St. Andrew’s Parish Hall Opened.

Franklin Times, Volume XXIV, Issue 141, 7 December 1934, Page 5

St. Andrew’s Parish Hall Opened.

BY MR ROBERT BILKEY. LAST EVENING’S FUNCTION. ENJOYABLE TIME SPENT. The former St. Andrew’s Anglican •Church, one of the early landmarks •of Pukekohe, which was renovated recently and converted to a parish hall, was formally opened last evening by Mr Robert Bilkey, one of the oldest .parishioners in the district. The original portion which stood on the site near the public cemetery was opened on Low Sunday, April 23, 1870, by Bishop Cowie, father of the vicar of St. Andrew’s, the Rev. J. P. Cowie. The building was removed to its present site about 1890 additions being undertaken-in 1911. It was used as • a church for the last time on July 23. 1933, and until last evening had been idle. Although the building has been in existence nearly 60 years the timber in the original portion is in a remarkable slate of preservation, and ■should serve as the centre of social activities of St. Andrew’s for very many years yet. The thanks of the parishioners are due to the ladies’ j guild which provided the necessary ' funds to have the old church convert- j ed. The building contractors carried ■out, their task expeditiously and made j a splendid job of the conversion work. ■

An Energetic Committee.

Last night’s functino took the form of.a social and dance, and one of the most enjoyable evenings held by St. Andrew’s for some time resulted. It •was indeed very gratifying to the social committee to see such a large representation, particularly of young ■people, and it is the committee’s intention to cater liberally for the social welfare of the parish in future. An •energetic committee, comprised mostly of young folk, has been appointed, and the success of last evening’s social was solely due to their untiring efforts, and the organising ability of 'the conveners and members of the several sub-committees. The artistic decorations revealed the sense of originality of the lady members, some of whom spent many tiring hours in preparation work. Two circlets draped in orange and green, held numerous streamers of orange and green alternately, which radiated from central points 'to the four walls of the buildnig. A colourful scene was presented. The floor, considering it has beep .down for nearly 60 years was in fair condition at the commencement "but toward the end it improved immensely, and indications point to it being in excellent condition for future functions. The ladies supplied a dainty supper which was dispensed by members of the committee and assistants.

Shortly after 8 o'clock, the vicar; the Rev. J. P. Cowie, opened proceedings by giving a brief outline of the history of the building. . He referred to the fact that in the past the social activities of the parish had been somewhat retarded' through the lack of a hall. He expressed appreciation of the efforts of those responsible for the former church-being converted to a hall, and added that there was no intention of the hall competing with other halls in the town —it was purely for the social needs of the parish and he was hoping great things would result. Mr Cowie said he was grateful to those responsible for the decorative scheme and in preparjng the hall for the function. He trusted all would spend many happy times in the hall, and then called on Mr Bilkey to formally declare the building open. “Mr Bilkey,” he said, “is one of the oldest residents of the parish, a church warden of many years’ standing, while for a. long time he represented. the parish on the Synod.”

Mr Bilkey First Soloist. Mr Bilkey said it was with a great deal of pleasure that he formally opened the hall. He too outlined the history of the building, mentioning that for nearly GO years it did good service as God’s House, and now that its place, as one of worship had -been taken by a more commodious and beautiful church, it would serve as a splendid social hall. Mr Bilkey mentioned that, 47 years ago next July, he and Mrs Bilkey were married in the building, “and I can tell .you I have not forgotten that happy day.” Mr Bilkey complimented those responsible for making the building safe and ready for use and hoped that in future many enjoyable times would be spent in the old building. “I have great pleasure in declaring the hall open,” he concluded. Mr Bilkey asked permission, and his request was granted, to sing a song “because,” as he said, “T want to be the first, to sing a solo in the parish hall.” Mr Bilkey sang a real oldtime love" song, and he was loudly applauded for his fine effort. The social proceedings then commenced, and from the opening number, a pianoforte solo by Miss Jean McArthur, there was not a dull moment. Mr H. T. King sang “T Hear You Calling Me”; Miss V. King sang “I Hear a Thrush at Eve’;: “A Gentleman of France” was the title of an elocutionary item by Miss Marjorie Treanor: Misses V. and D. King were heard in the duet, “Down the River of Golden Mr and Mrs II T. Moore

A Memorable Function. sang “The Venetian Song” and “In the Garden of Your Heart”; Miss Doris King and Mr H. T. King sang “Your Eyes Have Told Me So” and “Let’s Grow Old Together”; while Misses D. and V. King and Mr 11. T. King completed the vocal section of the evening by singing “Have You Ever Been Lopely” and “Drifting and Dreaming." The items were interspersed with dances. Delightful dance music was supplied by Mrs G. Bowden, Misses Madeleine Osborne, Jean McArthur, Muriel Lysnar and Mr Trevor Moody. Mr Cowie and Mr L. K. Brown were masters of ceremonies.. • Npvelty dances were won by Mrs D. Fausett and Mr Liddell (mystery polonaise), Mrs 11. Curd and Mr J. P. Carter; Mrs Cheeseman and Mr .T: P. Carter (Monte Carlo waltzes); and Miss Doris King and Mr F. H. Hewitt (spot schottische). Votes of thanks were accorded the artists, musicians, donors of trophies (Mrs M. C. Lawson, Miss Annette Bowden and Mr K. Brown) and all who had assisted to make the evening such an outstanding success. .* The singing of the National Anthem terminated a memorable function.