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Care of the First Dunsandel Hall/Library 1890-1899 Part 3
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TitleCare of the First Dunsandel Hall/Library 1890-1899 Part 3 
DescriptionThe May 1890 AGM [38] “in connection with the library and the hall” was informed that in the early spring a heavy gale of wind demonstrated the necessity of more strength in the roof. This was attended to.
During the year the Committee exchanged fifty volumes with the Greendale Library and this was to be repeated in the ensuing year.
It was resolved at the June committee meeting [39] “That the new Rochester lamps be kept; also, that the necessary fixings for raising and lowering them be procured.”
Just as the Draughts Club had previously, the Foresters applied to have a fire in the library during the winter months and this was granted conditionally.
The 1891 AGM [40,41] was held in the library in the same month as the 1890 AGM, with a credit balance of £16 9s 4d and a recommendation to the new committee that money should be invested in new books.
Very soon after the AGM the committee met [42] and decided to spend £15 on new books and to send the Greendale books back at the first opportunity.
The 1893 AGM [43], with a credit of £22 15s 7d on hand, resolved that £10 be reserved as a sinking fund for the hall, to carry out any necessary repairs, and that £8 be spent on books.
Again a sub-committee of three was to select the new books.
The Star described [44] the 1894 AGM as the “annual general meeting of subscribers to the Dunsandel Public Library and Hall” which took place with about 20 attendees in the hall.
Even with a balance of £28 13s 9d it was recommended to the new committee that no new books be purchased and that £10 should be put in the Post Office Savings Bank as a sinking fund for the maintenance of the buildings, and that the librarian be paid as he had in the past.
Both R S Robins (Librarian) and Fred Lill (Secretary) retired at the 1896 AGM [45] of the Hall and Library Committee. A credit balance of £82 19s 8d was passed.
Parker Westenra then said that he thought the next business was to decide what should be done by way of repairing or enlarging the hall.
After a good deal of discussion, chiefly between Messrs Furze, Sherrard, Lochhead, Devereaux, and Sheat, Mr. Furze moved as a recommendation to the incoming Committee that the hall be given a new roof, new windows, and painted.
With the large amount of work planned, the Dunsandel correspondent for the Ellesmere Guardian implored [46] people to attend the grand concert and dance in aid of the building fund.
The correspondent claimed that the promoters are doing all in their power to make the affair a success, by way of getting some of the best musicians and reciters that can be procured, performers coming from Christchurch, Ashburton, Irwell, Hororata, besides the leading talent of the district.
An event fitting this description (which was actually the second concert & dance) was advertised for October 16th [47,48,49] with Miss Lill, Mrs Furze, and Messrs Lill, Chaplin, and Lienert as “the leading talent of the district”.
The correspondent added[50] that the purpose of the event was “to celebrate the opening of the Hall and Library after having undergone recent implements, which will no doubt prove to be very beneficial to the convenience of the public” with the “proceeds will go towards paying off the debt”.
Samuel Sherrard’s report at the 1897 AGM in the hall, gave a detailed explanation of the work that had been carried out on the building [51]. “The Committee could not see any satisfactory way of enlarging the Hall, but they thought that the pressure might be relieved by adding to the anteroom, as the crowding was generally only on the occasions of dances and socials.
Accordingly, the alterations that have been carried out were agreed upon.
The whole of the building is now roofed with iron, while the outside has been painted, as also the interior of the Hall. All the windows and window frames have been overhauled and renewed where necessary. It was recommended to the Committee.
The young people of the district subscribed sufficient money to make the stage movable and to purchase an urn.
A copper boiler has also been built for the convenience of lessees requiring hot water.
Tenders were called for the alterations, and that of Hugh Brown, was accepted for £116 14s, which, with extras and other expenditure in connection with it, totalled £139 2s 6d.
The Committee decided to raise Miss Kelly's allowance for cleaning to £11 with 1s extra for lighting lamps when required.
The Committee took office with a balance in the Bank of £82 19s 8d. The total receipts for the year have been. £14?? 2s ??d.
The total expenditure has been £156 15s 6d, leaving a debit balance £lll ???2s7d.
To reduce the debt two concerts were held, but bad weather marred the success of both. However, they realised the sum of £10 14s 7d
Mike Noonan
Dunsandel Historic Society
Date1890-1899SourcePapers PastLocationDunsandel
DescriptionThe May 1890 AGM [38] “in connection with the library and the hall” was informed that in the early spring a heavy gale of wind demonstrated the necessity of more strength in the roof. This was attended to. During the year the Committee exchanged fifty volumes with the Greendale Library and this was to be repeated in the ensuing year.
