PAPATOETOE

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 7, Issue 356, 1 March 1918, Page 3

PAPATOETOE

NEW PUBLIC HALL. OPENING CEREMONY. In the presence of a gathering of some 700 residents and visitors, including representatives of all the neighbouring local authorities, Papatoetoe's acquisition of a public hall—a testimony to the rise and progress of the district—was fittingly celebrated last Wednesday evening in the way of an official opening of the building. The proceedings having been commenced with the singing of the National Anthem, Mr E. Niccol (chairman of the Papatoetoe Eoad Board) stated that it had been the aim of the residents for some years to build a hall suitable and in keeping with the district At the Annual meeting of ratepayers three years ago it was unanimously decided that a hall should he bub and the oum of £I2OO was suggested as the required amount. It was, however, subsequently found that a suitable building could not he erected under £2500, which amount Him ratepayers agreed to raise. The result was that the public w*re now the possessors of a very line hnll Mr Niccol, in conclusion, paid a tribute to the skill of the architec , Mr J. Routly, and also to the builders, Messrs Hamon and Son-, for the able manner in which the work had been carried out.

Pir Fredk Lairg, MP, prior to declaring the hall open, apologised for the Premier's absence owing to departmental duties Sir Fro'leiick statpd that he felt honoured a" having the to the new hall. It was nof.ie 10 years since h° first saw Papat*.etoH when it was a green oasis wih very rough sur roundings, most of the outside country being of standing bush and scrub. Sir Frederick next sketched

the early history of tho district and remarked on the progress it had made during the past ten years. He remarked on the fine class of dwellings, the good state of the roads ! and the street lighting and he also spoke appreciatingly of the Boys' Brass Brand, which would he assured them be a great acquisition to the district. He stated tbat the population of Papatoetoe had doubled itself during the past four years and also that land values had increased by a like amount. There was also the fact that there was not an empty house in the district They would soon have a new island railway station and a new goods shed which also testified to progress. Owing to the alteration of electoral boundaries Papatoetoe after next June would be in the Manukau Electorate and if at the next election he was re-elected he wonld be proud in feeling that the people of Papatoetoe were included among his constituents.

Mr A. Bell (chairman of the Manukau County Council) expressed his pleasure at being present. He congratulated the district on its fine hall and also on tne great progress made during the past four years. From a farming centre Paoatoetoe, he said, had suddenly sprung into an up-to-date suburb and he predicted a great future for it as the garden suburb of Auckland. An entertainment followed, the performers being Misses Smith and Fisher, Messrs A. Black, M. Black and Bousted (songs), Bandmaster Calken (cornet solo), Papatoetoe Boy Scouts (physical drill), and Sergt.Major Eva (bar bell exercises). Mr Frank Wood also contributed skits on the Road Board and Bowling Club and the same were received with rounds of applause. Miss Rita Burnside, Mrs Lees, and Mrs J. Gillies acted as accompanists.

At the conclusion of the entertainment the Chairman (Mr Niccol) thanked the artists, the concert committee, and all those who had helped to. make the gathering such a marked success.

The guests were then entertained to supper.