A NEW TOWN HALL

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 72, Issue 186, 7 August 1929, Page 6

A NEW TOWN HALL

GROWTH OF HUNTERVILLE > EULOGISTIC SPEECHES \ Hunterville's new Town Hall wai officially opened on Monday last by the Hon. J. G. Cobbe, Minister of Marine and Customs, and Member for the Oroua electorate. Mr W. Bowick, of the Hunterville Town Board, presided and there were associated with him on the platform in addition to the Minister and Mri Mrs Cobbe, Mr R. G. Dalziell (Rang! tikei County Council), Mr F. Purnell (Mayor of Marton), Mr 8. A. R. Mair (Rengitikei County Engineer) and Mr Watkins (Mangaweka Town Board). In declaring the building open the Minister complimented the Board and people on the splendid building. He had seen larger but had not seen better finished and better equipped halls. It was thoroughly up-to-date. He complimented the architect and builders. It was gratifying to note that the hal l would bo self supporting, he saitl,W ana while politicians claimed to eve iything some of them could tajee a leal out of the book of Hunterville Town Board. It was a good sign when people took a pride in their town and provided public facilities. Soon they would have a new school and if that was not large enough, then they should keep on sending collect wires to the Minister and himself. (Laughter). They believed with increased settlement there would be a larger number of children attending the schools and this should be borne in mind. Concluding, the Minister said the building was substantial and typical of the people of Hunterville. He had pleasure in declaring the building open and hoped numerous gatherings would leave a financial surplus at the end of the year and that Hunterville would continue to progress. (Applause). Mr R. G. Dalziell on behalf of Rangitikei County Council, apologised for the absence of the chairman (Mr K. W. Dalrymple) and expressed regret at the loss of Mr Simpson and Mr. Ellis,. He congratulated the people on the splendid hall and moved a vote of thanks to the Hon. Mr Cobbe for officially opening the building. Mr Purnell, Mayor of Marton, in seconding, congratulated the Town Board and residents of Hunterville on the magnificent hall which would be a rally ground for town and district. The best of feeling existed between Marton and Hunterville. He was pleased to second the motion as Mr Cobbe and he had been friends for many years. Mr Cobbe was one of the new Ministers who, when they met in Parliament made their maiden speeches. But although rM Cobbe was no new chum in business. If he made the same success with his portfolio as he had in business he would be a credit to the country. The motion was carried with enthusiasm. After a free matinee picture show, the hall was thrown open for public inspection. Hall Finance A poll of ratepayers taken in 19281 sanctioned the raising of a loan of £5OOO for the purpose of building a new Town Hall and the loan was sanctioned by the local Government Loans Board in December 1928. The hall was commenced in February, 1929. Messrs Burne and Neilson of Finding being the contractors and Mr M. R. Varnham of Levin, the architect, and was completed on July 31. It was found necessary to raise the 10 per cent additional on the £5,000 loan making the total cost of the hall with furnishings £5,500, and the sum was raised by the issue of debentures for £5OO each, £5,000 bearing interest at 5i per cent and £5OO interest at 5J per cent, the main loan being a term of 36$ years and the additional £5OO for 15 years.