It was resolved at the June committee meeting [39] “That the new Rochester lamps be kept; also, that the necessary fixings for raising and lowering them be procured.”
Just as the Draughts Club had previously, the Foresters applied to have a fire in the library during the winter months and this was granted conditionally.
The 1891 AGM [40,41] was held in the library in the same month as the 1890 AGM, with a credit balance of £16 9s 4d and a recommendation to the new committee that money should be invested in new books.
Very soon after the AGM the committee met [42] and decided to spend £15 on new books and to send the Greendale books back at the first opportunity.
The 1893 AGM [43], with a credit of £22 15s 7d on hand, resolved that £10 be reserved as a sinking fund for the hall, to carry out any necessary repairs, and that £8 be spent on books.
Again a sub-committee of three was to select the new books.
The Star described [44] the 1894 AGM as the “annual general meeting of subscribers to the Dunsandel Public Library and Hall” which took place with about 20 attendees in the hall.
Even with a balance of £28 13s 9d it was recommended to the new committee that no new books be purchased and that £10 should be put in the Post Office Savings Bank as a sinking fund for the maintenance of the buildings, and that the librarian be paid as he had in the past.
Both R S Robins (Librarian) and Fred Lill (Secretary) retired at the 1896 AGM [45] of the Hall and Library Committee. A credit balance of £82 19s 8d was passed.
Parker Westenra then said that he thought the next business was to decide what should be done by way of repairing or enlarging the hall.
After a good deal of discussion, chiefly between Messrs Furze, Sherrard, Lochhead, Devereaux, and Sheat, Mr. Furze moved as a recommendation to the incoming Committee that the hall be given a new roof, new windows, and painted.
With the large amount of work planned, the Dunsandel correspondent for the Ellesmere Guardian implored [46] people to attend the grand concert and dance in aid of the building fund.
The correspondent claimed that the promoters are doing all in their power to make the affair a success, by way of getting some of the best musicians and reciters that can be procured, performers coming from Christchurch, Ashburton, Irwell, Hororata, besides the leading talent of the district.
An event fitting this description (which was actually the second concert & dance) was advertised for October 16th [47,48,49] with Miss Lill, Mrs Furze, and Messrs Lill, Chaplin, and Lienert as “the leading talent of the district”.
The correspondent added[50] that the purpose of the event was “to celebrate the opening of the Hall and Library after having undergone recent implements, which will no doubt prove to be very beneficial to the convenience of the public” with the “proceeds will go towards paying off the debt”.
Samuel Sherrard’s report at the 1897 AGM in the hall, gave a detailed explanation of the work that had been carried out on the building [51]. “The Committee could not see any satisfactory way of enlarging the Hall, but they thought that the pressure might be relieved by adding to the anteroom, as the crowding was generally only on the occasions of dances and socials.
Accordingly, the alterations that have been carried out were agreed upon.
The whole of the building is now roofed with iron, while the outside has been painted, as also the interior of the Hall. All the windows and window frames have been overhauled and renewed where necessary. It was recommended to the Committee.
The young people of the district subscribed sufficient money to make the stage movable and to purchase an urn.
A copper boiler has also been built for the convenience of lessees requiring hot water.
Tenders were called for the alterations, and that of Hugh Brown, was accepted for £116 14s, which, with extras and other expenditure in connection with it, totalled £139 2s 6d.
The Committee decided to raise Miss Kelly's allowance for cleaning to £11 with 1s extra for lighting lamps when required.
The Committee took office with a balance in the Bank of £82 19s 8d. The total receipts for the year have been. £14?? 2s ??d.
The total expenditure has been £156 15s 6d, leaving a debit balance £lll ???2s7d.
To reduce the debt two concerts were held, but bad weather marred the success of both. However, they realised the sum of £10 14s 7d
Mike Noonan
Dunsandel Historic Society
Date1890-1899SourcePapers PastLocationDunsandelConnections
CollectionThe Patrons of the First Dunsandel Hall/LibraryPlaceTe Atatiki a Te Wakaaro DunsandelOrganisationDunsandel Historic SocietyMore Information[38][39][40][41][42][43][44][45][46][47][48][49][50][51]
PlaceTe Atatiki a Te Wakaaro DunsandelOrganisationDunsandel Historic SocietyMore Information[38][39][40][41][42][43][44][45][46][47][48][49][50][51]Attribution
Researched ByMike NoonanWritten ByMike Noonan
Written ByMike NoonanClick on the image to add
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Care of the First Dunsandel Hall/Library 1890-1899 Part 3 (1890-1899). Selwyn Stories, accessed 06/04/2026, https://selwynstories.selwynlibraries.co.nz/nodes/view/5477
