Town Hall Extensions 1928.
Katanning’s first hall was the Agricultural Hall (still in situ alongside the Town Hall) which was opened in 1896. It was upgraded in 1905 and continued to serve the community until approval was given by the Katanning Road Board to build a new hall in 1927 which was opened in 1928
The updated Katanning Agricultural Hall in Austral Terrace. The hall at the rear is the original building built in 1896. It is still in place adjacent to the current building.
Katanning’s Edifice.
THE NEW TOWN HALL
Great Southern Herald
28 March 1928 – P2
The new Town Hall, with a seat accommodation of 750 and many handsome improvements, should be completed within the space of three weeks. The contractors have practically finished all building operations and workmen are now engaged in putting on the finishing touches by painting the front and interior.
Already the tenants of the upstairs offices, the Katanning Road Board and the Repatriation Committee, have taken possession of their new apartments, and both shops on the ground floor are occupied. An invitation has been extended to the State Premier, Mr. P. Collier, to declare the building open, and the ceremony, we understand, will take place towards the end of April.
Six handsome frosted glass lights have been installed in the main hall, and one over the gallery, which accommodates 114 people in comfortable upholstered theatre chairs. The projecting room is tucked neatly above the back portion of the gallery and is reached by means of a steel ladder from the floor. Other improvements include new upholstered chairs on the ground floor, cloak rooms both upstairs and down, and a new stage curtain.
Viewed from Taylor-street, the building is quite imposing and something which Katanning residents, members of the Katanning Road Board and the contractor who was responsible for its construction have reason to be proud of.
To recall the incidents which occurred before the building of the stately edifice was authorised would tend to detract from its beauty. The good old proverb which says “Let sleeping dogs lie” is more appropriate than ever. Whatever we may think of the past is immaterial, the present and future concern us most.
We now have a Town Hall which is quite in keeping with the dignity of Katanning. “Hurrah for the New Town Hall!”
The “New” Katanning Town Hall completed in 1928.
Katanning Mechanics’ Institute.
MARKS OF PROGRESS.
Great Southern Herald
16 May 1928 – P2
Following the recent alterations and additions to the local Town Hall several substantial improvements now in the final stages of completion have been effected in the quarters occupied by the Katanning Mechanics’ Institute. The front portion of the building is occupied by a reading room on the town side and a members’ room on the Hall side, both rooms and the passage in between having been covered with lino, and the appearance enhanced by painting.
The members’ room contains tables and chairs for indoor games, and is well patronised, especially on cold nights when the fire is burning brightly. The second billiard table is to be re-covered and the material removed will be transferred to the top table, which is beginning to appear a little the worse for wear. The billiard room will be re-lined throughout and, within the space of a few weeks, the added improvements will render it one of the best saloons on the Great Southern railway.
The library is being augmented weekly by new novels and interesting literature. One of the committee men who will be visiting Perth within the space of a few days has been authorised to select and purchase new reading matter, with which it is hoped to bring the library up to the dignity of the improved billiard room.
With the recently concluded billiard tournament, and the snooker playing competition, which is still in progress, interest in the institute is at its peak. Entries for both competitions were very satisfactory and attracted a large number of spectators as well as players. The standard of play has been greatly improved by the competitions, which have been well patronised by younger members.
Since the commencement of the year the membership has gradually improved, till it now stands at approximately 200 and, with the added facilities, both in the library and billiard room, this number will, no doubt, be considerably increased before the end of winter. The Institute is fortunate in possessing the services of an attentive secretary, whose efforts to organise the various tournaments and in caring for the large amount of miscellaneous property in the library, billiard room and reading room, have been highly successful.
Katanning Town Hall.
OPENING FUNCTION
Great Southern Herald
23 June 1928 – P3
At the meeting of the Katanning Road Board, a resolution of the General Purposes Committee that Messrs. Watts, Bowden and Synnott be a sub-committee to arrange matters in connection with the official opening of the new Town Hall was confirmed, these members being given authority to carry out any arrangements considered necessary.
