Te Poi war memorial hall
The Te Poi First World War Memorial Hall was opened on 11 August 1922. A tablet was placed on the exterior wall listing the names of two men who had given their lives (S. Goddard, T. Hargreaves) and seven others who had also served.
After the Second World War, a new hall was built next to the original hall. The foundation stone was laid on 21 November 1953 and the hall was officially opened on 16 November 1957. The Te Poi Second World War roll of honour, displayed inside, lists the names of eight men who gave their lives (F. Abbott, S. Atutahi, R.H. Bell, T.I. Harray, F. Hobden, E.G. Stokes, M. Swap, A.G. Thomas) and 52 others who also served. Since 2019 the hall has been closed as an earthquake risk.
See Te Poi and Selwyn, 1912-1987: A History of the Schools and District, Te Poi, 1987, pp. [i], 16, 64, 68; Joan Stanley, Down at the Hall: Celebrating Matamata County Halls, Matamata, 2009; 'Rarity of Waikato war memorial highlighted', Waikato Times, 15/1/2016.
Text: Bruce Ringer, 2023
Images: Esther Bell