ELTHAM'S RED-LETTER DAY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 297, 10 May 1911, Page 7

ELTHAM'S RED-LETTER DAY.

OPENING OF MUNICIPAL GASWORKS AND TOWN HALL. Monday was a red-letter day in the progress of Eltham, for it witnessed the opening of the municipal gasworks and town hall. The gasworks, so Mr. Parrott, the ex-Mayor, explained in the course of liis interesting opening speech, ! are the first municipally-owned gasi works in the province, and a credit in , every way to thu municipality. j The amount of the loan raised for the erection of the works and the maim I was £IO,OOO, though the exact cost is . unknown, the works not yet being completed. The capacity of the works is almost 20,000 cubic feet per day. The plant, which was made in Sheffield, consists of two arches, each containing five retorts, one being fitted now for three retorts, and the other for four. The whole plant is of the most modern make, being specially designed for Eltham. The gas holder has a capacity of 20,000 cubic feet. Seven and a half miles Of mains have already been laid. The works are built in brick, and were commenced in November, the gas being lighted for the first time on Saturday night. The street lights are lighted automatically, from the works in the same way as the electric street lamps in New Plymouth are switched on from the power-houac. There was a fair attendance at the opening ceremony, which consisted of a speech by Hie ex-Mayor (Mr. E. Parrott), who was responsible in a groat measure for the starting of the works, the turning on of the gas, and the works duly christened by the breaking of a bottle of soda-water by Mrs. Parrott. Mr. Parrott, who acknowledged his indebtedness to Mr. Wake, the present Mayor, for giving him the privilege of , opening the works, traced the movement to establish the works from its inception, detailing how at one stage the committee of the council having the proposal in hand, had decided in favor of private ownership, of their subsequent conversion to municipal ownership, of the great difficulties encountered over arranging the finance, how at last the money was got from the State Advances Department at 3y 2 per cent, with £1 7s fid per cent, sinking fund, which meant that in thirty-six years the works would be the absolute property of the burgesses, contrasting this fortunate position with the position they would have had to face had the money been borrowed privately, The work had been capably and conscientiously carried out by the contractors (Messrs. . Atkinson Bros.), and he had not the slightest doubt that they would prove a very remunerative investment for the town. He mentioned that the price fixed (9s 2d per thousand net) was the cheapest charged by any gasworks in the Dominion" at its inception;. The erection of the works had been one of his chief works during his term of office, and in this and the town hall they possessed, he felt sure, two monuments which showed what could be done in the way of municipal enterprise,

THE TOWN HALL. There was a representative attendance at the banquet in the new town hall in the evening. Mr. Wake, Mayor, presided, and there were present the Hon. R. McKenzie, and several representatives of neighboring public bodies. The building is a very fine one, and would do credit to a town many times larger than Eltham. In fact, outside of the larger centres, as good a town hall does not exist. In a town that is being built practically in reinforced concrete, it is, however, to be regretted that the hall was not constructed of the same material. The foundations are of concrete, the superstructure being of I wood and iron. The front elevation is I striking, being treated in a massive | style with rusticated piers and base to a height of 12 feet, the whole being ' painted to represent brick and stone. I There are three sets of doors, with halls,

in tlie front. On either side as you enter are tin™ cloak rooms and offices, together with a special ladies' cloak room, lavatory, etc. From the three entrance halls access is gained to the auditorium, which is 04ft. x 50ft., well lighted and lofty, the stud heing 30ft. high. A fenture of the building is the , coved ceiling. Tlie auditorium appears to he properly proportioned as regards [ length, width, and height. The stage ' lias been designed to cater for the ! theatrical companies that have up to now been going past Eltham. Every facility and requirement are provided. | The stage measures 50ft. x 32ft., the height from floor to gridiron being 40ft. i The proscenium opening is 20ft. high ,' and 28ft. wide. Dressing rooms, lavatories, traps, fly-loft, etc., are all provided; indeed nothing seems to be wanting. The dress circle is not the least in- , terestin'g feature of the place. It is approached by an easy rising staircase, and is so arranged that a perfect view of the stage is obtained from every seat. The front of the circle! is protected by a east-iron balustrading, and a ; rimu handrail is to be provided. The seats are of the lift-up order. On ths right side of the auditorium is a meeting room measuring 40ft. x 14ft., with , a 14ft. stud. On the left hand is the ' supper room. 52ft. x 14ft., also with a 14ft. stud. This room is connected with an up-to-date kitchen. The place is lighted by pis, which is controlled from the stage. The seating capacity of the building is 050. I Messrs. Hough and Duffill were the

