PURCHASED BY R.S.A.

Greymouth Evening Star, 2 March 1946, Page 4

PURCHASED BY R.S.A.

BLANCHFIELD’S BAKERY BUILDINGS EXTENSION OF HALL

The Greymouth branch of the Returned Services Association, which already owns the property on which stood Victoria House, now in the final stages of demolition, has decided to purchase the adjoining bake-house property of Mr. P. Blanchfield. The decision to exercise its option over the property was made at a meeting of the executive of .the R.S.A. last evening, when the Building Committee was authorised to make final arrangements. The executive announced that in arriving at this decision it had considered that with the increasing membership, it was necessary to draw up a long-term policy in regard to building. The acquisition of this property will extend considerably the R.S.A. block of land in Tainui Street, the proposed new hall and club-rooms will be expanded, and it is expected that the dance-hall included in the new double-storeyed building will be the largest on the West Coast. It is understood that the price paid for the new property is in the vicinity of £9OO to £lOOO. The premises will be demolished.

The demolition of this building will remove another of Greymouth’s pione-er establishments. It has been used as a bake-house for over 70 years, although additions were made to the premises about 30 years ago. For most of the time, the bakery was operated by the late Mr. P. Blanchfield senr., and latterly by his son, Mr. P. Blanchfield junr. The present owner has bought a section in Guinness street between Mr. W. E. Pring’s office and Arthur’s Fruit Mart, and, following the demolition of the house at present on the section, a modern building will be erected. . There may be some delay to the carrying out of the plans for both the new bakery and the R.S.A. buildings as until a new place of residence can be found for the occupiers of the dwelling in Guinness street, no move can be made. ■