OPENING OF SEEHOF'S PUBLIC HALL, OTAUTAU.

Western Star, Issue 835, 16 April 1884, Page 2

OPENING OF SEEHOF'S PUBLIC HALL, OTAUTAU.

The formal opening of this hall, which too k ulnee on Monday evening, was celebnro'l by n conc-rt and ball in aid of the' local A»hen»um funds. The absence of a public halt at Otautau has long been a source of great inconvenience, and although the matter of building a hall has for some time past been under consideration by various persons and local bodies, Mr Seehof —only a comparatively recent arrival in the district —alone displayed the promptitude and enterprise to supply that felt want. The building is of a character at once a credit and a convenience to the' town and district. It stands on a site facing the main road, in a central portion of the town. The hall is seated for 250 people, and may be entered either from the front or through an ante-room at the side; the ceiling is 14 feet in height, and the building is lined throughout with T and G timber. There is a very neat and well appointed stage, measuring 20Ft by lift, with drop curtain, &c,,on which stands a brilliant tuned piano, purchased for the purpose. At the rear of the stage are two dressing rooms. It will thus be seen that the hall is commodious and well furnished enough for the purposes of such a structure. The exterior appearance of the building is also very neat, although no unnecessary “gingerbread” has been used in its adornment. It was erected by Mr J. Beer, builder, Riverton, from plans provided by Mr F. W. Burwell. To say that the work has been carried out in a faithful and workmanlike manner would only be reiterating what may be said regarding all Mr Beer’s contracts. The hall was well filled on Monday evening by a most respectable and orderly assemblage. Shortly after the hour announced for commencing the proceedings, Mr Wylie, teacher of the Otautau school, took the chair, and the entertainment was opened by the company appropriately singing the National Anthem. Thereafter the Chairman gave an introductory address, the theme being the importance of athenssums as an educational medium, and as a means of cultivating the intellectual faculties. After captivating the attention of the audience by a humorous remark or two, he launched into his subject without effort—-with an easy flow of well chosen language, and showing that he had either given the subject some study or that he possesses a well stored mind. Mr Moran followed with a song—“ The low-backed car,” which his melodious baritone voice, of good compass and flexibility, did full justice to. The following programme was then proceeded with : —*’ Whistle and I’ll come to you, my lad,” by Miss Moffat ; “ The Highlands,” by Miss M'Lachlan, which was encored ; Mr G. Gilchrist was similarly honored for his rendering of the nationalsong “ The red, white, and blue;” Mr Pinkerton gave a humorous Scotch recitation “ The Auld Sark Sleeve,” which he had to repeat; Miss Paton gave “ Won’t you buy my pretty flowers ” very sweetly; that popular exponent of Scottish song, Mr R. Wilson, Winton, next sang “ O’ a’ the airts ” with true native expression, and in response to a recall substituted “ Witliin a mile o’ Edinboro’ toon “ The Boatswains’ Story,” by Mr C. Bateman, followed, which met with an enthusiastic encore, and he sang “In happy moments.” Miss Ada M'Laughlin’s “ Auld Scots sangs,” although a difficult piece, was done fair justice to. After Messrs Stacy and Grant had each given a character song, the Chairman said that as a rule, on the completion of contracts, there was frequently a dispute between the contractor and owner of a building ; but the case of the hall in which they had met proved an exception, as the owner, Mr Seehoff wished to make a presentation to Mr Beer to mark his appreciation of the faithful manuer in which the latter had carried out his contract. Mr Beer having been invited on to the stage, was addressed by Mr Seehoff, who said he had asked permission on that pleasant occasion to present to Mr Beer a token of bis thorough satisfaction at the manner in which he had carried out his work, and he begged his acceptance of a marble timepiece as a memento of that fact. He referred to the pleasant relations that had existed between Mr Beer and himself during the progress of the work. Mr Beer in accepting the gift, suitably thanked the donor, stating that he had been taken by surprise at the gift—for what, he asked ? Simply because he had carried out the contract according to specifications. An interval of ten minutes then look place, after which the second part of the programme was proceeded with, in which Miss s McLaughlin and Moffat, Messrs Bateman, Wilson, Pinkerton, Gilchrist, Moran, Tracy, appeared. At the conclusion votes of thanks were awarded “ The Singers,” “ The Committee,” and “ The Chairman.” Mr Hesford intimated that assis'ed hy Mrs Hesford ho would give a performance in the Hall on Friday, 2nd May. “ Auld Lang Syne,” by ‘ho company, brought the concert to an end. We should have mentioned that Mr Kenton played tne accompaniments throughout in a very artistic manner. The hall was shortly afterwards cleared fur dancing, when a large number enjoyed themselves till an early hour in (he morning. The music was supplied bv Mr Renton, and Mr Todd acted efficiently as M.C.