PORT PUBLIC HALL.

Colonist, Volume XXII, Issue 2600, 13 September 1879, Page 1 (Supplement)

PORT PUBLIC HALL.

The new building at the corner of Eussell street and Haven road, known as the Port Public Hall, was. opened on Aug. 27, by one of the most successful tea' meetings that has ever been held in Nelson. After the tables were cleared, Captain Cross, his Lordship the Bishop of Nelson, the Bey. B. Baviu, the Bey. J, Beckenham, Mr J. Garrard, Mr Pownall, and other gentlemen occupied the platform. Captain Cross, on taking the chair, said: Ladies and-gentlemen,—It affords me much pleasure to preside at this meeting, not because of its social character, but because it is a gathering to comjnemorate the opening of this hall. lam sure yort Order is to be congratulated on the success of its efforts for the erection of a building which is a credit to all concerned and quite an ornament to the .Port. I have taken great interest in its erection, ; as it reminded me of the time when, 38 years ago, .1 landed on this very spot, which was then in its •virgin state, covered with trees and ferns. Time jhas brought with it many changes, and by the industry of the settlers, trees and ferns have .disappeared, giving place to houses, railways, wharves, and, other improvements; and although our,"advancement has not been so rapid as in other New Zealand cities, people cannot accuse us of being behind the age. I will not detain you.ylthany^ more remarks, although I could .recount many incidents, but wish the Good Templar Order every ;success in the noble work of rescuing those unfortunates who are slaves to that which has slain its •thousands, and trust that the Port Public Hall will :always -be-used for good purposes. The Choir, trader the leadership of Mr C. Lucas, ■gang the National Anthem, after which the Chairman •declared the Hall open for•»pub' ;.o purposes. ; The iolloving musical programme, was then presented, :and-the aud-musicians -were greeted Mlt> deserving applause:— „ E ..„'•.•■>'■ CJhobus—Lordly Gallants'—Messrs Garrcjd Gibson, Horton, and Lucas. ; . '.-,•-. > Song —; .Jessie's Dream" .• — t- .Miss Gray Duett—Two Cousins—Mrs Stevenson & Miss Gray goNd.'— The Iron Blacksmith — Mr Joseph Garrard Dokti—Larboard Watch—Messrs Glove.' & Gibson Selections by a Sibing Band, Mr C. Leaper, leader Cnoßtic-rHan Smiling Morn- Messrs Garni.;, Lucas ■'•' :|Hoi-tpn,aad Gibson. ' " „; Song — Won't you tell why Bobin Miss Lockerby Duett—The sun will shina to-morrow—Miss Gray .■• ; ' .••';■ and'Mies Gibson,, ■ , ' PtTETT—AUJs well-^Bev. B. Bavin and Mv Garrard Sons — The Wishing' Cap — Mrs Stevenson Bono..—.The British Lion, — Mr Joseph Garrard ChobuS—Ye Shepherds tell me—Messrs Garrard, . - Horton, Gibson, and Lucas. ':. SMKOTIONB ■ — ■—■ -—' By the-Stmno Band, - Mr T. E. Murphy and Mi»s j. Edwards each gave .an excellent .reCiit^tion, l i .; 1 :3;.j, ,:, : v. . Mr I. Piekard stated that'the Hall had ;cpst about. JC4SO. The sum 0! £170 had been borrowed, and

£90 was wanted besides, so there was an opportunity for any generous person to aid tho work. The Hall as a building was a credit to the workmanship of Mr John Scott, Mr John M'Artney, Mr James Graham, and other Nelson tradesmen. The Rev. E. Bavin, the Eev.. J. Beckenham, and his Lordship the Bishop of Nelson gave earnest, and eloquent addresses. His Lordship concluded by reciting the following lines :— Come hither and join with ghesome delight, Our friends at the Port on their opening night, Let each, one aud all, respond to the call And hasten to open the Port Public Hall. . It is ready and handy, its portals are wide, Within'reach of all it is by the roadside, , A boon to tho neighbors to have within call, So well planned a room as the Port Public Hall. More room for the coming ! The Bethel, in its day . Has been of great usefulness in its own way, Like Jacob at Bethel, that building Vithal Two bands has become with the Port Public Hall. . This fane to sobriety, purity, truth, • ■. We consecrate thus in the interests of .youth, Nojribald remark, no words which appall, ,'• • Shall ever be^heard inlthe Port Public Hall. "JWe'll now and then hearken with listening 'ears, V r When fluent and sensible Bavin'appears, Or be stirred by activity's heart-thrilling call When Beckenham speaks at the Port Public Hall. Our children shall lessons of "piety learn, . . As over and over their Bibles they turn ;.' ' ■ Their young Superintendent, the teachers and all, Will far better teach in the Port Public Hall. .-.. Here perhaps, who shall say, some sorrow will find A peace and. repose, and a comfort of mind, A release from those fetters th' intemperate enthrall, By joining the Lodge at the Port Public Ha".. There are Freemen without, and Freemen within, One'just going out, one just coming in, - ' Tis the place for all freemen, their one place of call; Aye a Freeman you'll find in the Port Public Hall. Hail emblem of progress!' Hail germ of delight 1 A trysting place this of the battle for Right; Long, live the Directors, subscribers, and all ■ J Who have added a nail ;to the Port Public Ha 11.,. Captain Cross he presides as our helmsman to-iiight," Pronounces her beams, timbers, joists fastened . right, ■ ; ... ■-. -, Gives the word of command, and down we will haul To the' ocean of action the Port, Public Hall. God bless all our efforts, God sanction our work; ■Until all is completed, no efforts we'll shirk— . So a blessing to many—a comfort to-all — i In years that are coming, the Port Public Hall. Votes of thanks were given to the ladies, who presided at the tea tables, to Mr Pownall, Mr Henry Hounsell, the members of the String Band, Mrs Fairey, Mr GarrsrH. and the speakers. The friends who had given £60 in donations were especially thanked. On the vote of thanks being accorded to the Chairman, the.large assemblage ; gave a number' of enthusiastic'cheers for Captain Cross and his family. ' ' .; : "■'■■' The collection made amounted to £9 17s. 4d. . Messrs. Pickard, Murphy, Simpson, sen., Rowell, Stringer, Atkinson, Dayman,, and J. Calder are tobe congratulated that their arduous labors have been •rowned with success in securing such a neat, commodious, and convenient Hall for the Port, i