KIHIKIHI’S ELECTRIC LIGHT

Waipa Post, Volume XX, Issue 1139, 8 September 1921, Page 5

KIHIKIHI’S ELECTRIC LIGHT

SWITCHING-ON CEREMONY.

BRILLIANT ILLUMINATIONS

GRAND SOCIAL AND DANCE,

The long-looked for ceremony of the switching-on of the hydro-electric light at Kihikihi eventuated last Tuesday, and the town, which has hitherto been in darkness was brilliantly illuminated. The official ceremony was timed for 7.30 p.m., but long before that hour peopleassembled in the main street, and the Kihikihi Town Band, augmented by members of the Te Awamutu Municipal Band, under the conductorship of Mr A. Newsome, played choice selections of music to the enjoyment of a large assembly. Kihikihi was en fete.

Outside the Town Hall, where the official ceremony took place, a large and representative company gathered. Much time and attention had been devoted to the illumination qf the Town Hall, both inside and out, and when the “ pressing the button” was operated by Mrs F. F. Hockly, the change was indeed a welcome one — light came and the scene was brilliant.

Assembled on the steps outside the hall were Mr J. G. Sutherland, chairman of the Kihikihi Town Board, and a member of the Te Awamutu Electric Power Board, who .presided ; Mr and Mrs F. F. Hockly, the mayor and mayoress of Te Awamutu (Mr and Mrs L. G. Armstrong), Mr J. T. Johnson, chairman of • the Te Awamutu Electric Power Board. Mr Sutherland, in a short and tactful speech, said Ladies and gentlemen, we have been in darkness long enough. I now have pleasure in asking Mrs Hockly to turn on the light. N Mrs Hocklyxthen gracefully carried out that little act, and immediately the whole town, with the hall, was changed. Darkhess gave place to light. The switching-on ceremony was the occasion of an outburst of applause.

The chairman then (on behalf of the Kihikihi Town Board and the committee who organised that function) formally welcomed Mr and Mrs Hockly, the mayor- and mayoress of Te Awamutu and Mr J. T. Johnson chairman of the Electric Power Board) whom they were all pleased to see present , that night. The occasion, said the speaker, was a memorable one in the history of Kihikihi. He then called upon Mr Hockly, M.P., to address them. In expressing the pleasure of Mrs Hockly and himself at being present Mr Hockly said the occasion was a most important and auspicious event. There is no question .that the event marked a new era —it "was a red letter clay as far as Kihikihi was concerned. The speaker then briefly referred to the steps taken by the Government to purchase the Hora Hora power plant, and paid a tribute to the energies shown by those in this district for the way in which the administration and development of the duly constituted Power Board had been so successfully accomplished. With the advent of electricity in the towns he hopefully looked forward to the time when those in the country districts would share in the advantages of electric light and power in the home, and also the farm. In this connection he trusted the duties of the women folk in the home would be lighter, for “if it wa s not for our women we would be very small potatoes indeed,” said the speaker, amid laughter and applause. Kihikihi, continued Mr Hockly, was the oldest town in the Waikato, and now that it had taken /this progressive step by providing the town with light he predicted that it would in the future become a residential centre. He expressed the best of good wishes and every prosperity for them all. (Applause). Mr Johnson, in an optimistic speech, after referring to the occasion as being one to add to the history of Kihikihi, paid a high tribute to the chairman, and to the progressive spirit he had shown, not only as chairman of the Town Board but as a member of the Power Board representing that district, and also the Rangiaohia Road Board District. In these capacities he had shown a progressive spirit. Mr Johnson also referred to the excellent services of Mr G. R. McGhie, who had grown up amongst them from boyhood. He had proved himself a faithful and worthy representative on the Power Board. Congratulating the town of Kihikihi on its enterprise, the speaker said that the coming of electric light would revolutionize home life and farm life, and would provide in every way a blessing to many. Mr Johnson then paid a high compliment to the ability of Mr Bickerstaff, the resideht engineer, and to the manager, Mr D. McArthur. He desired also to publicly express appreciation of the loyalty of the workmen who had erected the poles, and to those who had carried out the work in connection with the, electric light scheme.

The mayor of. Te Awamutu, Mr Armstrong, after expressing pleasure at being present also suitably congratulated them on their enterprise, and said that being now linked up with Te Awamutu, the provision of electric light would, he predicted, prove of great benefit to both of them. The event that night would, he hoped, be a turning point in the affairs of Kihikihi, and he wished them every success.

Before entering the hall, which was brilliantly illuminated, and could be seen by those outside, Mr Sutherland thanked those who had favoured them with their presence and also Mr E. Bickerstaff, Mr Walker (foreman of the Power Board) and all who had assisted in the work of illuminating the hall ; also Messrs Turnbull and Jones, who had kindly lent their lights for decoration purposes that night, and to the band, and the many workers who had assisted in the arangements. The company then entered the hall, where a social and dance were held. SOCIAL AND DANCE.

When the many coloured lights were turned on in the Kihikihi Town

Hall, the scene was one of unparalleled brilliancy. Using streamers of green and orange across the hall with electric lights of red, white, and blue, tastefully arranged, the blending of colours and the setting of the hall for such an auspicious occasion was almost perfect. Over the entrance in a conspicuous place, the word “Welcome” gave a warmth to the surroundings; the use of fern in the decorations and the red ribbons artistically arranged against the varnished walls, in lattice form, added to the effectiveness of the decorations. The company was a large and happy one, and when Dalton’s orchestra started playing, the scene, with the ladies in varying shades of dress moving with their partners beneath the electric lights, was indeed a pretty one. 'Mr J. Anderson capably acted as master of ceremonies, and kept the company going. In the early part of the evening songs were contributed by Mr J. B. Wilson and Mr E. W. White, and were much appreciated. Although the hall was more than comfortably filled with a merry throng of dancers, the spirit of en--. joyment was manifest, and each and all did their best to make the occasion a memorable one, and to share in the evening’s festivities. Favourable comment was made by several visitors of the way in which the Kihikihi folk had catered for the company. In this connection special mention should be made of the sumptuous supper provided, which added to •the enjoyment of the occasion. The committee, with its secretary, Mr D. A. MacPherson, l's to be congratulated on the way in which the many details were so well carried out, and all those who contributed to its success should have some pleasure in realising that their efforts were so much valued. The advent of the electric light in Kihikihi—and the switchingon ceremony and social and fiance—will be long remembered.