BLAKETOWN HALL

Grey River Argus, 6 December 1924, Page 2

BLAKETOWN HALL

SUCCESSFUL OPENING FUNCTION. The new Blaketown Citizens’ Hall, which was officially opened by the Mayor (Mr W. IL Parfitt) on Thursday evening, reflects the greatest credit on the district and is an example of what good work can be achieved by spontaneous community effort. Despite the boisterous weather, crowds of people made their way to the hall, and before the commencement of the function, there was scarcely standing room in the new building. The interior of the hall and stage were tastefully decorated with streamers, greenery and flags, which lent an air of beauty to the scene. Mr A. H. McKaiic, the (hairman of the Hall Committee, said he was very pleased to see such a large number of people assembled to witness the opening of the new hall. He thanked the residents of Blaketown and also the Greymouth supporters for their assistance and he wanted sincerely to thank the ladies. The Committee had workmi togerher without a hitch, and, although four months only had elapsed siiii-e the Committee took the project in band, the sum of £29(1 had been collected and the building erected. The suggestions from the ladies on the Buildihg Commit lee Jiad proved invaluable. Mu Me Kane also thanked Messrs Hodgkinson and A. Ad<lison for preparing the plans, and the builders, Messrs Clark and Dunk ley, for carrying '.»ut the xvork. so expeditiously. In eoricluling. Mr McKane said the Blaketown residents could congratulate theimudves on get ling in ahead of gas. water and electric light, as they had by their combined efforts got themselves a h; !l. He hoped th<- next progressive step would be the inauguration of eleelricirv. Mr James O’Brien, M.i’., congratulated the Bl.i<<('. 1 uxvn residents oji their community eftort in ei-ecling such a fine building to me-.o the growing requirements of Blaketown He (Air O Idicr.) '•'•lid he had i.e ii in i.mny Nexx- Zv;tland towns whidt suffered through lark of active co-operation and community eflort. on the part of tic inhabitants. Blaketown war an cx-eption, and. so was the little town of Ross, where the residents had all the conveniences through their oxvn efforts. He con- • ' Blaketown on lie. r fine sc. • beach, and suggested the planting of suitable trees on the seashore as a protection against the cold winds. If t'*is were .accomplished, Blaketown sxould be one of Ihr most desirable towns (>n the Coast. Ht 1 was agreeably surprised at rhe small cost (£l2) for th,- si'iits in the new hall. It show-ed what ecmld be achieved by combined eoinniiniity spirit, as otherwise the cost would have been £5O or £6O. He was certain that another few years would see a wonderful difference in Blaketow:i. and he hoped, in the future, to

see many an enjoyable meeting in t he new hall. (Applause ). the Mayor (Mr W. JI. Parfitt) tn.inked the C oiumittee for the‘honour they had ,lone him to open the hall, ami he hoped to have ’many a. similar inn,(ion to perform in Blaketown in the future. If was solely to community effort that the hall had been made possible and Blaketown deserved all the ooinl things Mr O'Brien had said 01 it. titnl Hie time was not far distant when the people front Grevmouth and the surrounding districts would he building seaside villas at Blaketown. Il'' (the Mayor) referred to the growing prosperity of Greymouth, and com-pa-ed the increase of building permits from the period of December 1922 to November 1923, the perttiits issued being 3.,,12;>, 'whereas tor the same period this year the permits issued were 57,- ■ >OO. a total for rhe two years of 90,025 permits. Gri-ymouth was growing rapidly and in a few years, they would have a population of 50,000 people. The Mayor then ,lonian ,1 the hall ol’tiTlie remain,|er of the evening was devoted to :: eom-ert consisting of xocat, instrumental and elocutionary items as follows:—Overture, Williams’s Orchestra; chorus, Marist Boys’ Choir (under Bro. Hendrick); song. Master J. Mcßreartv; step dttnee, Miss E. •McMinn; recitation, Master Alexander; comic song. Mr J . Smith; mandolin am| guitar duet; Messrs Yeadon ’"’d Limmit: recitation, Master G. Ilrown; song, Mr W. Dutishea; jnonologml. Miss M. Parfitt; and chorus, ' iris! Boys’ Choir.