BRUCE BAY HALL

Grey River Argus, 10 February 1938, Page 2

BRUCE BAY HALL

SUCCESSFUL OPENING BALL Despite an exceptionally heavy rainfall on Saturday that flooded the many rivers in the Bruce Bay district and torrential rain during the evening the new hall, recently constructed by the Public Works Department, at Bruce Bay, was appropriately opened when the “Opening Ball” in aid of the Bruce Bay Tennis Court was held. Undaunted by the rain and of even the possibility of having to await daylight before attempting the return journey, many dancers travelled some miles for the occasion. An orchestra of six instruments, Mrs H. Thompson (piano), Messrs H. Thompson, W. Wilson (violins), J. Cain (trombone), P. Devlin (clarinet) and A. Treboar (drums), with Messrs S. Thomas and F. Campbell, masters of ceremonies, kept the dancing' going at a merry pace throughout the evening. Popular items were also played by Messrs H. Morton ! and H. Broqme. A delightful sit-down supper was served by a well organised committee, consisting of Mr H. Thompson (president), Mesdames H. Thompson, J. Condon, H. Chamberlain,’ Messrs H. Bright, P. Dale, S. Thomas, P. Patterson, C. Cunard and T. Crowe (secretary). After supper had been served the hall was officially declared opened. Mr H. Thompson (P.W.D. engineer), who extended a welcome to the visitors and expressed regret that flooded rivers had prevented a good many visitors from Weheka and Saltwater, from attending their first ball. On behalf of them all he wish-, ed to sincerely thank Mr A. Lawn, of Hokitika, far the very handsome donation of a piano They appreciated this genuine action and one and all regretted that Mr Lawn .was unable to get through to Bruce Bay for their initial function. Mr Thompson then declared the hall open. Messrs R Smith (manager of . the Bruce Bay Sawmilling Co.), A. Treloar (assistant engineer) and J. Anderson (on behalf of the visitors), expressed their admiration of the new hall, and wished those present many happy social gatherings within its walls. Amonsst those present were: Mesdames Thompson, Condon, Sutton, Le Compte, Koeti, Nixon, McLiskey, Swale, Ballantyne, Scott, Mahuika senr.. McLaren, Mahuika junr., Wilson, Dryden (2), Gilsenan, Rochford, Elsteste, Chamberlain, Wright, Murley and Cain. Misses McLiskey, Sutton, Kennedy and Thompson. > Messrs Wilson (4). Henderson, Cain, Thompson, Treloar, Broome, Dale, Jones, ftynes, Hagan, Kelly (2), McDonald. Sutton. Le Compte, Parker Smart. Patterson. Anderson, Copipersmith, Condon (2), O’Connor, McCauldron, Smith (2). Scott, Cunningham, Thomas, Smythe. Bell, Rees, Glass, Morton, Hinton, Lowe. McGregor, Denton, Austin. Muir, Crowe, Prdndergast. Black, Newman, McMillan, Davidson, Adams l Jones (2), Fahey, O’Donnell, Begbie, Moye, Robertson, Buchanan, Rochford, Jeffries, McQuilkan, Cairns, Joyce, Whear, Blank, McDiarmid, Brown, Arnott, Eidenstrom, Campbell, Dale, Stewart, Crowe, Bissell, Chapman, Palmer, Buchanan. ■ During the evening Mr Thompson, on behalf of the P.W.D. employees, and Bruce Bay residents, presented Mr A. Treloar with a wallet of notes prior to his departure to the Buller Gorge railway construction. The happy event concluded in the early hours of the morning, with cheers for the orchestra, and the singing of “Auld Lang Syne.’’