On Monday, the member for the district, Mr. A. Thomson, M.L.A., was interviewed regarding the promised visit of the Premier for the occasion, and he stated that Mr. Collier had expressed his willingness to spend a weekend in the district, from Friday, June 29, to Sunday, July 1.
It was resolved that Mr. Thomson ask the Premier to arrange his visit so that he might arrive on Friday morning, the opening function, to which the public would be invited, being held during the afternoon. In the morning an inspection of the town and various public buildings would be made, followed by luncheon and an official dinner in the evening.
For the Saturday it is probable that a visit to Gnowangerup and Tambellup would be arranged, the public bodies at those centres being, invited to co-operate in the entertainment of the Premier, while Sunday would be spent quietly, and in accordance with the wishes of the Premier.
It was decided also to obtain a tablet suitably engraved to be placed at the Hall to commemorate the opening of the additions, and Mr. Thomson was asked to choose a presentation for the Premier.
Katanning Town Hall
OFFICIAL OPENING OF ADDITIONS.
Visit of Premier to District.
Great Southern Herald
4 July 1928 – P4&5
On Friday the official opening of the new portion of the Katanning Town Hall by the Premier, the Hon. P. H. Collier, put the finishing touch upon the work actually taken in hand by the contractors, Messrs. Thomson and Keenan just over 12 months ago, but discussed and debated for several years prior to that by townspeople and members of the Board.
The Premier was accompanied by Messrs. J. T. Lutey (Brown Hill-Ivanhoe), A. H. Panton (Menzies), E. B. Johnston (WiIliams-NarroginJ, Deputy Leader of the Country Party, members o£ the Legislative Assembly, the Hon. Hector Stewart and C. H. Wittenoom, members of the Legislative Council, and Mr. R. Mercer, Government Publicity Officer.
The member for the district, Mr. A. Thomson, M.L.A., Leader of the Country Party, together with the chairman and members of the Katanning Road Board, met the Premier and bis party at the Railway Station on Friday morning and, after usual greetings had been exchanged, a tour of the town was undertaken, including visits to ‘the Government School, St. Rita’s Convent, “Kobeelya” School and the Hospital. Then an inspection was made of the Government offices, including the Lands Office and the Court House, and the town water scheme, all subjects of deputations later in the day.
Prior to luncheon at the Katanning Hotel, Mr. F. M. Bowden, Manager for Richardson and Co. Ltd., showed the visitors through the fine new premises being built for the firm, which are nearing completion. The Premier expressed his admiration of this block of buildings and in the afternoon when replying to a deputation said that the Government, for very shame’s sake, could not refuse to bring its own offices into keeping with the general standard of the town when residents demonstrated their confidence in the district by the expenditure of so much money in improving their business premises.
DEPUTATIONS
Prior to the official opening of the Town Hall deputations waited on the Premier in the office of the Katanning Road Board. Mr. A. Thomson, Member for the District, outlined the text of the requests and stated that representations would be made on the following matters:
Town Water Supply.
Maternity Hospital.
New Government Buildings.
Pingrup-Magenta Railway Extension.
He then called on various Board members and others to place their cases before the Premier.
Water Supply.
Mr. Geo. McLeod (Chairman of the Katanning Road Board) stated that the question of a water supply was a serious one. The 30-million-gallon scheme which had been constructed by the Government and handed over to the town, had only been filled four times since its construction and had proved entirely inadequate during the summer months.
Katanning boasted of one of the largest hospitals between Perth and Albany and a shortage of water during the past dry summer had caused grave concern. The time had arrived when a comprehensive permanent water supply was needed for the district. The proposal for a scheme having as its source of supply Two People Bay, which could be reticulated to the district had been suggested, but the speaker could not pass an opinion as to its practicability. “If the Stirling Ranges supply does not eventuate,” said Mr. McLeod, “we will have to meet you regarding the improvement of the present supply,”
Supporting the remarks of the previous speaker, Mr. Watts contended that a comprehensive new scheme was most necessary. One of the most undesirable aspects of the present scheme was that the water was of doubtful quality, unfit for drinking purposes and hardly suitable for watering gardens. Owing to the present shortage, the Railway Commissioner was emburdened with the cost of transporting water from another centre and the present scheme was entirely out of keeping with the needs of the town.
