Otane’s Day.

Waipawa Mail, Volume L, Issue 101, 20 May 1929, Page 3

Otane’s Day.

Opening of the New Library Building. By the Hon. A. J. Stallworthy. INTERESTING FACTS OF THE EARLY DAYS. Saturday was indeed a red letter day in the history of Otane. It marked not only the official opening of the fine new building which has been erected to house the library, the Town Board, Bank of New Zealand branch office, doctors’ consulting room, Plunket room, and dental clinic, but also the first Ministerial visit to the town. In the morning Mr A. J. Stallworthy, Minister of Health, met a number of deputations, after which he was the guest of Mr and Mrs J. N. Barrie at dinner. The afternoon was devoted to the official opening of the building and later the Minister left on his return to Wellington.

Between three and four hundred persons had assembled in front of the building at 2 o’clock, the hour fixed for the opening ceremony. WELCOME TO THE MINISTER. Sir George Hunter, member for the district, opened the proceedings by extending a very cordial welcome, on behalf of the residents of Otane and surrounding district, to the Hon. Mr Stallworthy, Minister of Health, on the occasion of his first visit. The Minister’s presence, said Sir George, was an indication that he was taking a very real interest in matters affecting his department and the welfare of the people generally. He had attended, at considerable inconvenience, for the purpose of identifying himself with a movement that reflected the highest possible credit on the people of the district. The portfolio held by Mr Stallworthy was one of the most important in the Cabinet. as a nation’s welfare depended upon the health of its people. In conclusion, Sir George congratulated the Otane people on their progressive enterprise in erecting such a useful building, combining as it did the library, Town Board offices, doctors’ consulting room, accommodation for Plunket nurse and dental clinic, and with the Bank of New Zealand behind it. What more could be desired? Sir George also extended his hearty congratulations to the contractor, Mr James Ashby, on the excellence of his work, in which he had sacrificed his profit to give the people a real good job. THE EARLY DAYS. Mr J. N. Barrie, chairman of the Town Board and Library Committee, said the people were to be congratulated upon entering into possession of such a very' fine building. It was the pleasing result of hard work oyer a considerable period, and practically everyone in the town and district had contributed to it in some way or another. The building was the logical sequence to the efforts of the early settlers, who established a library some 46 years ago. From the original minute book of the committee he had been able to glean some in teresting information. The library was started in 1883 as the result of a meeting held on September 14th at the residence of Mr Merrylees. Fourteen persons were present, and Mr A. Dillon was voted to the chair. Unfortunately not one of those present at that meeting was alive today. Having decided to establish the library the committee wasted no time. Tenders were called for the erection of the building, and that of Mr Benouf, at £6B 4s 6d, was accepted. He handed the building over at the end of January. Mr James Tod was the first chairman of the committee, and Mr Popplewell (schoolmaster) was the first secretary. The site on which the library was built was donated by Mr H. S. Tiffen. For various reasons the library did not progress as it should have done, and in 1898 it was in the position of not being able to pay its way. In that year only four members paid their subscriptions. A number of generous citizens came to the rescue, and by donating £1 each cleared off the deficit. From that time the libraryhad never looked back, and to-day there were 70 subscribers on the books. Amongst those associated with the institution in the early days were Messrs C. Simmons (a member of the committee for 15 years, and never missed a meeting), C. Clark (chairman for 11 years), J. Merrylees, J. Fletcher (president for 10 years), J. C. Taylor (secretary for nine years), and A. G. Clark (secretary for eight years). On conclusion, Mr Barrie thanked the Hon. Mr Stall worthy for paying a special visit to the town for the purpose of performing the ceremony 7 of officially opening the new building. WORK OF THE PIONEERS. Mr Gilbert McKay said it was something like 40 years ago since he arrived in Kaikora, as it was called then. He plodded his way along until eventually he became chairman of the Town Board. On such an occasion as the opening of the new’ building it was good to have a thought for the splendid work done by the pioneers. The credit was not altogether due to the present generation, but to those who had laid the foundation fifty or sixty years ago. He was proud to have the privilege of being associated with the people of Otane on such an auspicious occasion. The district round Otane had great potentialities, and he hoped to see the township become a borough, but that would only come as the result of closer settlement. MINISTER’S ADDRESS.

