PATRIOTIC PURPOSES

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 1, Issue 103, 22 December 1939, Page 5

PATRIOTIC PURPOSES

HIRE OF HALL AT TANEATUA

APPLICATION FOR FREE USE

At the monthly meeting of the Whakatane County Council some discussion arose when a letter from the secretary ol the Taneatua Red Cross Society applying lor the right to use the Taneatua Hall free of charge for ail functions in connection with patriotic and Red Cross purposes cam up for consideration. It was agreed that if the council acceeded to this request it would be establishing a precedent and to be consistent the council would have to make the hall free for all patriotic activities and* Avith no revenue, the debt on the hall could not be reduced. At the same time Cr MeGougan thought it inadvisable to charge £2 2s for the hire of the hall when it was to be used for

such purposes,

Cr McCready said that as chairman of the Hall Committee he was of the opinion that the hall should not be hired entirely free. Expenses should be paid. The Councillor pointed out that there was little money raised by social functions. "As a muney-maliirig concern, the arranging of a dance in a public hall, with its attendant expenditure for hire, Qichestra fee, refreshments etc., is no good," said Cr McCready. "There is no profit in it."

The speaker said that it had always been his idea to charge as little as possible for the hire of the hall and thus encourage its use. In his opinion the council should give a reduction in this case. The chairman suggested that the charge be left at the present rate and the council make an annual con tribution to patriotic iunds. This was moved and seconded. Cr McCrackcn, however, objected to this, saying that lie didn't like the principle and would not support a motion for a donation of the ratepayers' money. It would be better, he said, to adopt a cut-rate for the hire of the hall for such activities as requested in the letter.

The resolution that the charges as at present fixed be maintained and the council make an annual contribution to patriotic funds was withdrawn and it was decided that the application be referred to the Hall Committee for comment.