RAUMAI HALL.

Manawatu Times, Volume LXV, Issue 657, 5 March 1909, Page 2

RAUMAI HALL.

| A SUCCESSFUL OPENING. Tlie opening of the Raumai Hall provided a very enjoyable function. The need of a iiall has been felt for some time ami so a number of pnblioj spirited residents Bet to work to raise the money. Mr Owen Russell generously presented a site. A company with a provisional directorate consisting of Messrs D. 0. MoOarthy (chairman), G. and W. Hunt, W. HoweH, M. Houlihan, A. E. Buxton, A. Ihlien, M. McKenzie, and J. Newton, set about getting the money and the hall was ereoted by Oriohton Brothers and Endie, of Paimerston, for £3OO. It is 60 x 32 feet. Great preparation were made for the opening concert, social, and danoe, and the affair proved a deoided snocess. Vocalists oame from as far as Wellington aud Paimerston, and the dnnoers were from all parts of the district. Mr J. J. Lynch was secretary. The directors and Mr Russoll worked like bricks, and a ladies' committee, with Mrß Newton presiding, qontributed a splendid supper. The first item on the programme was by the ABhlmist Band, then oatno a song by Mr Dick Bailey, o! Raumai. followed by Mrs J. B. Wilton, Mr T. G. Rogers, of Palmerston, Miss McKeoweh, of Wellington, Miss Patten, of Ashlmrst, Mr Ourreen, of Ashhurst, Mr Rea and Mr H. Urquliart, of Rnamai, and Mrs Newton (who brought down the house with a oomic song in character), Misses Foster, Mr J. Wilson, and Messrs J. Nowfcon and Loatham, Wellington, who gave a oomio duet excellently. There was also a whistling duet by Messrs Coles and Laroomb. Ihere was vociferous applause

for the various items which comprised an excellent.ooncert. Accompaniments were played by Mr Butoliffe, Mrs McKenzie, Mjiss Bailey, MissKat'e Spellman contributed a well played piano solo. Musio for thedance was contributed by Mr and Miss Curreen, and extras by Miss Foster. So well has the movement been worked up thatjtho district now possesses a commodious hall with a good stage and there only remains £IOO of debt on it, which a few entertainments should easily wipe away.