Maternity Hospital.
Introducing the question of a maternity hospital, Mr. W. J. Rogers stated that the Premier’s Government had provided the town with a splendid hospital, of which, owing to the progress of the district, every ward and bed had been taxed to its utmost. During the past, provision had been made for the district by Nurse Quartermaine’s private hospital. but as this had now been relinquished the position had become serious. He suggested that a maternity wing in connection with the present Public Hospital would solve the problem.
Dr. B. Burnside supported these remarks. He stated that from a doctor’s point of view Mr. Roger’s suggestion was most suitable. In certain cases, complications arose which, in a private home or hospital, could not be dealt with. Private concerns were run for gain and for these two reasons at least he believed that an additional wing at the Government Hospital was necessary. An Infant Welfare Centre had been established in Katanning and it “was putting the cart before the horse” when there were no facilities for prospective mothers.
Government Buildings.
Regarding the Government buildings, which included the Courthouse, Agricultural Bank, Savings Bank, and Lands Office, the Chairman of the Katanning Road Board, Mr. Geo McLeod stated that Katanning had always obtained sympathy from the Government and its ministers, but the matter had never gone further. The business transacted in the Lands Office and Government Banks had completely outgrown the present premises and the Premier had seen for himself that they were not in keeping with the dignity of the town. In the Police Court matters were even worse. The Clerk of Courts office was used as the Children’s Court. Witnesses waiting to give evidence were obliged to sit on the kerb. The police were housed in a tiny office about 10 feet square.
Supporting these remarks, Mr. Synnott contended that the Savings Bank, one of the Government’s chief sources of revenue, did not lend itself to business in its present condition. The Agricultural Bank and Lands Office in which some employees were housed, were constructed 25 years ago. Since that time every other businessman in the town had pulled down his old premises and built new ones to allow for the increase in trade, which had been experienced to a similar degree in the Government departments. No employer in this town would dare to offer his employees such offices to work in. The Courthouse buildings were on a par with the others, and it was high time a step was made to bring them all up to the standard of buildings in Katanning.
Mr. Wittenoom, M.L.C., supported the requests of previous speakers especially regarding the water supply. He did not consider it would be a great feat to pump water from the freshwater lakes at Two People’s Bay and gravitate it to the Katanning district.
Mr. Thomson (chairman) apologised for the absence of Messrs. Stubbs, M.L.A., and Glasheen, M.L.C., who would have supported these requests. During the last 12 months £30,000 had been spent by residents of the town on buildings, which demonstrated their confidence in its future progress. He trusted that the Premier would give favourable consideration to the requests which had been made.
PREMIER’S REPLIES
Replying to the numerous requests the Premier stated that one reason why he could not travel round the State as much as lie would like was owing to the numerous deputations with which he was met at every centre.
Replying to the various requests, including water from the lakes at Two People’s Bay and gravitating it through the district from the Stirling Range, Mr. Collier stated at first glance he
thought the cost would be prohibitive. The water supply engineers had reported that a water scheme could be provided for Katanning at a cost of £62,000, but it would involve an unthinkable rate of 6d. in the £.
On his return to Perth, he would refer the matter to Mr. Cunningham (Minister for Water Supplies) in order to ascertain if the difficulty could not be overcome.
Discussing the matter of a Maternity Hospital. the speaker realised that the matter had become urgent. “If we provided one for Katanning all the other towns on the Great Southern railway would come forward with requests,” he stated. The matter, however, had enlisted his sympathy, though he did not know what view the Medical Department would take. To make a complete District Hospital the maternity wing as stipulated by previous speakers was necessary.
