ST. BARNABAS' NEW HALL.

Auckland Star, Volume XXX, Issue 87, 14 April 1899, Page 2

ST. BARNABAS' NEW HALL.

. St. Barnabas' Parochial Hall, at Mi. Eden, was formally qpened yesterday afternoon by Mr D. Goldie (Mayor pf Auckland). The inclement weather completely spoiled, the attendance. Mr Goldie congratulated the parish m'acquiring such a large and convenient hall, and pointed oiit some of the many advantages it affords for the welfare.of the district; chief among these he mentioned the establishment of a library for the circulation of good, healthy literature, and the organising of high-class entertainments, and the introduction, as far as possible, of the home life into the amusements of the people. He also urged on those present that they should not let their zealfiag now they had got the hall, but go on until it was free of debt. The vicar of the parish emphasised some of the Mayor's remarks, especially in acknowledging the good work done by the St. Barnabas' Needlework Guild, and the services rendered by Mr W. A. Brown, the. honorary architect of the hall. He said that no words of his could express what the parish owed to the energy and whole-hearted devotion of thje guild, and its indefatigable president, Mrs Heather. The hall was practically a monument to the zeal and industry of the guild. In saying this, he was not forgetful of the direct subscriptions of'the parishioners generally, nor of the very substantial sum collected by the Sunday-school children in their collecting boxes. The hall, he hoped, would be a great help in the pariah. The Sunday-school had already taken possession of it, and the guild were taking possession of it that day, and he hoped in a short time to call a public meeting to test the feeling of the district with regard to a gymnasium and boys' club, and he could assure the young ladies that if they wished it they too should, have a share in the gymnastic exercises. Owing to the wet weather the Dickens Fair, held to celebrate the opening of the hall, will be continued to-day and to-morrow (Saturday), and complimentary tickets issued for Thursday will be available for these days. This evening dramatic and other entertainnlents will be given by Mrs Dr. Dawson, Miss Rice, and others.