For many years, Lower Moutere residents held meetings and community events in the local schoolroom. Wanting a more suitable venue, the community built a public hall in 1887.
With little money to complete the 19 by 40 feet structure, most of the work was carried out through subscriptions and voluntary labour, although a small mortgage was still required. Many of the men worked throughout the day in their regular jobs, then returned in the evenings to help finish the hall. The site was provided by Mr Tennant, chosen for its central location and proximity to the road.
The hall was formally opened in July with a ceremony conducted by His Lordship the Bishop. Games of cricket and rounders ran throughout the day, followed by a community tea, entertainment and supper.
One of the first major events held in the new hall, in October, was a monster meeting of the Blue Ribbon Army. The Blue Ribbon Army was part of the international Gospel Temperance Movement, which promoted abstinence from alcohol. The event attracted a large crowd from across the Nelson district.
The hall quickly became the centre of the small community.
In August 1890 a meeting of farmers was held to discuss forming a Farmers Cooperative Society. In June 1896 a debate drew locals to the hall to consider the question, “Is it right for the State to prohibit the manufacture, importation and sale of alcoholic liquors?” Messrs Holdaway and Cresswell held the affirmative, while Mr Guy presented the negative. The entrance fee from this event funded the painting of the hall.
In April 1899 the important topic of the Freezing Works project was debated, with Mr Easton appointed chair. The meeting ended with a resolution proposed by A. R. Edwards and seconded by Frank Herrick that “this meeting is of the opinion that it is desirable the freezing works should be established in the Nelson District”. It was also proposed that Moutere was central and therefore a suitable site. A committee was appointed to explore the idea further.
In early 1919 locals gathered again to discuss how best to support the RSA in establishing a memorial recreation ground for Lower Moutere.
A particularly sad incident occurred in April 1927 following a successful community dance at the hall. Mrs Yolander Murphy, 21, wife of C. R. Murphy, was walking home when a car travelling in the same direction struck her from behind. She was taken to Motueka Cottage Hospital but died a short time later. The inquest found she had been hit by a defective car door that swung open, and the driver was found guilty of operating the vehicle in a negligent manner.
By the 1950s the old hall was no longer fit for purpose and was replaced with a new building. For many years the original Jubilee Hall sat unused and was gradually overtaken by foliage. It was finally demolished in 2012.
