IURP WKH 1HZVSDSHU )LOHV 100 years ago
The Gazette, May 23, 1922
WARRAGUL THEATRE
A further indication of the development of the town and district is to be seen in the substantial new theatre and public hall now being erected by the Warragul Theatre Coy. This fine building will cost something like £12,000 to construct, and will be an ornament to the town. Only men having command of outside capital would be able to undertake the enterprise, but it is gratifying to learn that provision has been made to admit local shareholders, and many well known men throughout the district have already taken up shares.
Realising that this flourishing town and district required a modern hall for the accommodation and amusement of the public, the Warragul Theatre Coy has been formed to meet these requirements. The site chosen for the building is all that could be desired. Owing to the fact that the site may be considered the hub of the business centre, provision has been made for the erection of twelve shops on the ground floor and eight office suites and a tea salon on the first floor. The shops will be fitted with modern show windows set in tiled fronts and will be made very attractive. The tea salon on the first floor will be of ample dimensions, sufficient to accommodate supper parties and the usual convivial meetings.
The dimensions of the main hall are 85 ft by 50ft and with the southern balcony will have a seating capacity of about 1000. A stage will be provided for concerts and similar entertainments. It is intended to put down a first-class dancing floor, which, with mechanical ventilation will ensure the fullest enjoyment of the recreation.
The whole of the external walls, partitions, and floors, except half floor will be composed of reinforced concrete, this method of construction being adopted on account of its advantages in time of construction and exceedingly low cost of future upkeep.
More applications for shops, etc, have already been received than can be accepted, but it is not the intention of the management not to allot any of these until the building is nearing completion. Some of these are verbal, but the surest way is for prospective tenants to forward a written application to the registered office of the company. Then it will be filed. The promoters consider that the future prospects of the company are remarkably good, showing a good rate of interest for the capital invested. As part of this capital is being raised by an issue of debentures carrying interest at the rate at 10 per cent, investors are offered a splendid opportunity of investment combined with liberal returns.
ELECTRIC LIGHT
There was some consternation at the hospital committee meeting on Friday afternoon, when members were informed that the electric light fittings of the nurses' new quarters had been condemned by the Hydro-Electric Company's inspector as unsuitable or unsafe. Several householders of Warragul who have been put to expense in preparing for the electric light have had a similarly disappointing experience. It would, of course, be folly to endanger the safety of any building, but it does seem extraordinary that the liability of this danger could not be foreseen. In the case of the hospital nurses' quarters, the architects who passed the work will be asked to explain the position. DANCING
A new dancing class will commence in Warragul on the 30th inst., under the direct supervision of Mr G. Pirera, who has been fortunate in securing the services of Miss Beer, a pupil of Miss Beer, a pupil of Monsieur Bibron. Intending pupils who wish to learn the new dances will have the satisfaction of knowing they are being taught by a highly qualified teacher.
50 years ago
The Gazette, May, 23, 1972
UNEMPLOYMENT
Unemployment in the Warragul district has dropped dramatically within the past month.
This is according to figures released this week by Mr D.E. Talbot, Warragul District Officer of the Commonwealth Employment Service.
Mr Talbot said that at the end of the last month, 144 people were registered for employment in the area.
This was 81 fewer than the end of March. He said there were 39 unfilled vacancies - 20 for males and 19 for females.
Mr Talbot said the majority were for people with special skills.
About 250 new vacancies were lodged during April.
Men were required in primary production mainly as potato diggers - and to a lesser extent as dairy hands.
Mr Talbot said there were also vacancies for males in building and construction and manufacturing.
Forty-one vacancies for males created in the district under the Rural Unemployment Relief Scheme were filled during the month.
Mr Talbot said most of the vacancies for females were in manufacturing industries and retail trade.
He said that of those receiving unemployment benefits at the end of April, 37 were males and 17 were females.
Warragul District Office includes the municipalities of Bass, Buln Buln, Korumburra, Phillip Island, South Gippsland, Warragul, Woorayl and Wonthaggi.
THE GULLS
Warragul footballers were "robbed" in more ways than one at Traralgon last Saturday.
On the field, the Gulls went down to the Maroons by one point in a hectic finish, after leading throughout the game.
During the match, a case containing the players' money, watches and other valuables was taken from the dressing shed.
The case and contents were found scattered on the floor of a toilet.
However, only $1.45 of players' money was taken.
ROTARY EXCHANGE
Secondary school students who left Warragul last Saturday and yesterday to return to New Zealand were accompanied by Warragul and district students in the second phase of a Rotary exchange scheme.
The students and their movements are:
Kerry Deakin went with Geraldine Jones to her home in Paremeta, and will attend Wellington Girls' College with her during second term. Geraldine spent term one at Warragul High School.
Laurence Jensen, of Neerim South, a Warragul Technical School student, will spend term two at Wanganui High School in the North Island.
Ross Jones, who was at Warragul Technical School during term one, was accompanied back to Manor Park by Charles Barnes, of Garfield. Both will go to Hutt Valley High School in the coming term.