By WAYNE THOMPSON
A project begun 70 years ago to honour the fallen of World War I has been finally completed on Auckland's North Shore.
The challenge of raising money to build a war memorial hall was taken up by 15 families of Glenfield, then a rural outpost, during the 1930s Depression.
They
selected a hilltop site, which had wide views of Rangitoto Island but was riddled with holes left by gumdiggers.
Fundraising fell short of costs, which worried the families because they had put up their own homes as security for the building, and they were forced to delete the supper room from the plans.
Since the hall opened in 1934, the names of nine Glenfield men who died in World War II have been added to the memorial plaque for the 14 killed in the 1914-18 war.
The weatherboard hall became a less significant landmark as the suburb matured. The building was rundown and little-used when resident Bruce Powell decided to enlist the aid of the Lions Club of Hillcrest - a club with only female members - to spruce it up and complete the original project by adding a supper room.
Mr Powell, 86, a war veteran and retired draughtsman, drew up plans for a modern addition and persuaded the North Shore City Council and the Glenfield Community Board to add a grant of $140,000 towards the Lions' $15,000 contribution.
Three years' work later, Mr Powell thought a fitting official opening was in order, and invited the Governor-General.
On Saturday, Dame Silvia Cartwright cut the ribbon to the supper-room door - unleashing a procession of volunteers bearing teapots and plates of scones.
Mr Powell said he hoped the hall would have a new life as a buzzing social centre despite busier lifestyles. Already there had been a promising sign of a return to gentler times - the hall recently hosted a "tea dance".
