OPENING OF THE KIHIKIHI TOWN HALL.

Waikato Times, Volume XVIII, Issue 1482, 3 January 1882, Page 2

OPENING OF THE KIHIKIHI TOWN HALL.

If there is one inclispensabla feature to a thriving township situate in a well settled and highly cultivated district with an industrious population, it is a public hall. For many a long day Kihikihi has experienced the inconveniences which the want of a proper public assembly rooms calls into existance, and not many weeks since these inconveniences were fully exemplified by the schoolroom — which is the only makeshift in the absonce of a hall — being inexorably closed to all gatherings of an entertaining nature through a difference between the teacher and the local school committee. It was then seen by a - few practical men who had an interest in the welfare of the place, that unless something was done and done very soon, they would in all probability be debarred from holding meetings, concerts, or other social gatherings, and thus fall behind in the march of progress, and become more au object of sympathy and compassion in the eyes of the neighbouring settlements, than a township competing for honors in a rising district. Consequently, the idea of building a public hall was seriously contemplated, and seeing that the work was urgent, those who were interested determined on having a building worthy of the place and creditable to the community. Having recognised the indispensable nature of the project the general public accorded their unanimous approval, and not only interest but enthusiasm was awakened. The task, which meant no inconsiderable exertion was accordingly undertaken and carried into execution by a. committee, and the work now completed bears testimony to the practical nature of their labour.' The building which occupies one ?6f the. most prominent sites in the township is situated opposite Messrs Elmsly'. Bros. store, on the road leading to the Puniu settlement, and equals in size the' Public Hall at Cambridge. Mr A. Miller .was the contractor, and it is but justice tqsay he has faithfully executed his work. As the, holidays were near at hancT,a number of gentlemen — Messrs' * Elmsly, Empson, Moncriefi, Natrass, Anderson, Tanner, and, Hendorson, decided pnf fittingly, celebrating'^ the same time ' the' opening *of the new hall, and the closing of the oldyear, and with this object in view it occuredlto'them that the mostlßuitablei way of doing so was to have a ball. Accordingly a "grand- ball was given on Friday evening .lasfj,* atiwjiich about 150" people were .present,, and was certainly { one of the grandestjßvents of _ the'- kind * ever held huthe district. The- hall was handsomely, , though , not too profusely*; wittelaVe^'&ndiVblmi^g,' and, .the m\mte,£w)^Vvs[as j>rj>vided^y}Messrs4 ' Sibjey ;f^ratra^,^f Reo| J g : Gl6ug^:^a^d3