NEW VOLUNTEER HALL, GERALDINE.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1497, 24 April 1886, Page 3

NEW VOLUNTEER HALL, GERALDINE.

The ceremony of laying the foundation stone of the new Volunteer Hall took place on Thursday afterneen. For some time before the ceremony people began to congregate about the spot, and by the time the stone was laid a great many were present, a large proportion being ladies. Owing to the indispo»ition of Mrs Pearpointf who was to hare preformed the ceremony, the task devolved on Mr R. H. Pearpoint, Chairman of the Geraldine Town Board. Mr Pearpoint, in addressing those present, said they all knew the purpose for which they were that day assembled, namely, to lay the foundation stone of the new drill shed of the Geraldine Rifle*. They were ell aware as to how the corpe had started. The cerps bad been at a great disadvantage in not having a drill shed, and had been forced to drill in the Oddfellows’ Hall. Captain Moore had been at great pains to get a grant fer a drill shed and had sacceeded in obtaining £2OO towards it. Although they were not going to finish the ball now they intended to finish it as soon as they could, and during the winter would endeavor to get up some description of entertainments with that end in view, Mr Pearpoint. then laid the atone, placing in a cavity which had been prepared for the purpose in the centre of the stone, copies of the Geraldine Guardian, South Canterbury Times, and Timaru Herald, of April 22nd, 1886. The Geraldine Rifle*, who were present under the command of Lieut. Ward, then fired a volley over the stone in capital style, the report sounding to those a short distance away as though coming from one rifle.

Mr Pearpoint then invited those present to come forward and drink the health of the Geraldine Rifles and wish them success in building the hall. He proposed the toast of “ Success to the Geraldine Rifles’ drill shed,” coupled with the names of Lieut. Ward of the Geraldine Rifle*, and Captain White of the Timara Rifles, the latt*r gentleman being present. The toast was drunk with great enthusiasm. Lieutenant Ward responded on behalf of the Geraldine Rifles. He wished to thank thosa present for the manner in which they had drank the health of the corps and success to the drill shed. This was not the first time they had drank the health of the Rifles, and he hoped it would not be tbe last. He hoped the Rifle* would have many a gocd day’s drill in Geraldine. He thanked them for the manner in which they bad drank the toast.

Captain White stated that it was an unexpected pleasure for him to be present on that occasion. He had no idea when be left Timaru that morning that tbe foundation stone was to be laid that day. The first intimation he had received of it was when he saw it in the morning paper. Being connected with the Volunteers he had great pleasure in remaining in Geraldine to be present at the ceremony. The Geraldin* Rifles had set the Volunteers of South Canterbury, and in fact the whole of New Zealand, an example both as regards their behaviour and their attendance on parade. They were happy in being commanded bv one of the ablest officers in New Zealand. This he happened to know from persons high in authority. If they placed themselves well under the command of Captain Moore they would no doubt soon become such a popular corps that their ball would be too small for them. Throughout South Canterbury the Geraldine Rifles were thought a great deal of. They devoted a deal of time, and made great sacrifices, in order to attend to their duties as volunteers, and their musters and conduct were most exemplary. He had much pleasure in being present on that occasion, and he could only wish them all the success which they deserved, and that was a very great deal. Mr Pearpoint thought before they closed the proceedings a vote of thanks was due to the architect, Mr D. McKenzie, and to the contractors, Messrs Clinch and Lloyd, who were carrying out the work.

These gentlamen having briefly repli«d, the meeting terminated. The Rifles were then marched back to the yard and dismissed. At the conclusion of the ceremony Mr Pearpoint invited the whole of those present to come forward and partake of the refreshments that ware on tbe ground. The dimensions of the building were given in our issue of last Saturday. The stone bears tbe inscription G.R.V., April 22nd, 1886.