NATIVE TOWN HALL, KAIAPOI.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 3799, 18 June 1880, Page 4

NATIVE TOWN HALL, KAIAPOI.

The opening of the new Town Hall or "runanga" afc tho Kaiapoi pah took place yesterday, when there was a good attendance of Natives and others to mark this advanced step in civilisation. The building is situate in a prominent position in the pah, and immediately in front of tho building hitherto used by the Natives as their meeting-houee, with which it compares very favourably in point of ventilation and light. It has been built in European Btylo, and is to be furnished with Beats, so that tho old-fashioned method of squatting on tbo floor will for the futuro be abolished. The room is 60 x 20ft, and being decorated asit was yesterday for the occasion, it looked quito gay. Tho proceedings commenced with a short Episcopalian service in the Native tongue, conducted by the Bey J. W. Stack, and the musical portion waa well executed by fche school children, showing fchat they continued to advance in that branch of their education. Afterwards thero was a cold luncheon laid in the room by Mr Burnip, of Kaiapoi, and there was a largo assemblage to partako of tho well Btockod table. The chair was taken by the Rev J. W. Stack, who was supported by the Roy H. C. M. Watson and several European ladies and gcntlemon. At tho conclusion of tho meal, the rev Ohairman addressed tho natives presont, and urged the::* to follow in the footsteps of the founder of tlieir seotion of tho settlouiont, viz., Ko Tuahuriri, and exhorted t hem, with their present suporior advantages, to be in liko manner good to their friends and neighbours. Tho ovoning waa then spent in dancing, which was looked forward to with eager anxiety by the young peoplo. Tho hall has cost tho natives about £250, and was built by Mr Salkold of Woodend, nnd is calculated to comfortably seat 300 persons. During tho day Mr Popo, Government Inspector of Nativo Bchools, attondod, and aftor completing his inspection of tho school and premises, expressed himsolf highly gratified at the stato of efficiency ovinced in the

school, and complimented Mr and Mrs Reeves on fche result of their assiduous effort a.

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