YOUTH CENTRE AS WAR MEMORIAL

Chronicle (Levin), 26 June 1946, Page 7

YOUTH CENTRE AS WAR MEMORIAL

AUCKLAND, June 24. liecommcndations that the "vvar iuemorial of the citizeiis oi Auckland should talce the forni of either a civie youth centre or a memorial drive from the cjty to Whenuapai are contained in a report of an advisory couneil of the Auckland Junior Chamber of Commerce which lras made an investigation into possible types of memorial. The majority decision of the council favoured'the youth centre proposal. Built close to the centre of the city, the youth centre would be placed under the control of the Metropolitan Youth Ccuncil. it is proposed that the centre should contain an auditorium suitable for presentations of drama and music, a'rt exhibitiuns" and the promotion of alj types of cultural activities, a gymnasiuin, a special youth library, children 's play centre xvliere motliers could leave children while shopping, .and a memorial shrine containing a roll of all lliose from the Auckland district who paid the suprcme sacrifice. The secoiul recomnienilation is for a memorial drive from Auckland to Whenuapai, lined on each side with cruamental trees. Each tree would be sponsored by the next-of-kiu of an Aucklander killed 011 active service and would bear a plaque inscribed with liis name and ollier details. The road itself would be built as a local body projeet, subsidised by the Government. Money gathered as a memorial fund would be used in Ihe beautification of the drive. The drive should be of suflLcient width toi fast, two-way tratiic, states the council 's report. It suggests that the drive should connect " the eity with Westhaven and coutinue around the waterfront, crossing such inlets as Cox's Creek, Meola Creek and Oaklev Creek. by means of causeways, or by connecting with the north side by a causeway and bridge across the reef between Point Chevalicr and Westmere. "Tliis, it is snggosted, would open u|" tli." westcrn suimrbs, relieve traffic congestion of maia routes, provide aeeess and egress to tlie terininal for overseas land-ba.scd aircraft and provide a sconic drive of considcrable intcrest to visitors to the city. "It is tlie 0])inion of the commiftee that before any war memorial projeet is undertaken, an opporturiity should be ; given the Auckland public to express j thcir views," thc report concludes. |"When the Auckland war memorial is ! built, U't it be built with the kuow- . ledge that il is what the people of i Auckland want, and not just what one ! scction of the coinmunitv wants."