The Wallaroo Town Hall foundation stone was laid by the Mayor William Richardson, after a procession of infantry and school children. The Song of Australia was sung by the children.
On 19 November 1902 the hall was opened by the Premier, J G Jenkins.
Architect: Claude Lindsay, Unley.
Contractor: C H Coltman.
Ref’s: The Yorkes Peninsula Advertiser 28-3-1902, Advertiser (Adelaide) 21-11-1902.
On 17 March 1923 Mrs S McKee laid the foundation stone of the Soldiers’ Arch Memorial, commemorating local fallen soldiers of the Great War 1914–1919. Of 281 enlistees 52 paid the supreme sacrifice. The Wallaroo town band led the proceedings and the song of Australia was sung. Mr S E Martin, AMIE, of Wallaroo designed the granite and marble arch sited in front of the Wallaroo Town Hall.
The Arch Memorial was erected through the efforts of the ladies of The Wallaroo Cheer Up Society and the local branch of the R.S.S.I.L.A. Supported by the public.
Column inside panels display enlistees of World War Two 1939–1945 and Vietnam. Names listed are from the Royal Australian Navy,
Australian Imperial Force and the Royal Australian Air Force.
Ref: Kadina and Wallaroo Times 21-2-1923.
* Fire - Wallaroo Town Hall Destroyed December 26
The town hall, built about 15 years ago, was totally destroyed by fire this morning. The municipal picture show was held last night, and the caretaker left everything in order at midnight. The police report that at 3 o'clock this morning there was no sign of fire. About 5 o'clock the sounding of the smelting works' whistle gave the alarm, but nothing could be done to save the building.
The Savings Bank branch is located in the building, and — thanks to heroic work of the fire fighters—the books and most of the contents were saved.
Two pianos, the whole of the furniture, and everything else in the hall were destroyed. The total loss is estimated at £7,000, which is partly covered by insurance. The fire represents a calamity to the town. The corporation will meet today to consider the position. The police have the matter in hand.
Ref: Journal (Adelaide SA)Wednesday 26 December 1917.
*Fine Building Destroyed
A fire mysteriously occurred in the Town Hall at Wallaroo on Boxing Day, resulting in the building being completely gutted.
One drawback to the fire fighters was the lack of a brigade or proper fire-fighting appliances.
Ref: Chronicle (Adelaide SA) Saturday 5 January 1918.
*Wallaroo Town Hall Fire Inquest
Mr James Malcolm (coroner) held an inquest on the town hall fire at the courthouse, Wallaroo, on December 27. Mounted-Constable O'Connell appeared for the police, And Mr Paine and Mr Richard Tonkin for insurance companies.
John Henry Lindsay, caretaker of the town hall deposed that on the evening of the 25th inst he extinguished the lights after the picture show had closed.
George Gordon Hollands, picture show proprietor, said there were various ways a fire could be caused by the cinematograph machinery driven by electricity. At the conclusion of the performance the majority of the cinema machines were covered with a cloth. Should the cloth come in contact with the lamp-house, not momentarily, but for a length of time, that might cause a fire.
Every practical operator made a point of examining all electrical connections, from the main switch that entered the building to the terminals of the arc lamp occasionally.
Constable O'Connell said a man named Theim reported at the police station that the town hall building was on fire. He communicated with the fire brigade at Kadina by telephone. They stated they could not come. He then proceeded to the town hall building. A good number of men were present. He saw Mr Thorpe the Savings Bank manager, and assistants taking books and documents from the rooms in the building used as a Savings Bank. He walked round the building to the rear of the premises. The greatest flame appeared under the dress circle. The fire had not reached the rear of the premises, nor had it properly entered the corporation offices. The window was broken from the outside by Councillor Young, and Mr Lindsay, and a quantity of books and stationery, the property of the corporation, was removed through the window.
Ref: Chronicle (Adelaide SA) Saturday 5 January 1918.
*Wallaroo Town Hall Fire. A Verdict of Arson
The inquest into the fire at the Town Hall, which was adjourned on December 27, was reopened at the Courthouse on January 1, before Mr James Malcolm and a jury.
William Theim a farmer who first reported the fire stated he was passing the hall about 4.30 am, and noticed smoke. The flames appeared to be on the south side of the building. He saw no persons in the vicinity, and after he reported the matter to his wife he hurried to the police station and gave the alarm.
