WAR MEMORIAL HALL

Chronicle (Levin), 17 August 1946, Page 3

WAR MEMORIAL HALL

POORLY-ATTENDED WIEETING ■ SELECTION OF SECTION Eig'hteen citizens of Shannon and surrounding districts attended a public meeting in the Renown Theatre on Thursday evening to discuss the proposals put forward , by the memorial hall committee, which was set up in April to go into ways and means of building a nali j as a fitting memorial to the men who had lost their lives in World War II. The Mayor (.Mr. R. E. Downes) presided. In opening the meeting, His Worship said that it must be indeea disheartening to the committee to , see such a small number of people present. He then cailed upon Mr. ; R. R. Lind, chairman of the com- . mittee, to outline the proposals which the committee had to put forward. Before presenting his report, Mr. 1 Lind expressed apologies for Mr. H. i Aitchison and Mr. J. Sinciair, two ; memfcers of the committee who j were unable to attend the meeting * on account of illness. An apoiogc ' was aiso rec'eived from Mrs. J. A. Easton, who was unable to be present. Mr. Lind then poinfced out that the committee had three sections which were available, and it was desired that the public make 0 ' sclection of the oue considerecl to be the most suitable for the proposed hall. All three sections were oiiuated in Plimmer Terrace, the first being between the Councii Chambers and Mr. J. A. Roach's shop, the second just north of the, Bank of New Zealand, between the two uiiused shops and the Albion I-Iotel ond the third next to the Club Hotel. Mr. Lind went on to state that it was the opinion of the committee that the hall should have a fLoor ; space of about 70 feet by 50 feet. : and all three sections had ample room to accommodate a building of Ihe size required. The approximate cost of the building would be between £7000 and £8000. Mr. Lind mentioned that the committee had given the matter much thought, and had not come to ihe public sooner because it was intiniated that the Government migh' give a subsidy for the erection oi war memorials. As yet it was unknown just v/hat that subsidy would be. However, it was understood that the Government fav-i oured community centres. as war memorials, and it was not known what type of public halP would come under the hcading of a community centre.

' The1 speaker st'd'ted that the Cbmmittee had discussed means of raising money. The matter had been lcoked into from all angles and many suggestions had been put forward. It was finally decided by them that the most satisfactory method for a start would be by voluntary contributions. He suggested that the district be sub-divided into flve areas and that a member of the committee, with two helpers appointed by the public, then make a canvass of the area. It was pointed out by Mr. Lind that thc canvass should be made over the j whole district on one certain day , ; the object being to go around and; ■ see what each person was pre- ■ pared to give in the way of a voluntary donation, not necessarilv the whole amount at the one time. 1 as some contributors might wish ! their donations to be extended over : a period. However, there would be only one canvass made': The committee could then form some idea of the amount it could expect from the public and then rcview the position. The next speaker was Mr. R. Hook, who also expressed disappointment at the small attendance. In endorsing Mr. Lind's remarks, Mr. Hook said that the members of the committee had done their duty to the best of their abilitv, and it was now in the hands of those present to discuss the details brought before them by tlie committee. The Mayor suggested that the first subject to discuss was the merits of the three sections _ put forward, and asked the committee if they could give any indication as to which was the better site. Mr. Lind stated that be was of the opinion that the most suitable cii.p wns the one next to the Coun-

cii Chambers,. while Mr. V. J. Bateman spoke in favour of the section near the Bank of New Zealand. Mr. S. W. Barber enquired as to liow the public would be expect ea, to maintain the hall. Mr. Lind re- . plied that it had already been intim- ; ated that a public hall would not pay its own way in Shannon, and ; he said the public would have to . decide whether they- desired thc; Borough Councii to take responsibility of the maintenance or if a committee should be set up to take ! charge. However, that was a matter for the public and it would be ■ the responsibility of every citizezn ! to keep the building in a fit state , to be a memorial. He did not think 'the people would allow the building j to fall into a state of disrepair. ! At this stage the Mayor asked I that the discussion be reverted to i the matter of the selection of a site. and cailed for a motion as to • which section was wanted by the nublic. Mr. Bateman moved that itne site near the bank should be accepted, and Mr. Lind moved an amendment that the section next to the Councii Chambers should be Hhe hall .site. Both speakers out-

iined the various advantages of their choice. On a vote Mr. Bateman's motion was carried. Then followed the matter of subdividing the district into five areas "for the collection of funds. Thc areas which were agreed upon were as follows: — Area 1, the Borough of Shannon. Area 2, the main road north, including botn sides of the road north of Makerua and also Kara Road and all side roads to Victoria Road. Area 3, the main road west of the railway, Okuku Road and Makerua to Wilson's Road. Area 4, East Road, Mangaore and the main road south to Law's Hill. Area 5, Buckley and Moutoa from the Otaru : Bridge to Bow's Road. It was decided that committeemen and their helpers should meet as soon as arrangements had been • completed, and a day decided upon ' to make thescanvass. ' Mr. Downes 'advised that he considered all had been attended to that could have been done, and thanked those present for the j interest they had taken. The meeting closed with a vote of thanks to the chair,