OPANAKE.

Wairoa Bell, Volume V, Issue 193, 14 April 1893, Page 3

OP A NAKE.

(From Our Own Co: respondent.) OPENING OF OUE NEW HALL. Easter Monday was quite a gala day in Opat:ake, the natives being busily engaged making preparations for the opening of the new public hall. The hall which is a tine substantial building, is erected upon rising ground belonging to Rikihana and is 60 feet long' by 26 feet, wide. At the rear end a stage has been erected on either ride of which dressing rooms are to be fitted. The interior is lined with T. and G . lining, and an excellent floor has been laid down to make it suitable for dancing. The painters are now at work putting on some finishing touches, and when the building is finished, if some provision is made for better ventilation, our maori friends at Opanake will be able to boast of one of the best public halls in the district 1- . It was decided to open the new hall on Easter Monday night with an entertainment and dance. The former was notified to commence at, half past seven o’clock an d at that time the hall was well tilled. A charge of one shilling was made, and as the proceeds were to go to the hall fund everybody cheerfully contribnt edthe mite. The programme consisted of songs, farces and step-dances, the latter being very creditably executed. The performers were all natives who styled themselves the Hokianga Variety Troupe, and considering the disadvantages under which they laboured through the want of proper dresses, scenery etc., it must be confessed they acquitted themselves remarkably well. As I before stated the audience was a large one, consisting of both Europeans and Maoris. The latter appeared delighted with the performance, while the former were evidently inclined to be lenient and willingly to give the performers every credit for trying to do their best to make the opening entertainment as successful as possible. At the close of the performance the hall was cleared for dancing and a good number were soon busily engaged in this pastime, which was kept going until two o’clock in the morning ; the company then broke up. everybody apparently having spent a most enjoyable evening and I have no doubt but that the other Euroupean visitors will, like ‘ Your own ’ long remember the kindness with which they were treated by their native friends at Opanake on Easter Monday 1893.