R.S.A. HALL REOPENED

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31235, 6 December 1966, Page 7

R.S.A. HALL REOPENED

Ceremony Held At Rangiora

The Rangiora Returned Services Association’s hall which was badly damaged by fire in October, 1965, and has since been reconstructed, was officially reopened on Saturday morning. It was with mixed feelings that he was performing the reopening of the hall, said Mr G. A. McAlpine, a past president and honorary life member of the association. It was pleasing to see several of the original committee which had worked for the erection of the first building, but there were others who had since “answered Last Post" “I am sure they are here with us in spirit today,” he added. Mr McAlpine urged that the public make the fullest possible use of the hall, which had been missed by the community for a long time. He also suggested that members of the association should make more use of the clubrooms than had formerly been the case. The president Mr T. J. Rodgers, paid tribute to the splendid work of the architect and builders through whose efforts the association now had a magnificently reconstructed hall. The R.S.A. movement was in a position to look after those persons not so fortunate, and he hoped “this fine building" would help in the prime purpose for which the association existed, said Mr H. L. Pickering; member of Parliament for Rangiora, congratulating the association. In times of uncertainty in the world the R.SA. had not agreed to complete appeasement Instead, it had put emphasis on the Government to use stronger measures, said Mr Pickering. The fire was most unfortunate, but it might have brought improvements. It might help in fostering comradeship and mutual trust which was very necessary in today's troubled world, said the Mayor of Rangiora (Mr L. E. Farr). After Mr McAlpine had officially reopened the hall, local body representatives, members of the association and the public made an inspection of the building and tea was served. A separate function for members and their wives was held in the hall in the evening- y