POKENO NEWS.

Franklin Times, Volume 14, Issue 200, 9 November 1925, Page 8

POKENO NEWS.

OPENING OF NEW HAUL.

RESUME OF DISTRICT'S PROGRESS

(Own Correspondent). About three hundred residents of the Pokeno Valley district were present at the opening ceremony of the new Public Hall, which took place at Pokeno Valley on Friday last. The hall*; was erected to replace the one destroyed by fire in 1919. The interior of the building was beautifully decorated with a multitude of flags, greenery, and gaily coloured streamers in honour of the momentous occasion. The chairman of the Franklin County Council, Cr H. Wilcox, in declaring the hall open, stated that- the • progress and growth of the district had been marvellous. When the stretch of land from the Pokeno railway station / to the Hauraki Gulf and the upper reaches of the Mangatangi was worked, the production of the district .would be vastly increased. He touched on how the country between Papakura and Waiulcu, which was once despised, had been developed, with, the result that the productivity now in evidence was truly wonderful. He predicted that much of the land out from Pokeno would also prove to be highly productive if cultivated. He referred to the handicaps and privations with which the early settlers had to contend, and how the pioneers of the district had to dwell in huts and whares on bush sections while ttiev were engaged on Government road work for 4s per day. Mr Wilcox. with much feeling, paid tribute to those early settlers ' who had done such a lot for the advancement of the district. Mr Wilcox then stressed the importance and necessity of the proposed new road from Whangarata to Pokeno. He emphasised how this road would be a practically level metalled route thus saving the traversing of the Great South Road over .the Razorback. He drew the people’s attention to the fact that the proposed new road would give a first-class outlet to Pokeno. Mercer and the back districts. In urging the people to vote for the proposal to raise a loan of £3500, the county’s share of the cost. Mr Wilcox stated that the interest and sinking fund would amount to only £245 a year, and this would be spread over no fewer than 400 ratepayers. The entire length of the route would be approximately three miles, and the old railway track could be utilised for a large part of the road The Government had decided to grant a subsidy on the loan. ' In conclusion, Mr Wilcox congratulated ’the people of the district on having such a fine hall in which, he . hoped, they would spend many' a. pleasant hour.

Brief History

A brief history of the hall was then given by Mr J. Dean, chairman of the Franklin Electric-power Heard and county council member for the riding. Mr Dean said that the early settlers brought out from the. Clyde by the ship HeJenslee, arrived at the Queen’s Redoubt, Pokeno, on January 25,

1865 The Provincial Government’s H 'first offices, consisting of a raupo' whare of two rooms occupied by Mr Hector, Government Immigration Officer. were built also on this day. The next Government building was the original Pokeno Valley Hall, built towards the end of, 1865, as a meeting house for the settlers, and in which divine service, Sunday school, and day-school were conducted. This building was the first weather-board structure in the district, and as there were no conveyances of any description, the timber was carried to thd site. Mr G. Bathgate was the builder, j and the timber was sawn by Messrs Graham and William Lake. Until the Christmas of 1869 this building was always referred to and known as the “Kirk,” but on that date, after the elders had refused the young men of the district permission to hold a New Year ball, the young people found out that it was not strictly a “Kirk,” so the ball took place, much to the consternation of the elders. - This hall continued in use until 1898. when Miss Harriet Johnston asked for and obtained permission to pull it down; as it was in an advanced state of decay, and replace it with a new and more up-to-date building. This hall, which was given as a present to the settlers of the district by Miss Johnston, was destroyed by fire in 1.919. The present hall was erected by the trustees out of the Insurance money and accrued interest. Mr Dean suggested that in recognition of the help and benefit conferred on the district by the late Miss Johnston, a tablet to her memorv should be placed in the hall. The chairman of the trustees. Mr D. McPherson, stated that now sufficient money had been subscribed to permit the purchase of a piano. Afternoon tea was dispensed. The function was followed by a highly successful dance in the evening, at which over £2O was taken at the door. The hall, which is 60 feel by 25 feet, has a dancing floor of 50 feet by 25 feet. It is up-to-date in every respect, and should fulfill the district's hall requirements for many years.