After inspecting the Government buildings of the town, he was convinced that Courthouse, the Agricultural and Savings Bank buildings and the Lands Department offices were entirely out of keeping with the requirements of the town. He definitely promised that the work would be carried out early in the financial year and plans which had been prepared last year for buildings worth £7,000 were in existence.
A request for an allowance in respect to the wooden mains of the local water supply, which had been made by Mr. F. M. Bowden on behalf of the Road Board, would be brought under the notice o£ the Minister for Water Supplies.
The chairman thanked the Premier for the fair views which he had expressed in his replies. The company then adjourned to the opening of the new Town Hall.
THE OFFICIAL DINNER.
The official dinner to the Premier was given at the Katanning Hotel, some forty persons, including members of the Katanning Road Board and chairmen of adjoining Boards, being present to do honour to the head of the Government.
The toast list was a lengthy one, the sitting in consequence being prolonged until well after 10 o’clock, but the speeches were interesting and those present evidently enjoyed the function.
After the Loyal Toast had been honoured, the chairman, Mr. McLeod, proposed the toast of the Premier. He referred briefly to the occasion that had given rise to the function, and the pride felt by the town in the consummation of the Town Hall. He was pleased that the Premier had seen lit to promise new and more commodious public offices for the town and was confident that the business of the district would amply justify the proposed expenditure. The people of Katanning would be even prouder of their town when the new buildings were erected, and a fine block of public offices were established on the site of the present Lands Office.
Replying to the toast, the Premier said it had afforded him great pleasure to visit Katanning. The town and district were renowned throughout the State for their progressiveness and gave ample evidence of the confidence in them held by residents and the solid prosperity upon which they had been built. Although the member for the district, Mr. Thomson. was opposed to him politically he regarded him with the greatest friendliness and was more than pleased to be able to accept the hospitality offered to him. In that respect the Parliament of this State differed absolutely from those of the Eastern States, where opposing members, politically, carried their differences outside the House and were always at each other’s throats. The feeling of friendship, or lack or personal animosity, whichever it might be termed, was a good thing for Western Australia, for in fundamentals all sections of Parliament had one object only in view and that was the advancement of the State. He
recognised, as did his colleagues in opposition, that the future of Western Australia depended practically entirely upon Primary Production, and he and they were eager to cooperate and did cooperate most successfully on all questions of rural development. An opposition was absolutely necessary for the proper administration of any country or State, for there were always two sides to a question, one of which might be overlooked but for those on the other side of the House. On all big questions affecting the well-being of the people of this State, all parties and members of Parliament rose above party and personal differences, and that was the secret of the steady progress the State was making.
The toast of Parliament was proposed by Mr. W. J. Rogers and responded to by Hons. Hector Stewart
and C. H. Wittenoom, M’s.L.C., and Messrs. Lutey, Panton and E. B. Johnston, M’s.L.A., and the Leader of the Country Party, Mr. A. Thomson, M.L.A.
Mr. Johnston referred to the early history of the Great Southern. The railway from Albany to Beverley had been built by the late Anthony Hordern on the land grant principle, so much land being given in consideration of the line being built and maintained by the builder. The result of this concession was that the best of the country adjoining the railway had been acquired by the company formed to carry out the work, which was offered to settlers at £3 and £4 per acre. Such high prices restricted settlement and the whole district was stagnant until the late Hon. F. H. Piesse induced his Government to purchase back the concession and the line at a cost of £1,100,000. No Government had ever expended money to a better advantage and, from the date of that purchase, Western Australia had commenced to forge ahead. The new territory referred to by the Premier offered a similar opportunity to the State, but Mr. Collier had learned by experience the fallacy of granting concessions for railway building and his Government was very wisely undertaking the work on behalf of the State. He was confident that in very few years there would be similar prosperity In
the country to be opened up as existed today in the Great Southern districts. Western Australia was a
wonderful State and he was proud to be associated with it and its Parliament.
