In reviewing the startup with
I obtained a bunch of subsequent identical error messages saying
without any further consequences visible for normal user
To find out what there was going on, I fabricated an empty file with suitable access rights, thus obtaining
so I assume this executable is somehow needed normally by one of the demon scripts upward this branch of the directory tree, where database-extracts of configuration parameters and script-templates reside.

This kind of reverse-unveiling the systemd labyrinth is at present an academic exercise for me, so I would appreciate the hint of someone, who has absolved this learning pathway:
a) what's the purpose of this executable?
b) has its missing other consequences than abovementioned (those bunches of subsequent nearly identical error messages)?
Thanks in advance

Well hal has been gone since openSUSE 11.3! (Not to mention this version being well past EOL). You could try removing hal and see how that goes, but YMMV. Any reason why your still running such an old version?

... is oSuse 13.2 and my ability is far away from pasting depreciated hal code into a system image or smuggle it somehow into boot procedure. I'm glad enough to keep this one running with all these minor issues occurring when hardware vendors dislike supporting users with this os.
I only could speculate about some package dependencies which zypper had tried to resolve in this manner, but if this monument doesn't disturb otherwise I'll try to ignore its moping in the assumtion "YMMV" means that's on my own responsibility doing things without understanding the consequences. Thanks for elucidation.

It's not a case of not understanding consequences. 13.2 is unsupported - no updates, no security updates. Newer versions with newer kernels are supporting more hardware and you don't necessarily need the support of manufacturers when you have LQ to turn to.
The current stable opensuse is 42.3. You should try it.

Further to Pete's sensible advice (which I also nearly included in my initial reply), you could try testing the current Leap 42.3 version. GeckoLinux offer a live distro static edition based on openSUSE Leap 42.3 which can run from DVD or USB, and will give a reasonable indication of how well it plays with your laptop. Some graphics and wireless hardware do require proprietary drivers to be installed to function, but there are lots of guides and threads dealing with that topic. Support from these forums (with its knowledgeable members) is always available as well

...and the latest hint.
I had also a monitum on the same issue at another post and felt me inclined to reply (see last post), but one time is enough.

For those interested in the last chapter of this issue: In the list of installed packages "hal" wasn't. In the startlevel table either. So I just tried a

and to my surprise zypper did. It did more. It removed a KDE3 installation of some powersave-modules or sth like that depending apparently from hal. As hal or fragments of it couldn't be started, I wasn't very scared of this and the next coldstart didn't show entries afterwards. The annoying message of bootlog disappeared, and, as powersave and screen illumination and other things never had worked with linux on this pc (I have since long resigned with these bungles), I didn't bother also.