of class, creed or politics, and in that, he felt sure, they would have the heartiest co-operation of the people. Those who lived in the country had reason to congratulate themselves. Under proper conditions the country life was ideal, and it was the aim of the present Government to improve the conditions raid thus stop the drift to the cities. The fact that such a fine composite building had been erected showed that the people of Otane were progressive and looked to the future, and he could promise them that Ihe Government would cooperate with them as far as it was possible to do so. It was very pleasing to get amongst people who were helping themselves. It showed a fine spirit of self-reliance. If the country had more of that spirit there would be less unemployment. Listening to the history of the birth and growth of the library it sounded to him like a romance. It showed that in 1883 the forbears of the people of Otane bad time to think, notwithstanding the difficulties and hard slogging work of the pioneering- days. The men and women of those days not only had time to think but they had time to read, for the development and culture of their minds. Then they had their financial difficulties, but the generoushearted men put their hands into their pockets, at a time when £1 meant a great deal more than it did to-day, and overcame those difficulties. Compare this with the extravagant conditions existing at the present time. If people would only be content to live the simple life many of the difficulties of the moment would disappear. Speaking directly to the boys and girls present the Minister urged them never to buy anything until they could afford to pay for it. The committee, Mr Stallworthy said, were fortunate in having as their secretary Mr J. J. Langridge, who had served 7 long years, and he was entitled to a real good round of applause. (This was heartily given on the call of the Minister. Then there was Mr •). N. Barrie, who had served 14 years, 10 years as chairman, and Mrs Barrie with 15 years’ service. It was a great credit to those who had worked for the erection of the building that it had been brought to such a successful issue, with a debt of only £3OO remaining. As Minister of Health he reminded the children that each one of them was building a house which they could never leave as long as they lived. It largely depended on them whether it was a sick house, a dirty house, or a healthy, virile house. He exhorted them to build worthily and well, and make it a pleasant place to live in, grow to hate an unclean thought as they would hate poison. In conclusion the Minister called for three hearty cheers for those who had worked so hard in the interests of the town, and the call was warmly responded to. UNVEILING THE TABLET.

Mr Stallworthy then unveiled the commemorative tablet placed on the front of the building, saying: “I most earnestly pray that this building- will fulfil its destiny, and inspire the young people to take their part in promoting the progress and prosperity of the Dominion and of the Empire of -which we are all so proud. ’ ’ The inscription on the tablet reads: — “This building, erected by public effort, was opened by the Hon. A. J. Stallworthy, on Saturday, May 18th, 1929.- J. N. Barrie, chairman. J. J. Langridge, secretary. J. Ashby, designer and builder.” Mr Ashby then presented the Minister with a gold key, suitably inscribed, as a memento of the occasion. Addressing the assemblage, Mr Ashby said the men were not entitled to all the credit for getting the new building. They had been extremely fortunate in having a most energetic ladies’ committee, who had done magnificent work. The building was then thrown open to the public for inspection, and the Minister took advantage of the opportunity to pay a visit to St. Hilda’s. Home. He expressed himself as delighted with the institution, and promised a donation of £2 2s. Tea was served by the Otane ladies to all and sundry in the Town Hall, and this afforded an opportunity for the Minister to meet many of the residents, after which he left by car on his return to 'Wellington.

The Hon. Mr Stallworthy, who was warmly applauded on stepping forward to address the gathering, said he deemed it a great privilege to have the honor of representing the Government on such an occasion. He had not been selected for the honor because he was the best looking man in the Cabinet. There were, he said, no supermen in the Ministry, but they were all doing their best in the interests of the country, irrespective