The Mangapiko Hall is about to turn 100. Photo: Jesse Wood
July 5 will marks a century since the first meeting was held in the Mangapiko Hall – it was officially opened on July 26, 1926.
Halfway between Pirongia and Te Awamutu, the rural Waipā facility is still in good condition and use.
The Mangapiko Hall was built in 1926. Photo: Jesse Wood
Ngaire Phillips details the hall’s origins in her book My Family Story.
Ngaire’s grandfather J.T. (John) Johnson was one of three trustees when the Mangapiko Settlers’ Hall Association was formed in 1925, alongside Charles Alexander and John Ryan.
The Johnsons have been in the district since 1908, when J.T. brought his family north from Masterton, hence Johnson Rd.
The hall was built by a Mr Hastings, on the site of the Mangapiko creamery, which had fallen into disuse and was pulled down in 1925.
The opening evening commenced with the playing of the national anthem by the Te Awamutu Orphans’ Orchestra before Waipā County Council chairman Samuel Macky declared the hall open.
More than 250 people were present.
Te Awamutu mayor Leonard Armstrong congratulated the settlers upon their enterprise.
A concert followed, then Johnson spoke about some of his impressions of the district in the 18 years he had lived here.
Johnson said the Mangapiko district had happily made such progress since then; so also had Te Awamutu, which at that time was a town district.
Halfway between Pirongia and Te Awamutu, the rural Waipā facility is still in good condition and use. Photo: Jesse Wood
Roads throughout had improved, the school enlarged, telephones, rural mail services, electric light and power – in fact, he could not think of any district where the amenities of life were so good and attractive as Mangapiko.
After supper, the floor was cleared and for at least three hours Dalton’s Orchestra was kept busily occupied playing for the many dancers.
At about 3am the event was brought to a close.
“I imagine that my grandparents would have left for home after supper as they were a family who did not dance,” Ngaire said.
“After the Mangapiko Hall was opened in 1926 many a school concert was held on its stage.
“Miss Cameron is well remembered for her organisation of such functions with their crepe paper costumes.
“One of the concerts was held to raise funds for the first school radio to enable the pupils to listen to the broadcasts to school.
“Harold and Herbert Hey were talented entertainers at concerts organised by the school committee to raise funds for the school.”
In the 1920s and 1930s the hall was also used as a venue for Presbyterian Church services.
The hall was built on the site of the Mangapiko creamery. Photo: Jesse Wood
“Many a play, skits and concerts were performed on the stage. But the stage was used less and less.”
Indoor bowls and table tennis became popular and more floor space was needed. So the stage was pulled out and a new entrance made. Other alterations have since been made.
Bowls are still played during the winter months.
“Looking back there was probably more progress [for Mangapiko] in that 45 years from 1880 to 1925 than at any other time since,” Ngaire said.
There will be no centenary celebration for the hall but it still remains a well-cared-for country hall.
