About Us
Town Hall Centenary
For many years past it has been generally recognised by ratepayers that the present town hall is inadequate for Clare's requirements.
Whether to build a new hall or make alterations to the old one has exercised the public mind for some time.
The town council recently made inquiries as to what amount could be borrowed for the purpose, and has ascertained that £5,000 can be borrowed on the security of the rates. It is very problematical whether this amount would be sufficient...
Town Hall History
A few months ago an agitation was on foot to enlarge the Clare Town Hall to meet public requirements. Opinion was divided as to the best means of making the improvement desired, and, the cost being great, the matter was allowed to drop for the time. It is obvious, however, that the matter must be taken up again within a few years and some-
thing definite decided upon.
​NEW TOWN HALL SITE FOR CLARE.
CLARE, July 16.—
Another step towards a new town hall for Clare was made on Tuesday evening, when Mrs. Christison, on behalf of the donors, presented the deeds of the old mill property to the mayor (Captain Menzies), as the representative of the town.
There was a good attendance at the Hall and the mayor presided.
He stated that the meeting had been called to receive the gift, free of cost to the town, of the title deeds of the old mill property, which would be presented on behalf of the donors by Mrs. Christison.
The committee which had managed the collecting had practically been promised £2,200. the greater part of which had been paid. The people of Clare and district had responded magnificently to the appeal.
The corporation would now get a move on and have the new hall erected as soon as possible.
An agreement had been drawn up between the corporation and the representatives of the donors (Messrs. Victorsen, Harmer, Menzies, and Bails).
The town clerk (Mr. A. J. Thompson) read the agreement.
Mr J. Victorsen said the main provision of the agreement was that the land was given conditionally; that the corporation called tenders for erecting a new town hall on or before December 31, 1926. ​
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NEW TOWN HALL FOR CLARE.
On Saturday last a poll of rate-payers of the Town of Clare was taken to decide whether power should be given by the Town Council to borrow up to £5,000 on the security of the rates, or not, for the erection of a new Town Hall on the old mill site.
The result was an easy win for those in favor of the proposal, the figures being 206 for, and 34 against, whilst three recorded informal votes, two of whom wrote "yes" across the paper.
The next step is an application to the Commissioner of Crown Lands for his consent to the proposal, and it was resolved at the council meeting held on Monday night that application be made to him at once.
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THE NEW TOWN HALL FOR CLARE.
The Corporation has received a number of plans for the proposed new town hall, which are now on view at the Corporation office, and ratepayers who are interested should take advantage of the opportunity of seeing them.
At a special meeting of the council held on Monday it was decided to ask Mr. Chris. A. Smith, one of the architects who had forwarded plans, to—
1. Quote a price for plans submitted.
2. Quote a price for plans, specifications, and estimate of cost of erecting.
3. Quote a price for the whole of the above and also supervising and doing the whole of the work of architect for the building
4. The council would like the estimated cost of plan as submitted. When these are received the council will give the matter further consideration.
There is, however, a matter in connection with the building of the new hall to which we wish to direct attention.
All the plans submitted provide for an underground supper room—to be built under the stage, and which will be about four feet underground. However suitable this maybe for halls in drier districts ve can hardly think that such arrangement is suitable for a hall in Clare.
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The town is situated in a basin of the Hutt River formed by the surrounding hills, and water found at a shallow depth along the whole of the flat on which the biggest part of the town is built.
In winters when the rainfall is excessive the water rises considerably into practically all the cellars along Main street and more particularly on the eastern side, water percolates, and they are unfit for use during the winter months and damp and musty during the summer.
Cementing on the inside walls does not keep the water out, as it percolates through the cement. Unless some method of keeping the water and damp out can be found, we feel certain that the placing of the supper room underground would be a waste of money, as the room would soon be rendered unfit for use.
As the new hall will have to serve the town and district for a great many years to come, we think the matter ought to be more closely looked into before anything is finalised. We feel sure that if they inspect the cellars nearest to the site of the new hall the council will come to the same conclusion as we have.
Tenders are called in our advertising columns for the erection of the new Hall for Clare. Mr Chris A. Smith is the architect. Tenders must be in by Thursday March 19th, and plans and specifications can be seen at the Town Clerk's office.
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The New Town Hall For Clare.
The Mayor, (Captain Menzies) announced on Tuesday evening that the contract for the New Town Hall for Clare had been let to Mr. A. J. Bowley for £6,990. The work is to be completed within nine months.
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Foundation Stone Laid. CLARE
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This afternoon the foundation stone of the new town hall for Clare, which is centrally situated in Main street, was laid by His Excellency the Administrator (Mr. Acting Chief Justice Poole).
There was a large attendance of residents and school children, and the Mayor of Clare (Capt. D. Menzies) presided.
On their arrival by the morning train. His Excellency, Mrs. and Miss Poole were driven round the town.
At 1 o'clock an official luncheon took place at the Clare Hotel, tendered to the party by the corporation. After luncheon an inspection of the magnificent new hospital was made.
