THE HORORATA PUBLIC HALL.

Press, Volume XLVII, Issue 7524, 14 April 1890, Page 3

THE HORORATA PUBLIC HALL.

A very successful ball was held a 1 Hororata on Friday, the 11th butt.,' tc celebrate the completion of the public hall recently erected there. The want of a suitable building for the holding of public meetings and social gatherings has long been felt in the district, and has recently been aggravated by the not unreasonable objection of the Board of Education to the holding of entertainments in district schoolrooms. A piece of ground in a very central position fn the township having been secured by Sir J. Hall, fenced, planted, and offered as a site for the hall, a public meeting was held, at which it was decided to take steps for the erection of the building. A Committee was appointed to collect subscriptions, and If found practicable to proceed with the work. The invaluable cervices of Mr Fountaine as canvasser were secured, and the proceedings of the Committee were so successful that they have been enabled to erect a hall, according to apian and design* prepared by Mr S. H. Seager, architect, which is allowed to be a credit to the township, and will be in every way a convenient place of meeting for the surrounding district. The hall itself is 50ft long by 30 wide, having a dado of moulded wood of various colors running round the sides. A roof of excellent pitch gives the room a lofty and spacious appearance. The floor was pronounced by the dancers to be one of the best they had seen and fears were expressed lest its smoothness might be interfered with by the rlnktng which Iβ to be allowed upon it. Attached to the hall are a fair sized refreshment room, an office for the ticket taker, and other " authorities," a gentlemen's hat and coat room, and a ladies'room. The contract foj? the building was taken by Mr A. White of Sheffield, and under the superintendence of Mr Prestidge, as volunteer clerk'of the works, has been carried out In a thoroughly satisfactory manner. The opening night brought together a large gathering from all quarters and of all classes. Dancing commenced soon after 8 o'clock to the inspiriting strains of Mc Fleming's band, ana was continued until the small hours of the morning, when th« dancers departed highly satisfied with their entertainment and their new hall The refreshments were provided by tin ladies of Hororata, and were in such abundance that the willing services of the school children had to be enlisted on &h< following day in the disposal of BUlslet cakes and other confectionery.