VOLUNTARY LABOUR.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 85, 11 April 1938, Page 3

VOLUNTARY LABOUR.

NEW SOLDIERS' HALL OPENED AT GLEN EDEN. The official opening of the new brick and wood social hall, built by voluntary labour on the part of members and supporters during their spare time over the last nine months, was opened by the Western Suburbs Returned Soldiers' Association at Ci.len Eden on Saturday afternoon. There were about 500 people present. The building was declared open by the Hon. W. Perry, M.L.C., of Wellington, president of the New Zealand Returned Soldiers' Association, who used an engraved key, presented to him by Mr. B. McKenr.ie, works foreman of the New Lynn Borough Council, who planned the building and supervised its erection.

"Mr. T. A. Bis\\np. president of the Western Suburbs Returned Soldiers' Association, said tVic occasion 'narked itn important milestone in the history of the work anions ex-servicemen resident between the Whan bridge and the Helensville boundary. The branch was formed and incorporated in 1931, when eight members joined at the original meeting. At the end of the first year there were 141 members, who had increased to 515 at present, including 15 Home-servicemen and 25 honorary members.

The founder and first president of the Western Suburbs Association, Mr. P.. W. Wise, who is now the Ferret :.y. s-rirl lie was proud of the pivg.vss by the association.

Congratulations to tin association were also extended by .tli - .* AttorneyGeneral, the Hon. H. Mason, on behalf of the Government: Mr. A. G. Hackett, of the Glen Eden Town Board; Mr. W. H. Roberts, clerk of the Henderson Town Board; Mr. 11. l'altridge, chairman of the Waiteinata County Council; Mr. W. R. T. Leigliton, chairman of the Waiteinata Electric Power Board; the Rev. W. P. Rankin, and Miss D. M. Hawkins.

Mr. Perry presented Mr. McKenzie with a gold badge of life membership for distinguished service to the association. A dance was held in the new hall on Saturday night.