At 2 o'clock the ceremony of laying the foundation stone was begun. An address of welcome was presented, and His Excellency expressed appreciation of the invitation to be present, also thanking the residents for the hospitality which they had extended to him and to his family.
He further said the hall would be a continual reminder to the people of the energy and ability that had been banded together to achieve a common object, and he was pleased that that day they had reached the summit of their ambition.
He concluded by wishing the people of Clare all success in their project, continued prosperity and progress, and thanked them sincerely for the way in which he had been received.
Amid applause he declared the stone well and truly laid.
* Justice Poole suffered severely from asthma. His first holiday was in January 1927 when doctors persuaded him to visit Colombo.
He died of heart failure at Prospect on 2 May 1927, survived by his parents, wife and three daughters.
Meet The Team
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Fri 16 Apr 1926 , page 5
Clare's New Town Hall To be Opened on Wednesday, - April 21.
Mr. A. J. Bowley, contractor for Clare's New Town Hall, commenced the work in May of last year. The building has steadily progressed, and now, eleven months later, is just about completed, bar a few finishing touches here, and there, and will be ready for the opening on Wednesday, April 21.
Mr. Bowley has had much experience in erecting public buildings, and the excellent workmanship put into the new hall reflects the greatest credit upon him and his workmen. Mr. Bowley generally supervised the operations :
the building, plastering and cement work was carried out under Mr. Walter Sharpen's directions ;
the carpenter's work under Mr. Will Sharpen ;
and the painting by Mr. E Rowlands.
Mr Chris A Smith was the architect.
Now that the building is practically completed it presents a very fine appearance, inside and out, and will add very considerably to the architecture of the town.
Much discussion ensued, as our readers will remember, when the plans were accepted by the Corporation, and fault found with various things in connection with the building, but we think all will admit now that it is a very fine structure.
From the front the hall has a very attractive appearance. The Corinthian archway and' pillars at the front entrance give a finishing' touch that appeals to the eye. The whole of the front has been cemented, and then finished off in biscuit color, with pleasing effects.
The Street entrance (12 feet in. width) through four large folding doors leads to a vestibule of pleasing appearance, 14 feet long, nicely finished with white, fibrous ceiling, and wood cover mould in brown.
Friday 23 April 1926, page 9
Plastering (Cementing) Clare's New Town Hall.
Mr. A. Eckert, builder and plasterer, of No. 11, Cheltenham Street, Rosefield, Fullarton, under contract with Mr. Bowley, completed the plastering of the front of the New Town Hall this week.
The work has been admirably carried out, and Mr. Eckert advertises in our business columns that he is desirous that people of Clare and district, who have friends in the city requiring that class of work, should recommend him to these friends, when he will be pleased to supply prices. His motto is : ' Let the work speak for itself.'
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Builder Mr. A. J. Bowley has gained considerable prominence as a first class building contractor, and it is significant that most of the public buildings in the town are of 'Bowley' construction.
Further examples of his expert workmanship are contained in several of the modern shops recently erected in Main Street, while other important jobs completed by him are the Clare Town Hall, Clare District Hospital, Clare State Savings Bank, Police Station Building, and the Spalding Post Office.
He has assuredly contributed , to the general welfare of the town and district, and has always taken a very keen interest in all civic affairs, having been Mayor of Clare for several terms.
Town Hall Opened
Opening Ceremony.
A crowd of more than a thousand people congregated around the town hall for the opening ceremony.
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The National Anthem was sung by the school children, and an address of welcome was read by the town Clerk (Mr. A. Wightman). His Excellency acknowledged the expression of loyalty.
The Mayor asked the Governor to open the hall.
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The ceremony, he said, was one of which every resident of Clare and the surrounding districts had awaited for years.
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When they viewed Its architectural structure and beautiful decoration they could realize they had a hall to be proud of and to boast about.
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The building and furnishing of the hall had cost more than £8000. He thanked all who had assisted in the erection, and appealed to the people to stand by future corporations in meeting the liabilities.
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Other Functions.
After the doors had been unlocked and flung open, the viceregal party inspected the hall, and, as an opening to a fair in progress in the auditorium in aid of the funds received the people as they passed in.
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The festivities were continued in the evening with a concert, at which Items were given by the Clare Orchestra and local and visiting performers. The day o£ celebration concluded with a dance.
Description of Hall.
The building, which has been executed in a striking Corinthian design, is outstanding among the many prominent buildings in the town.
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Facing the main street, in the heart of the town, the entrance is imposing, being in the form of an arch supported by double pillars.
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Built of local bluestone, with the front finished with white cement, the structure is 142 ft. long and 65 ft. wide.
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The spacious lofty auditorium is 70 ft. by 62 ft., and the stage is 38 ft. deep. The hall will accommodate 714.
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A feature of the' structure is a rare form of beautiful Venetian lattice work in the ceiling.
