AKA AKA.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 1, Issue 5, 10 April 1912, Page 2

AKA AKA.

New Public Hall. The opening of the pew Public Hall at Aka Aka, on Wepnesday evening last, was an event of considerable importance. Visitors came from near and far, and there (must have been well over three hundred persons present. The hall itself, (which cost about £250, is a grand little structure and seats about 250 peop e. The stage is suitably furnished vith ante-rooms, and the floor has i capital dancing surface. A first class piano has installed. The decorations reflected very great credit on the band of workers responsible tor them, and the arrangement of tie greenery and • bunting was most artistic. A large marquee was erecte< '. near by and the tables were a tern] iting and lavishly hospitable sight. Mr W. F. Massey M.P. for Franklin, attended and wa i met at the hall by M> S. P. Henry i ,nd introduced to the waiting crowd. A white ribbon was stretched across the doorway and Mr Massey called i pon Mrs Hudson, as the oldest whi ;e settler on the swamp, to cut it. fr Massey simply declared the hall o ten, and reserved his remarks until the people were seated, and the building was quickly packed. Mr J. Muir wa i chairman' of the gathering, and at his invitation Mr Massey addressed tie 'meeting. The Leader of the Opposition was in good form, but he carefally refrained from talking politics, jHe heartily congratulated the people of the district upon the hall, which seemed to be exceedingly suitable for all the purposes for which it erected. They had every reason jto be proud of it. The hall was an > indication of the progress that had been made during the last sixteen years. Fifteen,years ago he had looked across Aka Aka and it was then a wilderness of rushes, ti-tree and raupo. It was a swamp then but it should not be spoken of as a swamp, now. It was, in fact, one of the most fertile spots in the North Island. They had] prosperous homes, a creamery, a school, the telephone, and last, but not least, this fine public hall. These were the results of the energy and enterprise of the people. It was this energy which enabled the ■ public affairs to bei carried on and the interest on the public debt to be paid. (Applause.) Referring to the dairy industry Mr Massey said it had come to stay, and: he j congratulated this district upon the firm establishment of dairying. All ovej the district there were signs of progress. Aka Aka had developed, Waiukju was prospering, Pukekohe had jusii been formed into a borough and now a local paper, for circulation right throughout the district, had been established. The editor - of the paper was npw present, so that they had to carefully remember the " chief amang them takin' notes, for faith he'd print it.f Eeferring to the name Aka Aka Mr Massey thought the time had come! when it should be changed—certainly it should not be called \ka Aka sframp. Some other title worthy and appropriate—such as plains—should be! adopted. He concluded by again congratulating them upon their hall las another sign of material and social advancement. (Applause.) I -« The programme was attractive. 1 Misses William! and Hewlett and Master Williams rendered an instrumental selection (two violins and piano). Mr W. Jones (Pukekohe) was in good fo*n in " The Veteran's Song," and Irfter on sang " Thora." Mrs P. Boydj (Pukekohe) sang " A May Morningf" and "Three Green Bonnets " vert nicely. Mr F. Loader was recalled fir his " Keep on Doing It Sandy, Oh," and "Just for Tonight." Miffi Crawford (Onewhero) \ contributed V Mellow Autumntide." This singer jwas down for a second - number but asked to be excused from the second long and her place was filled by Mrjß. J. Eames, who recited. ' Mr M. Aldrefl in musical comicalities won recallsf upon both appearances. ' Mr B. Andrew (Pukekohe) for a topical political recitation " Joe Ward M Shall Notl Speak To-night" was 1 encored and he also contributed a p couple of popular songs. MissesWilliams aim Goodwin gave a pianoforte duet.? Miss Beable made an efficient accbmpanist, although several of the singers had ■ their own pianoforte assistants. The programme was cordially appreciated, ancTupon Mr Massey's call ringing cheers were given the performers and for the committee of ladies and gentlemen who had worked so well to complete the success of the evening. A call from the hall for cheers for Mr Massey was heartily responded to. An animated supper, a cleared hall, and then the dancing. The familiar accordeon was not dispossessed by the new piano but did its musical work as of old. Later in the evening, however, a number of ladies played and the piano was formally introduced to the dancing public. It was a gay dance and the light was buraismnf' j the eastern sky when the last of J merrymakers had dispersed. w J