NEW HALL OPENED AT CLIFTON

Southland Times, Issue 24165, 29 June 1940, Page 3

NEW HALL OPENED AT CLIFTON

SUCCESSFUL FUNCTION LAST EVENING

The official opening of a new hall at Clifton took place last evening before a large attendance. The building is a substantial one and was built at a cost of £6OO, and is valued at almost £lOOO. It is built of bricks purchased by the hall committee from the Woodend dairy

| factory when it ceased to operate some time ago and much of the labour in the erection of the building was given voluntarily by residents of the district. The building is situated on the corner of Bain street and Avon road, and the sight on which it has been erected was given by Miss Peace and Mr J. Peace. Mr H. Smith, chairman of the hall committee, asked Mrs M. Kelly to officially open the building. He said that Mrs Kelly was one of the oldest residents of the district, was the wife of the late Mr John Kelly, who was the first white child born in Invercargill—--84 years ago. Mrs Kelly arrived at Clifton from Glasgow 64 years ago and it could be truly said that she was one of the pioneer women of New Zealand. For the last 47 years she had lived at Clifton, while she was also in the district some years previously Mrs Kelly unlocked the main door and declared the hall officially open. She was later presented by Miss E. McKenzie with a bouquet. , Mr J. Dale congratulated the people of Clifton on obtaining such a solid buildin;: and he thanked the workers who had given up so much of their spare time. It was a substantial building and would be an asset to the district. He hoped that when functions were held in the hall in future there would be good attendances and that the hall would soon pay for itself. The remainder of the evening was spent in dancing. Messrs G. McDermott and W. Gregory were the masters of ceremonies.