GOOD TEMPLARS HALL.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2061, 12 August 1875, Page 2

GOOD TEMPLARS HALL.

On Monday next the building once known as the Star Hotel at the junction of Mary and Pollen streets, but now converted into the Good Templar Hall, will be opened by the G.W.C.T,, W. J. Speight. Before proceeding to .particularise the great improvements which hare taken place, we may briefly state that it was mainly—if not entirety—owing to the e.xertions of Mr Cocks, and the interest evinced by him in the matter, that the Good Templars can congratulate themselves oa having a hall of their own, instead of being obliged to hold their meetings where they could, at one time in the Masonic Hall, at another in the Earaka schoolroom. To Mr Cocks the thanks of the lodges are most undoubtedly, due, for having at' considerable trouble and risk bought the whole property as it then stood for £167, in order that the Good Templars might have a hall of their own. The purchase having, after considerable trouble, been completed, Mr Cocks offered the Hall to the various Lodges, and the. Star of the Thames, Northern Pioneer, and Temple severally became bound jFor the amount of two years' rent each, making in all £107 10s. Four other gentlemen, Messrs. Carpenter, Nicholls, Dewar and t)ibble joinedMr Cocks in becoming responsible for £he remainder of the money, and the amount necessary for the removal of the Hall to its present position, and alterations, &c, which, with the sum guaranteed by the lodges, have been effected at a cost, not far short of £300. The allotment on which the Hall is built has a frontage of 146 feet to Eolleston street and 145 feet to the Kara.ka Road, with a depth of 92 feet in the line of Mary street. The building is entered either from the Karaka Road or from Rolleston street. At the Eolleston street entrance, there is a porch with double doors, admitting to the large Hall or principal room of the" building, which is forty feet in length, by thirty in width, and fifteen and a half feet in height. The walls are wainscoted to the height of about four feet, arid lighted by two handsome chandeliers of four jets each from the roof, as well as' by lights at the sides. On either side of the passage (twelve feet by six) which leads to the Karaka Road is a smaller room; the one on the left going out is intended for a library and reading room, and is 12 feet by 14 ; the one on the right .which has an entrance- into the hall itself, is 12 feet square, and will be used as a committee or ante „• room; both these rooms will be lined and papered. At the back of the Hall is a, separate building twelve feet by eight, which will be fitted i up with boilers and other necessaries to ! make it available for tea meetings or similar gatherings. The space between the walls has been filled with.sawdust, and the whole improvements, including the shifting of the building itself, have beeniinost: ably carried out] by the contractor Mr Flatt. The Gas Company have kindly presentied a lamp-post and erectedil; at the'corner of Mary streetj so that on dark nights others than Good Templars will have cause to bless the new Hall; Th 6 Hall itself willi as:we^hav6 said, be opened on Monday next, and on Tuesday, 24th, ai musical soiree, and! entertainment will take place.