Wider Interest In The Town Hall

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31111, 14 July 1966, Page 14

Wider Interest In The Town Hall

Town Hall Promotion, as its chairman (Mr H. G. Hay) has suggested, has reason to be confident in asking country people to support its objective. Not all country people may agree that a town hall in Christchurch will be an important focal point in the wider, provincial community. Few could be sure that the town hall would never be of service to them in one or more of the many roles it will have. Mr Hay’s proposition has been stimulated by the interest already forthcoming from country people. It is in no sense a desperate move to seek money from the remotest quarters. It is a proper recognition of the degree to which the interests of the rural community quite naturally, though sometimes of necessity, turn towards the city. City life tends to confirm the isolation of townspeople from their country neighbours. Country people are much less inclined to overlook the affairs of the city. They look easily and regularly towards the city for its services, shopping, culture, entertainment, and its schools and university; they are more conscious of the interplay between town and country. Many of them expect to share the benefits of the town hall and will be willing to contribute to its building. The encouragement of voluntary subscriptions should meet a willing response outside the city.