Leonard Jeffery Iron, a loco man employed at the railway workshops, stated that he first noticed the smoke about 4 o'clock. On arrival at the hall he entered the building through the south ante-room door, which he found closed but not locked. The flames had then a good hold of the building, and the seat of the fire appeared to be in the south side directly under the dress circle. He had to get out of the building as quickly as possible owing to the smoke and fumes.
William Camden Hotton, engineer and manager of the Municipal Pictures, stated that the strictest precautions had been observed regarding the operation of the cinema. In every possible manner everything was done to prevent a fire. He produced the motor and film box in Court, and asserted that from practical experience he could show that the fire did not originate in or near the lantern house.
The witness, who remained in the box for nearly an hour, was closely examined by Coroner, solicitor, and police officer.
Frederick Symons electrical engineer, tendered evidence of the efficiency of the installation of the town hall, and particularly regarding the resistance. He scouted the idea that the fire originated from the resistance room, and was equally emphatic regarding the theory advanced in previous evidence regarding a fire originating from "static" electricity.
The Coroner, in summing up, said the jury should bear in mind the fact that the nation was at war. It was the policy of the enemy to have his agents who would destroy public buildings. From the nature of the evidence tendered he was of the opinion that the circumstances were suspicious. The fact that smoke had been discovered in an air vent leading to the floor, near the south side where the fire was considered to have originated, was very significant. It was the only air opening in the building disturbed, and directly near to the supposed seat of the fire. The jury brought in a verdict that the town hall was set on fire by some person or persons unknown on the morning of December 26.
It is considered that the corporation will, in view of the verdict, offer a substantial reward for information. On the morning after the fire it is stated that the watchman reported that a motor car, drove to the hall at 2 am and stopped. The occupants on observing that a watchman was in charge, restarted the car, and made off without any explanation of their visit. The whole affair is shrouded in mystery, and many residents are convinced that the building could not have been destroyed so quickly unless it had been purposely set alight.
Ref: Observer (Adelaide SA) Saturday 12 January 1918.
*Wallaroo’s Town Hall
Our local correspondent writes—The Wallaroo Town Hall, originally erected in 1902 at a cost of about £3,500, and destroyed by fire on December 26, 1917, has been rebuilt, and the work is now completed. The opening ceremony will take place this week and will be performed by the ex-Mayor (Mr T E Ashton). The corporation have spared no expense in making the new building up to date. Mr Quinton Bruce, of Adelaide, was engaged as architect, and the whole of the work has been carried out under his personal supervision. The contract was let to Messrs Emmet & Sons, of Norwood, and operations started in June 1918.
Except for the main walls the building has been completely remodelled. The general appointments, furnishings, and fittings are far in advance of the average hall, and the opinion is freely expressed by visitors and others that Wallaroo possesses the most handsome and up-to-date country town hall in the State.
It boasts of a stage the dimensions of 45 ft x 29 ft, a capacious and luxuriously decorated auditorium, and a striking facade. The main hall has seating accommodation for 630 persons, and an additional 240 can be accommodated in the dress circle upstairs.
All the provisions of the Entertainments Act have been complied with.
Spacious dressing rooms, lavatories, a kitchen, and other conveniences are also provided. The ornate and massive ceiling, constructed of moulded fibrous plaster, is the admiration of all. There are three lofty ventilators, and the roof is constructed on the sliding principle, so as to provide for ample ventilation.
A grand concert piano, costing £100 (the gift of the Rowing Club), and a second-grade instrument are installed.
A cinema house will be in demand for the picture business.
Upstairs in the front portion the Mayor's parlour and council chambers are located, and a suite of offices for the Town Clerk and Savings Bank, all elegantly furnished, add considerably to the value of the place.
The electric light has been installed throughout. Attention has been given to the beautifying of the approaches, and instead of a barren and unsightly entrance, lawns and evergreen hedges have been planted and a garden prepared in front.
The contract for the ceiling was carried out by Messrs A E Pitt & Sons, and the scenery was executed by Mr Nelson Wood.
The total expenditure, including the town clock to arrive shortly (the gift of Mr Richard Tonkin), will amount approximately to £10,000.
Ref: Observer (Adelaide SA) Saturday 22 February 1919.
