LINK WITH THE PAST.

Taranaki Daily News, 24 August 1920, Page 7

LINK WITH THE PAST.

THE OLD DRILL HALL SOLD. FORMER WAR HOSPITAL. An interesting page in the early history of New Plymouth is recalled with the sale yesterday of the old Drill Hall, at the corner of Kawau and Gill Streets, New Plymouth:, The sale took place yesterday morning, when the hall wa9 disposed of by the Commissioner of Crown Lands (Mr. G. H. Billiard) at his office in New Plymouth. There were only four prospective buyers present, and only one bid was received, that being the upset price of £I7OO, at which figure it waß knocked down to Messrs. Newton King, Ltd. After the sale the Commissioner told the ptfrchaeer'a representative that the tenants who are at present occupying the hall' as a dwelling-house had been given notice to vacate. One of New Plymouth's residents most intimately associated with this historic building is Mr. W. F. Brooking, who was the architect of the building, and in an interview with a Daily News representative last night, Mr. Brooking recalled some interesting details of the early history of the hall. most interesting part of the present hall is the front portion, not the hall proper, for it dates back "to the troublous days of the sixties," said Mr. Brooking. "The Original object of this portion of the hall was a hospital during the war, and in 1880 it. was established as the militia hospital of the district. Though it doesn't fit our present ideas of a hospital. it served'its purpose, and those old walls provided a place of rest and care for many. Then, when there was no further use for a hospital, it became the militia headquarters, and served this purpose for many years." Mr. Brooking recalled that it was in 1891 that it wasj decided to make the adi dition of the drill hall proper, and he was appointed to draw up plans. Others prominently associated with Mr. Brooking in providing the hall were the late Mr. Reggie Bayley and Colonel Ellis, while the contract was let to the late Mr. T. S. Bond, then in business in New Plymouth under the name of MessTs. T. S. Bond and Co. The contract price, it is especially interesting to recall to-day, was "£B2O. The building of this drill hall became possible through the two original Taranaki rifle volunteer companies having several hundred pounds in hand, while they also received assistance from the Government. The Government, Mr. Brooking mentioned, also gave the contractor timber and iron from the old barracks on Marsland Hill, and though some of this material went into the .old mountain house, Mr. Brooking was not sure whether any of it was used in the drill hall. The old drill liall served its purpose for military parades and social functions for many years in a way which the present generation can remember, until some years ago it was found to be too small, and the Coronation Hall was built. Two of the most Interesting events of some years hack- associated with the old Drill Hall were the visits of the Imperial troops and the Indian troops.