MEMORIAL CENTRE AT SOMERFIELD

Press, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 26397, 16 April 1951, Page 3

MEMORIAL CENTRE AT SOMERFIELD

OFFICIAL OPENING ON SATURDAY

The Somerfiel’d Memorial Community Centre, a handsomely-finished hall which has cost £9OOO and is the fruit of five years’ work by the Somerfield Burgesses’ Association, was opened by the Mayor (Mr R. M. Macfarlane, M.P.) on Saturday. A war memorial plaque was unveiled and dedicated by the Dean of Christchurch (the Very Rev. A. K. Warren).

The Somerfield Burgesses’ Association was a very energetic body, said Mr Macfarlane. It had worked for and opened a park and other amenities in the district. Somerfield and the whole of Christchurch could be proud of the association. The City Council, he said, was always willing to help those who helped themselves. The chairman of the association (Mr R. Jones) said that the Labour Government had granted £3500 for the centre, and the City Council had given £1250, which included timber. The association had bought the section in 1945 at a cost of about £lBOO, and the building, with furnishings, had cost about £7OOO. Business firms in Christchurch had given valuable help, Mr Jones said.

Dressmaking lessons in the centre will be started on Wednesday, and the kindergarten at the rear of the building will be opened later. Other speakers at the opening ceremony included Miss M. B. Howard, member of Parliament for the district, and Mr J. L. Hay, of the City Council. Other city councillors and City Council officers were present. Lieutenant-Colonel H. Purcell spoke for the Southern Military District at the unveiling of the war memorial, and buglers from the Christchurch Technical College sounded “Last Post" and “Reveille.” The Christchurch Returned Services’ Association was represented by the president, Mr P. V. H. Maxwell.