The opening of the new Dovedale hall was an event that had long been looked forward to by settlers in the Dovedale district.
A public hall was much-needed and long talked about, and eventually efforts were put forward to secure one.
The opening was a red-letter day in the history of the small settlement, and it was considered that it was only fitting that the occasion should be something to be remembered.
Preparations for the event were undertaken by the Hall Committee whose wish was to make the day a complete success, and great anticipation was felt by both young and old alike.
Early in the day on Friday the 7th of December 1900, vehicles and those on horses wound their way in the direction of the Hall and there was soon a large assembly of people present.
The Churchhill and Dovedale Schools were closed in honour of the occasion with visitors coming from Stanley Brook, Motueka, Ngatimoti, Sherry and the Waimeas.
Many of those present arrived in their best attire for such a great event.
Cricket matches were played during the day between Waimea West and Dovedale followed by Sherry against Dovedale juniors and finally a match for the schoolchildren.
The site for the hall was given by Mr J Smith and the building itself stood out prominently, overlooking the valley.
The cost was around £250 with the money being raised by private subscriptions and fundraising. Vaughan Bros. secured the contract to build the hall and records showed that the Committee said the workmanship displayed in its construction reflected creditably on the builders.
A flagstaff was erected and this with a large red ensign were gifts from Percy Adams of Nelson. The hall was 44 feet long by 27 feet wide, but when the anteroom is taken into consideration, it was fifty-eight feet long.
For the opening the hall walls were decorated with foliage and plants including ferns, foxgloves, deutzia, laurels and small native shrubs.
Shortly after four o’clock, Mr Hugh Kenyon mounted the platform and stated that the Hon. C. H. Mills had promised to perform the ceremony of opening the building but that the pressure of ministerial duties had prevented him from attending.
Instead, Mr W. Lock, a member of the Education Board, undertook the duty.
The Committee and residents of the district were congratulated on their enterprise and energy in securing such a nice building and the hall was formally declared to be open.
The daytime celebrations ended with a public tea.
In the evening a concert was given with the programme being a varied one, comprising of vocal and instrumental music, recitations, a sword dance, and Highland fling.
The proceedings were closed and soon after the hall was made ready for dancing, which was kept up until the small hours of Saturday morning.
The hall became a focal point for Dovedale residents with farewells, wedding receptions, sales, meetings and celebrations taking place under its roof.
