Great asset used by generations
Reporter takes a reflective look at our public halls and some of the stories they held in this series,
A piano played more than a tune in the history of a Waipa hall which housed ‘‘totally out of control’’ parties, motorbikes and scouts during its 105-year life.
The Maungatautari Hall was built on the foundation of an £80 donation in 1911. The money came from the proceeds of an outlawed hack racing club forced into dissolution a year earlier, as well as some fierce fundraising gaining a further £39 to the total.
In the inaugural hall committee report, chairman Harry Atkins was scathing calling for ‘‘the severest condemnation of the builder for using inferior quality timber’’ on the new community facility.
Such were the problems, the committee resorted to a legal remedy resulting in parts of the hall having to be rebuilt.
Problems aside, the community made use of its new hall and organised the first of many dances soon after its opening.
Admission price saw gentlemen paying 3 shillings and ladies brought a plate.
The hall became the centre for socials and later in the year a ‘‘plain and fancy dress ball’’ proved a huge hit. A majority appeared in fancy dress ‘‘only completed after a great deal of hard work,’’ according to Atkins’ report.
The hall’s piano became one of the most contentious issues over the first 80 years of the hall’s service to the community.
It’s placement became the subject of many debates, as did the cost of repairing it in 1921 and again in 1924.
Subsequently every chairman’s report mentioned piano repairs.
One eagerly awaited event on the calender was the Bachelors Ball, which all eligible ladies in the district were formally invited to attend.
Finance plagued committees until 1955 relief came from the Education Board wanting to lease it as an extra classroom and paid £3 a week rent.
Behaviour at social gatherings started to ‘‘get out of hand’’ in the 1950s.
And in the 1980s, parties held at the hall were reported as ‘‘totally out of control’’.
In 1991 the piano, the heart and soul of countless functions for 80 years, was sold for $150.
In 1992 the floor had to be repaired where a motorbike had been continuously revved up and gouged the floor.
It is now a B -listed Historic Building and stands as testament to the Maungatautari community which came before the current generation, who now find different uses for this building.