architects, nnrl Messrs. John Ryan and ! Sons the builders, and a better job in i respect of both design and workmanship has never been turned out in Taranaki. In formally declaring the hall open, J the Mavov remarked that the opinion was held by some that the building an- ' iicipated requirements, but if milk had I been spilt nothing was to be gained bv j crying over it. If they could make it pay within a reasonable time the bor- ] ou-.'h will have solved a somewhat dilli- ! cult problem. After the health of "The King" had been honored, Mr. T. TS. Crump proposed 'The 'Parliament of New Zealand," paying a tribute to the Government for making it possible for local bodies to borrow money at a low rate. Tlie Hon. W. Carncross, M.L.C., and Mr. Dive. M.P., replied, the former defending the Upper House, which he characterised as both independent and useful. Mr. Dive regretted he had been unable to show Mr. McKenzic more of the counlly around Eltham. "The Municipal Undertakings of Eltham" was proposed by /Mr. E. Barton, of Hawera, Messrs E. Parrott and Taylor replying. The chairman proposed the toast of the evening, "Our Guest." whom he described as one of the strong men of the Ministry, and remarked that Mr. McKenzie had sounded a note of encouragement about the Opunake railway and the route it should take. Hon. McKenzic, who wan enthusiastically received, complimented all conccrnj od upon the splendid building in which I thev were seated. He was pleased to I know that tlie cheap money provided by I the Government was appreciated by the | people of Eltham, who had so freely | availed themselves of it. It would have been difficult for them to have got a town hall if they had had to pay 6 or 7 I per cent, privately for it. He felt sure that though the building waß on the

large side for a town of the present size J of Klthani, it would not be many years before they would find it necessary to extend it. Kltliam had plenty of good country around it. Taranaki' was "probably the richest province in New Zealand; it was very closely settled, n« great tract being in any one man's hands. Indeed, the graduated land tax did not afTect ten men in Taranaki. The Government's policy had -been and was to reduce taxation,' except on the wealthy landowners. THE OPUNAKE lUILWAY. In regard to the rival claims of Hawera, Stratford and Eltham in connection with the junetioning of tlie proposed Opunake railway, they should "have it out on (Laughter). That would settle the question. He would tell the meeting candidly that before very long the railway would be from here—well, he did not mean to say exactly from here- -(loud laughter—but at any rate frdm Opunake to the New Plymouth main line. According to his way of looking at it, it was bound to be made. As to paying 3'/ 2 to 4 per centi there was no doubt of it; every one «f that sort had to be afterwards bought out by the Government. Hut he. wanted to encourage them, and as soon as his Government would allow it the railway would be gone on with. Certain railways were in course of construction now, for which large sums of money-were required, but when they were finished Opunake's turn would come before very Jong. The Government got blamed for borrowing too much money, but the fact was that it was the most economical Government ever seen in this country. The sum of £2,000,000 was placed at 'his disposal, but he could say that not £5 was spent unless there was verv good reason why it should be. Theirs* was a young country, and a great deal was required to develop its resources. It was unfortunate for them and for the Government that they had not enough money to develop those resources all at once, and (he most urgent cases had to be taken first. As a Minister or as a private member they would always have his assistance in trying to get the railway. (Applause.) The position was" entirely one of finance. If they sent people to Parliament who said the Government were "borrowing too much money," (laughter) then the building of railways that the people wanted would have to be held over. The Government was endeavoring to develop the re> sources of the country and anxious to see the development carried out. The Government was endeavoring to assist the people in the backblocks, who were entitled to get it before the Taranaki people got their railway. (Applause.) No doubt the railway would be a ereat advantage. In 20 years' time there would be perhaps three times the amount of produce, and they might only want the railway to facilitate the carnage of those products to market, but there were many places in a worse position m this respect than Taranaki. Mr. McKenzie referred to the defence question, to the constitution of the Upper House, which he vigorously defended, and to the progress of Eltham. His opinion was that it would outstrip either of its neighbors, Hawera and .Stratford, particularly if it got thte Opunake railway. Other toasts were: "Local Bodies of laranaki," proposed by Mr. T. C. List and acknowledged by Messrs. J. Hastic! J. Phillips, and F. Guy; "The Dairying and Kindred Industries," proposed by Mr. L. Hill and responded to by Messrs Jacob Marx and T. Bridge; "The Ladies," "The Press," and "The Chairman."

During the evening songs, of more than average merit, were rendered bv Messrs. E. E. Carter, J. Charles and A. Becslev.