WEWSTEAD PUBLIC HALL

Waikato Times, Volume 100, Issue 16818, 9 June 1926, Page 8

WEWSTEAD PUBLIC HALL

OPENING BY HEALTH MINIBTER. BUILT WITH VOLUNTARY LABOUR. With commendable enterprise, so common a characteristic of the people living in the country districts, the settlers of New-stead by means of voluntary labour and liberal contributions in cash, have built for themselves a handsome public hall. Situated on the main Newstead Road alongside (lie railway station, the building measures 50 feet, by 30 feet. The main hall is .10ft by 30ft, and (here is a roomy stage 22ft by 10ft, and two ante-rooms 10ft by 10ft. Hot water services and- electric light arc installed. The work was commenced about seven weeks ago, and Hie construction supervised by Mr A. Crawford, the settlers lending what assistance they could. The section was given by Mr S. S. Pagan, and the cash for the material collected around the district. The hall, complete with furnishings, is valued at about £BOO, the malcri.ll alone involving an outlay of £IOO. The voluntary labour given would probably be worth anything from £l2O to £2OO. The consummation of the settlers' efforts realised, the opening ceremony look place yesterday, and was performed by the Minister of Health, Hon. .1. A. Young. There was a good number of residents present, the chairman of the Hall Committee, Mr W. Griffin, presiding. Mr Young apologised for the absence of the Mayor of Hamilton, Mr J. R. Fow. Prior to the opening ceremony bouquets were presented to Mrs J. A. Young and Mrs NV. Griffin respectively. Mr \V. Griffin welcomed the Minister and Mrs Young. He wished to thank those who had assisted with their voluntary labour. The hall, undoubtedly filled a long felt want in the district. The riding representative on the Yv'aikato County Council, and one of the oldest residents in the district, Mr Thomas llinton, congratulated the settlers on their enterprise and effort. He related that when he first came to the district wilh his parents, manuka scrub thrived where cultivated farms were now to be seen. The Minister, on behalf of his wife and Mrs Griffin, thanked the residents for the very line bouquets. Although he could not claim so long a knowledge of the district as Mr Hinton, he, too, had seen the diitrict grow and forge ahead. Social life was necessary for the country residents, and witti the present hall the residents would have a place at which to meet for this purpose. The public hall was a credit to them and in declaring it open, he.wished to congratulate them one and all on their achievement. (Applause). Mr Young then called on the oldest resident in the district, Mrs Manktelow, to cut a tape tied across the doorway. Cheers were then given for Mrs Manklelow, the Minister and chairman, after which a delectable afternoon tea was dispensed by the ladies.