WAR MEMORIAL COMMITTEE ARRANGES FOR ENTERTAINMENT, PUBLICITY, PAID SECRETARY

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 16, Issue 27, 1 December 1950, Page 5

WAR MEMORIAL COMMITTEE ARRANGES FOR ENTERTAINMENT, PUBLICITY, PAID SECRETARY

An entertainment committee to arrange functions and a publicity committee were arranged for at a meeting of the Whakatane War Memorial Committee on Tuesday night. The planning subcommittee was authorised to seek the services of an architect. The finance committee was instructed to appoint a paid secretary or organiser.

The chairman, Mr H. G. Warren, presided. Mr Warren announced that th 6 previous acting secretary, Mr J. O. Kelsey, was not available for further secretarial duties and Mr J. Slipper accepted the secretaryship for the one meeting only. The Mayoress, Mrs S. S. Shapley, attended the meeting and she was welcomed by the chairman after which her presence was acknowledged by applause. The chairman announced that there were several things that the committee should be aware of, only some of which' had appeared in the

press. The question of the subsidy on the funds received for the sale of the Winter Show building was still under consideration by the Government. The chairman added that the Government was very, busy with the rush of applications. It was not now necessary to submit detailed plans by December 31. The subsidy payment was now fixed at half the cost of the buildings with a maximum of £50,000. The Government would grant a subsidy on loan monies only where the previous Government had already agreed to this procedure. Mr Warren thanked Mr Druby, Mr Molesworth, Mr Warner and Mr B. Johnstone who had worked hard to produce tentative plans for the proposed Community Centre. It was decided to ask the Borough Council to write to the Minister of Internal Affairs asking for a decision' on the Whakatane case.

An Architect It was decided to give authority to the Planning Sub-Committee to seek an architect for the buildings at a lower cost than the £9OO quotation received. Miss Rucroft made a plea for a building with a stage large enough and properly equipped to accommodate the National Orchestra which she said was ready to come if a suitable hall* was available. The orchestra now actually by-passed Whakatane. Mr I. R. McLean said that the public wanted information as to the kind of Community Centre that the money was required for and the way it would work. This information would create some enthusiasm amongst the people who were now in the dark. It was agreed that a sub-commit-tee consisting of the Crippled Children’s Association, the Ministers Association, the Catholic Community, the. Citizens’ Association, St John’s Ambulance .Association, local newspaper, Chamber of Commerce be set up to arrange publicity for the scheme. This sub-committee to have power to add to its number. An entertainment committee to organise functions to raise funds, and consisting of about 30 organisations was set up. Some difficulty was met with in arranging a convenor but Mr Lovelock agreed to convene the first meeting.

Mr T. Hurndell said that not 10 per cent of the representatives appointed to the committee were present at the meeting and they should be required to answer to their own organisations for their failure to attend. Mr H. R. Druby explained to the meeting the dimensions of the proposed Memorial Hall and its general features and layout. Miss Lawes and Miss E.' M. Armstrong made an appeal for the appointment of a permanent secretary for the'committee. The chairman said that it was a matter for the Finance Committee but he was prepared to accept nominations. Mr W. Stewar.t moved and Miss Lawes seconded that the Finance Committee be directed to appoint a paid secretary or organiser at "the earliest opportunity. This was carried unanimously. Mr C. A. Suckling moved: That all committees have power to add to their numbers. Mr W. Stuart seconded the motion which was carried.

Mrs Shapley suggested that if a street day was proposed an application should be made before December 8. Mrs Shapley moved and Mr Lovelock seconded, that four street days be applied for next year one every three months. Carried. Mr Hurndell asked if it was too early to ask each organisation to state in what way they would help. The chairman said that it would be more suitable at a later meeting. The chairman said that, before any function was organised by any group in the name of the War Memorial Committee, it must first obtain approval from the Finance Committee. This was agreed to.