National Anthem having been sung, dancing was at once commenced, and kept up with little intermission till the usual" hour.

The proceeds of the entertainment will amount to about L 35, of which amount the dancers contributed no small share. The position of the Hall is most advantageous, it being within a few minutes' walk of the railway station. It is capable of accommodating with ease about 300 persons. There is a platform, which is indispensable in such buildings, and is raised to such a height that the performances of those that will use it may easily be seen and heard. Another j

most important feature is that the dimensions and general arrangements of the Hall are such as to ensure acoustic excellence and the comfort and convenience of those who may use it. We should have mentioned that Messrs. P. Williams, J. R. Elder, and D. Booth have been appointed trustees of the Hall, and that the idea of building a hall originated with the Good Templars of Maheno, who, we understand, have identified themselves with the project, and have subscribed the sum of L2O towards it, and will, of course, use it for the purposes of their lodge. The County Council having voted LlO for the purpose of assisting in the establishment of a library, that amount, together with the Government subsidy, will go towards forming the nucleus of a library for the Athenaeum, which is to be started without delay.