The Mount Bruce Community

The way rural communities like Mt Bruce, "look after their own" is well illustrated in this recollection of Howard Nicol who grew-up in the area.

Howard, now living in Australia, recalls an incident at the Hall around 1945 when he was 12 years old. Apparently a young, earnest, policeman from Masterton turned up at one of the regular Saturday "socials". As was the custom of the time there was no drinking in the hall so a tent out the back provided the important "watering-hole" for the men. Howard says all the men in the area appeared to have nicknames which they seemed to use all the time and he often did not know what there real names were.
The most forthright of these was 'Mot' Walsh and it was he who quickly and decisively dealt with the policeman's question, "So what's going on here then?"
"Have you had any complaints?" asks the self-appointed spokesman.
"No", came the timid reply
"Well you won't be getting any neither. You've no business 'round here. What happens here is our affair and we look after our own around here."
So with that stern "telling off" the young policeman duly departed and no repeat visits were ever made.

Howard Nicol 2014

The exact words may be in doubt but it is clear the community was used to looking after itself and doing things their own way. These social events were a way of bonding the community and catching-up on the comings and goings in the district. The community halls in the wider area took monthly turns at hosting the Saturday night socials - so there'd be a "Do" to go to most weekends.

Mt Bruce Tennis Club

The hall hosted a very strong tennis club for many years as can be seen by the number of supporters during this game around 1946. The clay courts were of a very high standard.

With a thriving club at Opaki just down the road and sealed courts at Miki Miki School just up the road playing at the hall gradually came to an end.

Women's Institute at the Hall 1936

This photo shows a group of locals attending a Women's Institute meeting held at the Hall around about 1936. The Mt Bruce WI have been regular users of the Hall.

1 Ngaire Campbell, 2 Ngaire McLachlan, 3 Maureen McLachlan, 4 Maggie Daken (nee Campbell), 5 Mrs Claude Welch, 6 ?, 7 Olive Campbell, 8 ?, 9 ?, 10 ?, 11 Isla Campbell, 12 Grannie Campbell (nee Blatchford), 13 Ida Reader, 14 Marge Reader, 15 Male Visitor, 16 ?, 17 Mildred Te Tau?.

Masterton Harrier Club

The Masterton Harrier Club was one of many outside groups who made regular use of our hall.

Provincial Championships - Hutt Park 1927

Standing from left to right; A.O'Donnal, T.Smith, R.A.Rose, N.Trass, L.Smith, W.Winhall, L.Trass, L.Emery, N.Winhall, J.Bradbury, J.Kitchener.
Front Row: E.J.Heffer, R.Campbell, A. Keats, J.J.Hunter, S.Carr, S.Spicer, B.Peters.

Apologies for any errors. More information on other groups using our hall would be appreciated.

Wairarapa News Article

Mt Bruce Hall Centenary - September 2014

While many rural community halls have fallen into disrepair or disappeared altogether from today’s social scene there are some who have thrived through the decades and even taken on a new lease of life. The Mt Bruce Hall, north of Masterton is one of them and in September next year it celebrates its 100^th birthday.

Many people will remember the dances, some raising funds for the ‘war effort’, others will recall the table tennis tournaments and the tennis socials. Father Christmas always visited Mt Bruce Hall much to the local children’s delight. More recently, there has been a Sunday afternoon darts tournament, a fancy dress party, a popular plant and garage sale and the Melbourne Cup celebrations complete with unique fashion attire, champagne and a barbecue. There is even a Mt Bruce Hall cup which is competed for in a variety of fun ways often coinciding with Guy Fawkes.

These events, regular fundraising and hall maintenance are overseen by the Mt Bruce Hall Society, a dedicated group of locals which has meant the hall has been well looked after, and at times upgraded when the building begins to show its age.

In the early 1900s, Mt Bruce settlers were hankering for their own community hall. It was a thriving district with farms cleared and being established, several busy timber mills and a 20 pupil school established in April 1897.

The school was on the corner of Kiriwhakapapa Road and the main road heading north to Mt Bruce. It was immediately the focal point of the fledgling community and it was eagerly decided the settlers wanted somewhere to gather and kick up their heels.

The first official hall meeting on 10 July 1914 was held in the new school and attracted around 18 people. They agreed the hall should be built on the main road, probably between the boundaries of Mikimiki Road and north to Harding’s Stable. Several sites were enthusiastically offered by the local landowners and it was decided to be built on Hugh Campbell’s road side paddock.

The hall was built for 212 Pounds by Welch Bros and was known as the Upper Opaki Settlers Hall, eventually changing to the Mt Bruce Hall. The doors were just in and the paint hardly dry when the first dance was held on 11 September 1914. A few hours before, the popular MP for Wairarapa, Sir Walter Buchanan, had officially opened the new hall. The inaugural dance was the first of many held over the years, especially during the war when they were bitter-sweet events raising money for ‘comforts’ for the troops overseas.

In September 2014, the centenary celebrations will be held at the hall over three days. The hall now sitting a few kilometres up the road from its original site on the corner of Kiriwhakapapa Road and state highway two. It used to sit opposite

A Mt Bruce Hall Centenary Committee has been established and co-ordinator Gill Murray said she’s thrilled with the support and enthusiasm already displayed in making the celebrations a special event.

As much memorabilia is being sought for displays and for a book is being written to be released at the time of the 100^th anniversary. If anyone has any stories/photos/ special memories of the Mt Bruce Hall could they please contact: Gill Murray phone 377 3277 or email gill.murray@xtra.co.nz

or Marlene Ditchfield 06 370 9309 email marlroy@wise.net.nz or email mountbrucehall100@gmail.com

Maurice Hunt

As part of the Centennial there is a proposal to erect a memorial for those who served in the wars especially our only local fallen serviceman Maurice Hunt.

Although many ex-pupils of the Mikimiki School served in the Services both overseas and in New Zealand in World War II the only one who left from the Mt Bruce district and lost his life was Flying Officer Maurice Hunt, third son of Mr & Mrs R Hunt. Maurice recieved his primary education at the Mikimiki School and was a most popular lad, being very bright and musical. 
After receiving some training at New Zealand air station Maurice left for Canada in January 1943, and had further training there. Soon after his arrival in England he gained his commission (November 1943). He was pilot of a Lancaster bomber and it was on his 27th flight over Germany that his plane was shot down and he lost is life on March 18, 1945.

The above excerpt is from the Mikimiki School Golden Jubilee Booklet (1947).

Mt Bruce Hall

On 10th July 1914 a meeting of settlers was called and a committee formed to proceed with the building of a hall. The site was donated by Mr H. Campbell after the committee investigated several other offers and the building was commenced by Welch Bros. finance being raised by subscription.
The hall was completed in three months at a total cost of
₤212. and the first dance was held on 11th September, 1914.

From the "80 Years Anniversary" attendance ticket.