PROPOSED HALL, PAERATA.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 9, Issue 498, 20 January 1920, Page 2

PROPOSED HALL, PAERATA.

(Staff Representative). Following our set policy of endeavouring to give a 'push along" to those who display a desire to help themselves in the matter of advancing the interests of their district, the Times was represented at a meeting of the residents of Paerata, held in the railway goods shed, on "good old Saturday night," for the purpose of evolving a scheme whereby a public hall might be built. Our scribe-cum-pharisee took a gun with him and amused himself shooting bunnies on the way. As is usual with such meetings, the barrier did not go up oa time, so the writer had a little more murderous diversion in the vicinity of the Paerata Station. where the long-earned quadrupeds multiply exceedingly, and replenish the earth. When the dusk of the dewy', eve settled o'er the nice little pf)t of «ti*e bush, the secretary of the brata Social Committee lightened the darkness with sundry lampsproperty of His Majesty's Government, of the Dominion of New Zealand, ye ken. The chairman, Mr. N. McGaffin, explained that the purpose of the meeting was to try and find a means of building a hall for the purpose of continuing the very successful social functions hitherto held in the goods shed. Mr. Jamieson had promised a site, and, if not accepted, he would devote at least £lO. Others had promised financial assistance, and doubtless more would be forthcoming when the scheme was on a more solid foundation. It had been estimated that a building, with twice the floor space of the goods shed, could be built by voluntary labour, the material costing about £2OO.

After discussion, Mr. J. Schlaepfer and Mr. J. Mitchell seconded a motion that a committee be formed to canvass the district for support.— Carried.

Mr. A. Ross thought £2OO was an underestimate. Iron was very expensive, and the matter of seats had not been taken into consideration; also a piano, and transfer of the land.

One speaker opined that when the Waiuku railway was completed the goods shed would be so fuifc taxed that it would not then be available for social functions.

Before the foregoing motion was put, Mr. Schlaepfer moved, and Mr. Mitehell seconded a motion that the time had arrived when a hall was required.—Carried unanimously. Mr. R. Schlaepfer favoured the debenture plan, as people then had some hope of getting their money back, and would therefore all be personally interested in making the venture a financial success.. A committee was appointed to go into the project, and report to a future meeting. The Chairman said Mr. D. Jamieson was willing to " toss" Mr. Schlaepfer which of the two would give a site, or £lO. Mr. Schlaepfer said he was agreeable to offering a site, but had not done so, in view of the fact that Mr. Jamieson had already come forward, as he did not wish to give any offence. Cr. J. S. Montgomerie was appointed chairman, subject to his approval, and Mr. W. Alderton secretary. Mr. J. Schlaepfer was appointed to wait on Cr. Montgomerie, asking him to accept the position. Mr. Stuart promised to give a definite estimate of cost, with and without a supper room. A hearty vote of thanks was passed to Messrs. McGaffin and Alderton as promoters of the meeting.