BLAKETOWN HALL

Greymouth Evening Star, 10 December 1940, Page 4

BLAKETOWN HALL

1 EXTENSIVE RENOVATION Officially opened on December 12, 1924, the Blakdtown Hall will celebrate its sixteenth birthday, on Thursday, and the occasion will find the interior of the building bearing a ( brand-new appearance, while the exterior will shortly match it. The passage of the years, with the action of I the elements of Nature outside, and the human element inside, had their effect upon the Hall, and it was becoming noticeably dilapidated. With its transference from the original trustees—few of whom remained —to the Blaketown and Preston Road Citizens’ Association, at the end of September last, the building became due for a new lease of life. A loan of £2OO was raised from a local resident, on’ generous terms, for the purpose of renovating and extending the Hall. Next came the question of labour, but this was soon settled and a working-bee of Association members doffed their coats and got down to. the job. For the past five weeks,their spare time has been devoted to the task, with satisfactory results. An inspection made last evening revealed a transformation scene in the interior of the Hall. Prior to the commencement of the work, it was noticeable that the wall-board near the floor level had been holed in a number of places, while the water from leaking windows had resulted in unsightly stains. The wall-board has been removed to a height of six feet, and has been replaced by tongue-and-groove rimu, which has been stained. The doors leading from the various rooms into the building have been modernised in three-ply, and fitted with chromium handles. The floor, which has an area of 60ft. by 35ft., has received special preparation, calculated to make it second to none on the West Coast for dancing purposes. Every nail has been re-punched, and the floor has received attention from i.a sanding machine and wax. A new system of ventilation carried out on the ceiling has effected a great improvement, while the opening of the windows has also been improved. Extra electric lights • have been installed, and 16 bulbs now ensure brilliant illumination. Four gas-heaters have been provided, for use in Winter. Arrangements have been made with the Borough Council, and the Hall is to be connected with the sewerage system. Much work has been done, . but there is still a good deal on the programme. The supper and card-room at the rear is to be enlarged to the full width of the Hall. The new dimensions will be 35ft. by 15ft., and it may also be used as a lounge. This job is listed for early in January. Other interior work includes the lining of the two dressing-rooms, each 12ft. by 12ft.; the repainting of all the seats in the Hall; and the enlargement of the front porch, including the installation of a ticket-box. The roof is to be repaired and repainted, and the exterior of the Hall is to be repainted, which a working-bee will undertake during the second week in January. It is also intended to make an effort to have the ground in front of the Hall filled in and levelled, for use as a car-parking area. The completion of the scheme will result in the Association possessing a property 100 per cent, efficient for the conducting of dances, card-evenings, other functions, and meetings, demonstrating the value to the community of co-operative effort, in the form of volunteer labour.