DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 260, 13 March 1911, Page 3

DISTRICT NEWS.

TAllUlt UTANGI. OPENING OF A NEW IIA'LL. (From Our Own Correspondent). Thursday, March 9th, marked a newepoch in tiic Tarurutangi district, the occasion being the opening of the Tarurutangi Hall. For many years past concerts, (lances unci functions of every nature have perforce been held in the schoolroom, ol'ttimes not only at considerable inconvenience to the head mistress and scholars, but also to the promoters. For some past the need of a hall has been keenly felt, but the difficulties o£ erecting a new building wert felt to be too great. Last season, however, tlie Tarurutangi Dairy Company erected a new factory, and offered tht old building for sale. Early i|i December a meeting (if settlers was called for the purpose of purchasing a piano for the use of the district. At this meeting a suggestion was made that the old factory building should be purchased and converted into it hall. This suggestion was taken up with avidity, and the following hall committee was appointed: Messrs. G. M. Longstaff (chairman and secretary), G. Giddy, A. Street, F. L. Bishop,. E. T. Marsh, J. F. Copestake, C. Street, J. Giddy, L. Street, and H. Copestake. They did- not waste any time, but immediately ,proceeded to business. I The financial difficulties were overcome by a resident of the district advancing the necessary Ci\sh at a moderate rate •f interest. ThiS old building was purchased, and a contract was at once let to .Messrs. Boon iiros. to enlarge if ailu convert it into an edilice suitable lot its new purposes, They carried out their contract lauhtully ana wen, and tlie re: suit is a bunding eminently suited to the requirements ef : tlie district; Tlie luill is a very compact one, being sUtt. land and. ,3shrdlufs,tivg cmfwyp rdlu unu long and 20ft. wide, with a 12ft. stud. It lias a stage 20ft. by -Oft., which can bt; removed at will. Tlie lloor is oi matin, .ana will be an ideal one for dancing, .which is the principal amusement. and recroation iu tlie country, iiieie are two dressing-rooms, the ladies' being 14ft. by 12ft, and titted with lavatory and every convenience, and the gentlemen's lOit, by 12ft. The opening ceremony drew a crowded house. In fact, it maue it appeav as ii. the hall is already too . small for present requirements. .-Mr. G. M..Longstaff (chairman of and introduced Mr. H. J,. Okey, M.I 1 ., who was received with applause. In a, neat speech he formally declared the hall open. A programme of varied items, all ol which were well received, was then gone through. A, special item was a recitation by Mrs. Win. Giddy, a very old resident of the district, who is now over 70 years of age. The lollowing also performed:—Overture, orchestra; recitation, Mr. Luke; vocal duet, Mrs. .ftaptt and Mr. Turner; song, Air. Thomson; trio (instrumental),- Miss Giddy, .Messrs. Tunbriuge and i\ipp"ert; recitation, Mr. Hill; song, Miss it ice; song, Mrs. Upensliaw; song, Mr. Heppell; Airs. Jariey's rsyi'ta^orj,... Jjiisj _.Jii!da ■liisirdp; recitation, iiii U. Sicej". selection, orchestra; bong, Mr?. Upcushaw; , song, Mr.'Thomson; song, Mr. ti. Wells; song, Miss fttcpueiio. Alias Giddy playeu the accompaniments, supper, pruvidcu by the iauiea, was laid out in a iarge marquee, seating accommodation bemg provided for UU persons at one sitting. The tabies literally groaned with -tuc weight of gooa tilings provided, and those present ' were lavish in their praises of the culinary efforts of the iauies, to which l-uil justice was done. Tiie lloor was the;i cleared for dancing, and, Uespite the crowded lloor, devotees oi Jie terpsicnoreaii art thoroughly enjoyed themselves, and were unanimous m praising the lloor. Excellent music was proviued by T unbriuge's, orchestra, extras being played by Miss Hilda Bishop. Mr. L. Longs ta IT had charge of the dance, and was most assiduous in his attentions, to visitors. The dance closed about 3.30 a.m., every- 1 one being tired, but happy.