The old Mechanics Institute Hall (now being used by the Lawson people as a multi purpose community
hall) is considered by the locals to be a building of some significance. The Roads and Traffic Authority
wanted to tear it down however in order to facilitate the widening of the highway. The dispute wore
on for a couple of years while the road development remained something of a mess. In the end a
compromise was reached under which the building remained but the beautiful portico was quite
literally lopped off to create the necessary room. Even then, the break-down lane had to be
compromised at this point.