Mr. A. Thomson said he was glad to be able to respond to the toast of Parliament at an occasion where so many representatives of the Legislature were present. He regretted that Mr. Glasheen, M.L.C., and Mr. Stubbs. M.L.A., were absent, and made their apologies. The Premier had referred to the good feeling which existed between members of Parliament in the House, although of opposing Parties. This was quite true, but the friendliness between members of one party and members of another party was very greatly due to the personality of the Leader of the Government, Mr. Collier. Mr. Collier took hard blows and gave harder during debates in the Houses, but never failed in courtesy and consideration to all members, of whatever political creed. Another source of strength of the present Government was the system of control, whereby every Minister was responsible for his own Department.
He agreed with the Premier when he said that every member of Parliament was imbued with the desire to further the welfare of Western Australia. They did not all think alike, but according to their individual convictions each one strove in the interests of the State. If at a future election the will of the people decided for a change of Government, the present Ministry would be able to relinquish the reins of administration knowing that each had done his best for the State and its people. He had to thank the proposer of the toast for the manner in which it was given and those present for its reception. He was proud of being a member of Parliament, particularly as the representative of Katanning.
The toast “The Architects’ was entrusted to Mr. A. Prosser, who congratulated Messrs. Eales and Cohen upon the splendid building that had been achieved under their supervision.
In proposing the toast of the Contractors, Mr. A. P. Watts pointed out that although the work of rebuilding the Town Hall had occupied many months, this was no fault of the contractors, who had sacrificed their own interests to permit the use of the hall practically throughout the whole time that the work was in progress. The town was indebted to Messrs. Thomson and Keenan for this consideration, which had enabled the Road Board to derive revenue which otherwise would have been lost. He considered, and thought everybody would agree, that the finished building was a tribute to the skill of the builders and added very greatly to the architectural beauty of the town.
Mr. A. Thomson said he was glad to respond to the toast on behalf of the firm, but credit for the successful carrying out or the work was due entirely to his partner, Mr. Keenan, and his staff of workmen. Practically the whole of the work in connection with the hall, turnings, fittings, mouldings, etc., had been executed in Katanning by the firm’s staff, while as much of the material used as possible was of Western Australian origin. He paid a tribute to the men employed on the building and said the successful consummation of the work was as much to their credit as the contractors. Many of the men had come to Katanning with him 26 years ago and were still in the employ of the firm, while the younger men had learned their trade and grown up with the firm. The greatest satisfaction to him was that the work was good and could only add to the reputation of all those who had been concerned in the erection of the building.
Mr. A. E. Piesse proposed the toast “Local Governing Bodies.” The speaker said the toast was one of the most important of the evening. Never before in the history of Western Australia had so much and so diversified responsibility been thrown on the shoulders of local governing bodies, and the Premier himself would be the first to acknowledge that without their services the Government would have difficulty in functioning. He, the speaker, had been associated with the district before the Katanning Road Board had come into existence as a separate entity. In those days Katanning was in the Williams electorate, and his brother, the late F. H. Piesse, when he first entered Parliament did so as the representative for Williams, with 168 electors on the roll.
At the following election, three years later, there were 350 electors on the roll, while today the same territory was represented by at least three separate electorates with a voting strength of nearly 20,000. He could claim, therefore, that he had watched the district grow from its first infancy. He had seen land which had been looked up on as of very doubtful value develop into highly successful and very valuable farming properties. He had followed its development through the period when the Goldfields were the lodestone attracting population to the State, and later, when settlers required no other inducement than the recognised value of the lands to bring them here. The Government had assisted development with liberal and wise policies of land settlement broadly, but it was the local governing bodies, by watching and working in the interests of the settlers themselves that had made development possible.
The toast was responded to by Mr. A. J. Blundy, chairman of the Kent Road Board, the final toast of the evening being that of the chairman, proposed by the Premier, Mr. Collier, thus bringing a very successful function to a close.
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