BIG CROWD AT CARDIFF

Taranaki Daily News, 6 June 1930, Page 10

BIG CROWD AT CARDIFF

NEW SUPPER ROOM OPENED. A MEMORABLE OCCASION. “The work accomplished by the peoSle of Cardiff is a distinct tribute to his district and reflects wonderful credit upon their energy, foresight and ability to co-operate with one another. Nevertheless, but little would have resulted had this energy not been directed in the right channels and had the district not possessed a type of leadership at once efficient and far-seeing.” In these words Mr. C. A. Wilkinson, M.P., summed up the spirit of the Cardiff district at the official opening of the commodious new supper room recently attached to the public hall. Mr. "Wilkinson went on to say that the establishment in the first place of a hall such as they had at Cardiff was a policy none could cavil at. A good hall, was, in fact, a social necessity, for. it constituted a common meeting ground round which centred the activities and amusements of the settlers and their families. Even as in the olden days the first consideration of the Maoris had been the erection of their meeting houses, so to-day a district was known by its hall and the reputation of those in charge.

The great crowd assembled that evening had-seen the splendid new supper room and the modern kitchen,' they had danced on the glossy floor and/had partaken of the hospitality of the ladies’ committee. Thus they' were in a. better position to judge the merits of the high name accorded the district because of its entertainments and hospitality. Mr. Wilkinson referred to the financial side of a public undertaking and maintaining of a large hall in a country district, and extended congratulations tJ the committee, especially the chairman (Mr. 0. A. Marchant) and secretary (Mr. H. B. Limmer), to whose keen business ability and popularity much of the success could be attributed. The speaker also commended those responsible for the beautiful decorations, the laying out of the supper, tables and the general- conduct of the function.’ There were nearly 300 people thronging the- brightly lit and gaily decorated ha'll, the occasion being celebrated by a brilliant ball. Festooned above the dancers were hundreds of streamers of blending colours. Coloured lights and gay balloons hung from the canopy or peeped timidly through interlacing decorations. The new supper room was also a pleasant sight with similar decorations to . the main hall; while laden tables sparkled with flowers, silverware, glassware and cutlery. Boulton’s dance band occupied the stage. Mr. A. O’Sullivan was master of ceremonies, but had little to worry about as the evening was crisp and cold enough to send couples eagerly to the floor. The proceedings were directed by Mr. C. A. Marchant, chairman of the-hall committee, who at a later stage introduced Mr. Wilkinson and gave a brief account of the history of the hall and the financial success that had attended the efforts of the committee.