GERALDINE VOLUNTEER HALL.

Timaru Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 3608, 24 April 1886, Page 3

GERALDINE VOLUNTEER HALL.

LAYING- THE FOUNDATION STONE. An event of some interest to the volunteers nnd general public of Gcraldino was performed on Thursday afternoon, namely, the laying of tho foundation etono of the now Volunteer Hall at Geraldino. It had been looked forward to with interest by the Geraldineites for some timo, and quite a largo number turned up to see tho ceremony performed. Shortly after three o'clock m the afternoon a detachment of tho Geraldine Rilles under the command of Lieutenant Ward inarched to the site of tho new hall, where it was seen everything was m readiness, and wore then drawn up m line on the side of tho road. Mrs Pearpoint had been chosen to perform tho pleasing duty, but was unavoidably absent through indisposition, and the duty therefore devolved on Mr R. H. Pearpoint, Chairman of the Town Board. Mr Pearpoint stepping forward said he had ft very pleasing duty that day to perform, namely, to lay tho foundation stone of the new Volunteer Hall. When the Geraldino Bifle3 started they were ho said, under a great disadvantage m having no proper drillshed to drill m ; they had only a small building. They recognised tho necessity of having a proper drillshed if they were to become efficient m their drill and had taken means to get a shed built, one of their most energetic supporters being Lieutenant Ward. Government had beon communicated with on tho subject, and the result was that they had now started to build the new shed, the foundation stone of which was to bo laid that day. They were not at present m a position to complete the hall, but with the aid of winter concerts which they intended 1 holding they hoped soon to be able to do so. After a few more words Mr Pearpoint laid tho foundation stone, at the same time placing m it lutest copies of the Tisiabif Hebald,

South Canterbury Times, and Geraldine Guardian. The Geraldine Rifles then fired a volley m honour and commemoration of the event, and m remarkably good time, after which Mr Pearpoint inv.ited all to drink to the health of the Geraldino Rifles, and coupled with the names of Lieutenant Ward, of the Geraldine Rifles, and Captain White, of the Timaru Rifles, proposed the toast " Success to the Geraldine Rifles and drill shed." The toast waß then drunk right royally. Lieutenant Ward returned thanks for the hearty manner m which the toast had been drank, and said as the hall would be opened with a grand concert all would attend, make the affair a success, and help forward bo good a cause. Captain White, m returning thanks, Baid it wbb indeed an unexpected pleasure to be present at such a pleasant ceremony. Ho did not m fact know it was to take place that morning. Ho felt honoured m being a volunteer, and m associating with such volunteers as the Geraldine Rifles, who wero,, ho said, commanded by one of the best officers m the colony. If the corps attended to its duties properly while under the efficient charge of Captain Moore, it would not, he thought, bo long beforo they would need a larger hall. Tho Geraldine Rifles were thought a deal of m South Canterbury, and justly bo. Their numbers on parade were large, and their conduct exemplary. Ho wished them every success, and that was a very great deal. Mr Pearpoint then proposed a vote of thanks to tho architect (Mr McKenzie) and the contractors (Messrs Clinch and Lloyd) for the way they had and wero doing their work, to which those gentlemen responded, and the proceedings then terminated. The hall when fiaishod will prove of great benefit both to volunteers and public alike m Geraldine. A suitable hall for holding concerts, theatricals, &c, m, has long been wanted m that township, and this hall will BUpply that want for somo time to como.