This hall was constructed in 1943 after an intense fundraising effort. The total construction cost was just over £1000, with most of the cost, except for a £200 government subsidy, raised by the school committee and the home and school association. The plans were prepared by Education Board architect Mr C.H. Moore and he also supervised the construction - he retired the same year.
The hall was officially opened on 1 May 1943 and just over two months later on 17 July 1943, Mr James Garcia, who had been a member of the committee and also chairman of the home and school association, died. In memory of his efforts in fundraising activities, the new hall was officially named the Garcia Hall.
Related items:
Westown carnival raises £430 toward new room (Taranaki Daily News 6 November 1942)
Mr James Garcia's death occurs at New Plymouth (Taranaki Daily News 19 July 1943)
Tributes paid to Mr Garcia (Taranaki Daily News 20 July 1943)
Board voices regret (Taranaki Daily News 22 July 1943)
New Assembly Hall erected at Westown (Taranaki Daily News 12 October 1943)
Westown School's new Assembly Hall (Taranaki Daily News 17 December 1943)
Review of Westown Home Association (Taranaki Daily News 27 May 1944)
James Garcia's letter book (Puke Ariki collection)
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