OPENING OF THE HUKANUI HALL.

Waikato Times, Volume XXII, Issue 1797, 12 January 1884, Page 2

OPENING OF THE HUKANUI HALL.

TKA AND CONCERT. This convenient public building was formally opened by a tea meeting and conceit on Thursday evening. The new hall, which is in every way a credit to the district, is GBft. x 22ft., including ante-rooms, stage, etc. Tea was on the table at 6.30, and a very large number of people sat down to it. At eight o'clock the chair was taken by Mr Primrose, who opened the proceedings by reading the financial statement prepared by, the trustees of the hall. The building had cost £150, of which amount the ladies had contributed £48, and hoped to raise it to £50. Of the remainder, all had been collected save about £30, and the proceeds of that entertainment would not leave them £20 in debt. Captain Steele then introduced The hon. Mr Whitaker, who 'stated he was through the distiict years ago, and little thought from its then state M" so soon visit it for the pmpoie of opening a public hall such as that they had met inprovided with stage, dress circle, pit and stalls, (laughter), and all the accessories for providing amusement for the people, winch after all, if they wished to enjoy thenlives, was as necessary .is work. As they were aware, he had been travelling through the Australian colonies lately, but though Victoria and New South Wales possessed greater wealth, they were neither of them so fitted for settlement as New Zealand, more especially in the matter of climate. There the country was held in large estates. and larger fortunes were irore common, but in New Zealand there were opportunities for the settlement and occupation of the land by the people for their own occupation. Nor need the people of this part of New Zealand envy the South. There there were large plains ready for the plough and immediate production, but here the energy of the people had overcome all difficulties by hard work, aud in Waikato especially, before which there was a splendid future, we had all the elements of wealth aud success. Good land, a good climate, excellent stock and abundance of coal and iron. But as he had said bsfore, they must have something more than work, and the large assemblage which hesaw before him then showed him that the people of Waikato realised the position that to be truly happy they must provide means for rational enjoyment. He had been asked to come up and open the hall. He did so with the greatest of pleasure, and trusted that now his avocations would be more confined to home duties, he should oftener become a visitor to Waikato than heretofore. In the course of his speech Mr Whitakes referred to the advantages of a scheme of colonial federation for the Australasian colonies. By herself New Zealand or any of the Australian colonies would not occupy a very important position among the nations, but it was the old fable of the bundle of sticks : united, they would take up a position which would command the respect of the civilised world. He now declared the Hukanui Hall to be a public hall. (Loud cheers). The musical and literary programme was then gone through in a manner deserving of all praise. We regret that we aie unable to notice the items in detail. We must not, however, forget to record onr appreciation of the offoi-tsj of Mrs Henry Reynolds, who not only undertook^ the general management of the entertainment, but played the whole of the accompaniments. To the energy of this lady is due the entire success of the entertainment. The Christy Minstrel performance was immenselyfunny, and, togetheOvith the Maori haka, was thoroughly enjoyed. The vocal efforts of Miss Allen, Miss McPherson, and Mrs W. J. Ralph were thoroughly appreciated. The following was the programme ; — Glee, "Queen of Night," Tonic Sol-fa Class; song, " Village Blacksmith," Mr Christian; violin solo, Mr Kelly; song, "Poor Married Men," (encoied), Mr Forrest ; song, " True to the last," Miss Allen ; recitation, "Barbara," Mr S. B. G. Smith; song, " Never be born on a Friday," Mr Nettlingham ; glee, " By the moonlight." Tonic Solfa Class ; song, " Illegonda, ' Miss McPherson; song and chorus, "South Australia," coniprny of sailors ; song, "Auntie," Mrs W. J. Ralph ; reading from Mark Twain, Mr Templer ; song, " Nancy Lee," Mr W. J. Ralph; song, "The Great Big Alligator" (encored), Mr T. G. Sandcs ; song, "Tit for Tat," Miss Allan. Interval. Performance by the Woodlands Minstrels ; Maori haka. Votes of thanks having been accorded to the hon. Mr Whitaker, and the ladies and gentlemen who had contributed to the evening's amusement, the hall was cleared for dancing, which was kept up merrily for some hours.