NEW HALL AT PURANGI

Taranaki Daily News, 23 August 1930, Page 11

NEW HALL AT PURANGI

SUCCESSFUL OPENING DANCE. A large and festive gathering was present at; the opening function of the new Purangi Hall last night, dancers coming from Stratford Inglewood, Urenui and the surrounding district. The new hall, an iron building about 35 feet square with an excellent dancing floor, was decorated gaily with yellow and green streamers and suspended balloons of similar colours. Around the - walls was a massed array of nikau and punga fronds which turned the hall into' a pleasant arbour. Delightful music for the gaily garbed dancers in their varied fancy costumes was played by an orchestra consisting of Mrs. J. S. Fletcher, Messrs. C. Hodge and Hughes. Extras were. played by Mr. and Mrs. R. G. Marsh, Stratford. The hall was officially opened by Mr. N. B. Fletcher, who spoke on behalf of Mrs. Campbell, one of the oldest settlers of the Purangi district, who was unable to be present. Miss Campbell took her. place in the ceremony and was presented with a bouquet by little Alica Fletcher and with a silver key. Mr. Fletcher introduced Mr. C. Rumball, the first settler to the Purangi district 40 years ago.

The Purangi sports club, of which he was president, said Mr. Fletcher, had' had a inumber of successful years and raised Enough money to purchase material for the hall. He paid a tribute to the work of Mr. W.< Bertrand, who had drawn the plans, chosen the timber and supervised the erection of the building. The construction work was completed by voluntary labour in seven days. The hall had cost £l5O. The finances of the hall were, to be controlled by a ladies’ committee with Mrs. Bertrand as chairwoman. This had proved a very' successful appointment and. he W’as sure it would be for the ultimate good of the district. He emphasised the social benefits of having a hall in the district to bring the people together and promote good feeling. Mr. C. Rumball said it gave him great pleasure to be present at the function. In the early days things were very different. There was oniy a track from Inglewood to Tarata and from then on to Purangi there was not even a track. He mentioned that on one occasion he had swum the river from Ngatoro- to Purangi in preference to taking : the tedious route Over the hills. The “fancy costumes, were judged by Mesdames H. Larsen, C. Webb and S. George.’ -'. The prizes were presented by Mrs. S. George as follows: —First ladies’, Miss Una Webb; first men’s, .Mr. L. Burke; special prize given by Mrs. St. George (Pukeho), Mrs. Crowhurst; children’s prize, special donated by Mrs. H. Larsen (Matau), Miss Alicia and Ray Fletcher.

The master of ceremonies was Mr. S. H. Crowhurst, and the doorkeeper Mr. I. Webb. The ladies’ committee consisted of Mesdames W. Bertrand, H. Watkins, J. Caldwell, 8. Crowhurst, A. Campbell and Miss R. Mounsey. The men’s committee was Messrs. W. Bert--rand (chairman), I. Webb, S. Crowhurst, J. 8. Fletcher, J. Caldwell, L. Burke, A. Caldwell, H. Watkins, A. J. Webb, R. Watkins, W. Grey, J. Mmuiscy and B. Corkill.