PROGRESS OF WHAREHUIA.

Taranaki Daily News, 31 October 1921, Page 5

PROGRESS OF WHAREHUIA.

THE NEW SOCIAL HALL. THE OPENING CEREMONY. That there are few country districts in Taranaki more progressive than W’harehuia was demonstrated on Friday night, when the settlers opened their new hall. The hall has been a long felt want in the district, and the settlers realised that the time, had come when something more was wanted than the school,' which had done service for many years. The prime movers in tha project were Messrs. S. Hart and A. Forbes, with Mr. Murray as secretary. The Wharehuia district is one of the best dairying districts adjacent to Stratford, and the settlers are progressive, so it was only natural that anything taken in hand by them would be carried out with the same thoroughness as their every-day business. The hall was crowded, many cars coming from Stratford, including Messrs. Fowler and W. Curd’s lorries. The first part of the evening was taken up with a concert and the following contributed items: —Overture, Egmont Club orchestra; song, Mr. P. Coe; song, Mrs. T. Gibbs; song. Mr. A. D. Bills; song. Mrs. L. Ki veil; song (comic), Mr. J. Gran; duet, Misses Martin; duet, Misses Coe and Bills. Many of the itenis were encored, giving convincing evidence of the talent present. During the interval Mr. S. Hart, chairman of the hall committee, apologised for the unavoidable absence of Mr. R. Masters, M.P. He thanked all j those who had given financial and personal support, and extended a hearty i welcome to the visitors. He then asked Mr. McMillan (Mayor of Stratford) to declare the hall open.

Mr. McMillan said that they had on previous occasions sampled Wharehuia hospitality, and knew they were in for a good time when they went there. On behalf of Stratford he congratulated Wharehuia people on their enterprise, and he had no. doubt they would continue to progress, seeing the businesslike manner in which they had carried out the erection of their hall. The first meeting-in connection with the proposal was held on June 14 and the building was completed for dancing purposes on September 1, and they were opening the hall’ that night free of debt. Prior to this all the local functions had to be held in the school, which caused a great deal of extra work and inconvenience, He then unveiled the hall charter, upon which was inscribed, “Wharehuia 1921 Social Club.” After supper had been handed round and about 400 people had been attended to, the hall was cleared for dancing; and in .spite of the crowded state of th« floor, Messrs. Chard and Hart ably attended to all. Mrs. Bianchi’s orchestra played, while splendid extras were played by Miss Hall and . Mr. Cliff Phillipa