KIWITEA.

Feilding Star, Volume 2, Issue 316, 21 August 1924, Page 5

KIWITEA.

OPENING OF THE NFW HALL. Fifty feet by'.'lo feet of floor space packed with a happy crowd of settlers and visitors. This was the feature of the opening of the now hall at Kiwitea last night. The hail (which has already been described iu the Star) is one of the best in the district, ami better than most of the Feilding halls. Mr A. E. Sandilands, chairman of the Hall Committee, presided, and asked Air R. Cobbe to officially open the hall. Mr Cobbe said it was a distinct, honour to he asked to make, the official opening of this splendid hall, though he thought if could have been better and more appropriately done by some of the pioneers of the district. As they knew, every settler in the district had shared in the erection of the hall, though most of the responsibility had ■ rested on Messrs A. E. Sandilands and W. Gibson. Probably some of those present could remember the pioneer days of the original hall, when Air Sam Graham played the Jew's harp, and the favourite tune was "The Girl 1 Left Behind Me." Laughter. Tho sturdy settlers had come out from the Old Country and had sent for the girls they left behind them. This hall, besides being a fine thing for Kiwitea, would do something for New Zealand, where there was a tendency for people to drift to the cities. By providing the facilities for social intercourse, the hall would combat that tendency. He hoped this gathering would be the forerunner ot many happy functions. Mr Cobbe. mentioned that the site for the hall had been given by Air W. Gibson, sen., and every settler in the district had helped in the building. He hod great pleasure in officially declaring the hall open. Cheers were given fur the new hall.

The chairman apologised f/>r the absence of Mr ,1. G. Kliott.

A concert programme was then given. A Feilding instrumental quartette—Messrs A. Fanner, M. Hausman, F. Billmnn, and Lc<m. with Miss Hubner at the piano—opened, and Mr Drew, of Feilding, whose fine voice is so much appreciated here, had the honour of being the first vocalist to publicly appear in. the new jiall. Mr Drew was in good voice and delighted the audience. Mi's M. Taylor presented a couple of pretty songs, and Mr E. L Lees, with number with a touch of humour, was vociferously encored. Mr A. Farmer gave a tuneful violin solo, the audience keeping strict time and asking for more. Miss Theed's (Marton) strong contralto voice appealed to the audience, and she likewise was encored. After another instrumental piece, by the Feilding troupe. Miss Rossiter danced in a charming way to pipes accompaniment by Mr Cooper. Mr Drew contributed another fine song, followed by Miss N. Elliott in a sweet soprano song. Miss flogan and the Kiwi tea Merrymakers presented a delightful song and dance in costume which was a feature of the programme. Mr W. Niccolls' song was a popular item, encored. Miss. Theed and Miss Rossiter appeared again, and the programme was brought to a conclusion with a comedy sketch, "Writing a . Flay," by Mi's Elliott and M> A. Kingston, which went with a delightful swing, and was really capitally done. Mr Sandilands thanked the audience for their patronage. Supper was banded round, and a. dance followed. A splendid piano of English make has been secured by the Hall Committee.