Material Available For Memorial Hall

Chronicle (Levin), 17 September 1949, Page 2

Material Available For Memorial Hall

" "We have been working and have drawn up plans and can build a substantial hall With every amenity for £6000. If we wait ; much longer we will not be able to : •get the material." " , Cr. G. McKinley offered tlps advise to the* Otaki Borough Council on Wednesday night, when, following a discussion which had taken place with a deputation, and with the possibility of considerable early progress forecast, an appeal for unanimity inside the council concerning the war memorial project was made. Emphasising the urgent. need for a hall, Cr. McKinley continued by pointing out that, properly administered, the cost of upkeep of the proposed scheme would not be large. If the land was secured and the hall erected, the upkeep would be forthcoming. The council would have "upkeep" no matter where the hall was built. The speaker suggested . to the Mayor, Mr. C. F. Atmore, -that as a majority of the council had voted in favour of the site, all should now work for it, adding that if the majority had vote'd in favour of the domain site, those working for the proposal would be working jus". as hard for the domain. Denying a suggestion from Cr. J. L. Retter that he was "stalling and opposing a memorial in honour. of those who fell," Mr. Atmore said he had never been opposed to the memorial, but had worked and done his best for the memorial. "But I do not support the site chosen," he added. "I am fjust as satisfied in my own mind that you have chosen the wrong site as you are that you have chosen the right one. However, if you can satisfy me that the majority of the people are in favour of your site I would support it." Cr. E. J. Cook contended that the land chosen was too valuab'e for a domain. "You will never get me to support it while houses

are neededr We could house 500 people on that site." Cr. H. W. Hakaraia replied: "My Maori people will want their money back if you go anywhere else." The Mayor concluded the discussion by stating that . he . welcomed any discussion that would bring unanimity, and would give consideration to the plea of Cr. McKinley. "If .the Internal Affairs Department- srupport the site I will be behind it."