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There is a large vestibule supported by the corporation office. Mayor's parlour, offices to be let, and cloakrooms.
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Above are a large assembly room and a fireproof biography room.
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Behind the stage are supper and dressing rooms. The floor has been built for dancing.
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Powerful electric lights are delicately hidden in the domes which form part of the ornamentation of the ceiling.
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Provision has been made for the addition of a dress circle when required.
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Governor's Speech 23 April 1926
Chronicle (Adelaide, SA) Sat 24 Apr 1926 Page 48
His Excellency said he had heard a great deal about the natural beauty and productivity of Clare, and his visit had shown him that the reports were not exaggerated.
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They had a beautiful town in a wonderful climate, but what was better, they had land whose fertility and richness could not be exaggerated.
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Clare possessed great opportunities for closer settlement.
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The opening of a new town hall was a prominent mark in the progress of the district, not only because it added greatly to the dignity of the town, but also because it added to the amenities of country life and to the enjoyment, particularly of the young people, and perhaps would thereby arrest the drift towards the capital city, which they were told was one of the disturbing features of modern social life.
Residential Centre.
Clare had enormous possibilities as a big residential centre, continued His Excellency,
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It was the best suited he had seen in South Australia.
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When the town got its waterworks—(laughter and cheers) —and its cold storage plant, and a good road from the south, he thought they would find that people would flock to Clare.
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They should encourage the increase of their population.
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He knew of many families in the old country, latterly impoverished by the war, who would be far better off in Clare, under present circumstances, than at home.
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All the machinery for the transfer of those people existed, and every Government and every political party in Australia agreed that it was vital to increase the population by a further transfusion of blood from the old country.
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In conclusion, he wished the town every prosperity (Applause.)
Mr. J. Bails moved, and Mr. T. P. Gillen seconded, a vote of thanks to His Excellency.
Sir George Tom Molesworth Bridges (1871-1939), lieutenant-general and governor, was born on 20 August 1871 at Park Farm, Eltham, Kent, England, third son of Major Thomas Walker Bridges and his wife Mary Ann, née Philippi.
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Educated at Newton Abbot College and the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich, he was commissioned in 1892 and spent his early service in India and Nyasaland. In the South African War for a few months in 1901 he commanded the 5th and 6th Western Australian (Mounted Infantry) Contingents. On 14 November 1907 in London, he married a widow, Janet Florence Marshall, née Menzies; they had one daughter.
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For exploits in the Balkans, Russia and Asia Minor, he was appointed K.C.M.G. (1919) and K.C.B. (1925). His uncle Robert Bridges, the poet laureate, honoured him with an ode, 'To His Excellency'.
In 1922, at the instigation of his friend and admirer (Sir) Winston Churchill, Sir Tom accepted appointment as governor of South Australia on specially favoured terms; he arrived in Adelaide in December. A thorough conservative, he was a staunch defender of capital punishment and the Legislative Council, scorned indolent 'unemployables', and was popular with returned servicemen.
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Clare's New Town Hall
An entertainment was given by the Musical Gardiners at the Clare Town Hall on Wednesday evening.
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It was noticeable that the songs and dialogues could not be heard clearly and distinctly all over the hall.
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In one item, a dialogue of fair length, the audience became so impatient that they commenced to use their feet on the floor.
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Those seated more than half way down the hall from the stage could hardly distinguish a word that was uttered.
When the item was concluded Mr. Gardiner referred to the matter.
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He said the audience could not blame his company. The acoustic properties of the hall were not all that could be desired.
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They had given entertainments in much larger halls than that of Clare throughout Australia, and could always be easily heard.
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In an interview afterwards with our reporter Mr. Gardiner reiterated his statements.
The hall was very attractive in appearance, but there was something wrong with the acoustic properties,
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A modulated voice could be heard fairly distinctly all over the hall, but when the full power of the voice was used there was an echo which prevented proper hearing.
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He suggested that if lines of wire were stretched across the hall it might make the difference required.
He also found fault with the stage lighting arrangements.
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The lights on the stage were open to the view of the audience.
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These lights should be masked from the audience to reflect on the performers.
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There were no stage footlights, which were absolutely necessary.
It will be remembered that at the concert on the night the hall was opened Mr. Walter Wood, whose company gave the concert, said the acoustic properties. were alright.
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That evening the hall was crowded, and the singers rendered their items in front of the stage curtain, which was down.
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These facts may have made a difference in the acoustic properties
on that evening.
The present Clare Town Hall was opened on 21 April 1926. Its striking design made it a prominent feature of the main street. The Clare Regional History Group has rooms upstairs in the Town Hall Foyer and is open Fridays 1PM to 4PM.
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This exhibition, open 9AM to 5 PM in the Foyer of the Town Hall, illustrates the design and construction of the hall and the community activities that made it the centre of social life in Clare and district for 100 years.
Connect with the past or relive the happy memories.
Open weekdays until 31 May 2026.
