RANGITATA.

Timaru Herald, Volume CVII, Issue 16447, 19 January 1918, Page 9

RANGITATA.

SOLDIERS' MEMORIAL HALL. OPENING CEREMONY. A large gathering of Rangitata residents and visitors from the surrounding districts assembled 1 on Thursday evening to witness _ the official opening of the new Soldiers' Memorial Hall. Mr Yates, in the absence of Mr G. Cain, introduced Mr D. Grant, chairman of the Temuka Road Board, and called on him to open the hall. Mr J. J. Ellis, another member of the Road Board, was also present, Mr G. Smart sanding an apology.' Mi- Grant said it gave him great pleasure -to be present at the ceremony of opening a very fine building. When the Rangitata Committee approached the Road Board, for funds to build it, rho Board gave them every consideration, and* from too bequest left by the late T. Hobson were able to guarantee a substantial sum. The late T. Hobson was a hard working man and a good sport. When he died he left his money for the purpose of building balls, libraries, etc., for recreation purpose?. He complimented the Rnngitata people on baving such a fine hall. It was a 'credit to the district.- Mr Grant then declared the hall open and invited the people to enter. A concert (arranged by Mr Trott) was then proceeded with, Mr Yates presiding.. Motions of sympathy were passed to the relatives of the late Mr H. McClelland, and with Mr G. Cain in the loss of his wife, Mr Yates pointing out that the district had lost two respected residents. _The proceedings opened with the National. Anthem, after which Mr Yates in a brief address said this waa , red letter day for Rangitata. They r.ow had one of the finest halls in South Canterbury. Thanks are due to the contractor and sub-contractor for their well-finished work, and also to Mr E. McDonald, the energetic secretary, for his,great efforts in collecting a-nd in many other ways helping the Work along. Ho deserved special mention. _A choicfe concert programme was given by Mesdames Morgan, Cameron. Misses Bates and Sogers, Messrs Trott, Knibb, Salmon and Morgan. Every item on the bill was encored. During an interval a Roll of Honour board, which was hung on the wall just above the stage, was unveiled by Mr J. J. Ellis, in the absence of Col. Mackenzie,| who was to perform the ceremony but had to send an apology Mr Ellis made touching reference to the young men who had given their lives for the Empire. The following names appeared ou the board:—

T. G. Yates, Gallipoli, 25-4-15. A- Talke (particulars unknown). R. O'Neill. Gallipoli, 6-S-15. L. W. Hill,. France, 21-9-16. J. T. Hearn, France, 13-6-17. J. A. Tate, France, 21-8-17. " On the top of the board were the following words:—"ln memory of the Rangitata, -soldiers who fell in the Great War." Mr E. McDonald read the following statement:— Dr.—Contract, hall £535, Government section £8 10s, charges '-registration committee lis. fence materials and furniture £2l 18s 6d, interest ■£1,83 IQs; total, £6G9 9s 6d. Cr—Cash donations £125 0s 6d, grant from Hobson Trust (spread orer ten years) £450, .cash to be earned from reserve for next ten vears £9l 9s; total £669 9s 6d. The hall has been insured for £450, and the furniture for £25 (premium £2 2s 9d per annum). ' Tho committee assisted by residents did all carting freo of charge—7o tons of bricks, 50 tons of shingle, and also all timber. The hau is built of brick, and has an iron roof. On tho outside of tm. hall, above a sft by sft porch, are tinwords "Rangitata Soldiers" 1 Memorial Hall." Tho main hall is 50 feet by 2-1 feet; a 4 feet dado runs round the hall, a_r\d above this tho walls arc plastered. At the end is a platform IS feet by 8 feet. Ample light is supplied by casement windows, three on each side. , There is seating' accommodation for about 240 people. Tho seals are well made, and were the work of some Rangitata residents. At the rear of the lull there is a ladies' loom, 15 feet by V2 feet, fitted with cupboard, etc. At tho other side is a. men's room, 14J feet by 10 feet, and just off tho ladies' room is a cloak ; room IS feet by 4 feet, well fitted. ! Tho hall can be used for miniature riflo shooting, and part of the stage fan bo shifted to let two men fire at tho same time, the range being 70 feet. Tho contractor was Mr F. Trott, Geraldine, who also designed tho building, and Mr H. Berry was sub-contractor for tho brick and plaster work, and the completed work does them every credit.