OTAIKA

Northern Advocate, 2 November 1931, Page 2

OTAIKA

(From Our Own Correspondent.) Hall Meeting. The first annual public meeting in connection with" the Otaika Hall was held in that building on Wednesday evening, when there was a good attendance of local residents. Mr E. Vyle occupied tiro chair. In presenting the annual report, the secretary, .Mr A. Burton, said the committee wished to have the continued sympathy and interest of the public in hall affairs. The. first definite step towards erecting the building, he said, was made by the local Women’s Institute, which convened a public meeting on February 17, 1930. Since that date three further public meetings had been held. The committee had met IS times, including five times informally. The members had all been very keen and assiduous in their duty, and it was interesting to note that 09 formal resolutions had become

operative. The committee now consisted of twelve members, including:—Mr E. Vyle (chairman); Mr H. Poolman, (deputy-chairman and treasurer); Mr A'. Burton, (secretary); Messrs A, Tavinor, J. Lord, C. Pigott (snr), C. Wright, G. Hilton and T. Marsh (jnr). The following ladies acted as an emergency committee; Mcsdamcs H. North and E. Litt, and Miss M, Dnnwoodie. Since the official opening of the ball in November last, it had been used for weekly Sunday school and Bible Class purposes, for church services and Christian Endeavour meetings. Dances organised by the hall committee. numbered 19, while several other dances and social functions had been given by various people. One political meeting had been held, bringing the total number of times the ball had been used to 123.

A stage, for which timber was kindly donated by Messrs McQueen Brothers, had been erected, and a driveway to the front door metalled. The section on which the building stands had been re-cleared by a few members who responded to the call for a working bee. The hope was expressed that future appeals for assistance would result in large bands assembling, for many hands made light work. The committee’s sacrifice of both ■working’ hours and pleasuretime should be met by a hearty response as an appreciation of their efforts. The committee specially ■wished to place on record the financial assistance given by the local bachelors and a resolution to that effect had been placed in the minute book. The Women’s Institute gave the hall fund i\ great help at the beginning, and the bachelors had followed the lead in splendid style. The secretary remarked on the wonderful work carried out by the chairman, Mr E. Vyle. The district was fortunate in having such a good, levelheaded business man at the head of its most important venture. The secretary’s report was adopted, after which the treasurer’s report and balance-sheet wore read by Mr H. T’oolman. This showed an excellent balance on the credit side.

Special inontion was made of the former secretary, Mrs Lord, and high tribute was paid to her splendid work, also to that of Mrs North. Hearty votes of thanks were accorded to the ladies of the committee.

Comments, criticism and suggestions were thou invited but no discussion ensued, the general feeling of the meeting being that the members of the committee, individually and collectively, Had accomplished a remarkable amount of work in such a short space of time, and deserved great credit for the manner in which 'they had worked. The superintendent of the Sunday School, Mrs Poolman, requested that some seats of a .movable nature be provided, .as money for the purpose of forming the nucleus of a fund for the purchase <of seats had been donated by the Women’s Institute when went into recess. The committee agreed to do what was possible. It was decided to hold an anniversary ball annually to commemorate the opening of the building. The business part of the meeting closed with a vote of thanks to the chair. The remainder of the evening was happily spent in dancing, with an interval for supper, which was kindly provided by the ladies. Several songs were sung, the singers being Mrs Kites tt and Messrs George Pairama and Ngaro Komene. Excellent danco music was supplied by Miss E. Brewis and Air P. Alec, of Portland, with extras by Afr G. Edge (junior).