Rotarians Hear Of Scouts' Hall Project

Chronicle (Levin), 4 October 1949, Page 4

Rotarians Hear Of Scouts' Hall Project

The scouts had been operating in ihe all too small space available at the Drill Hall and with the introduction of compulsory military trainipg it appeared certain that in the near future this meeting place would no longer be available, said the chairman .ofthe Levin Scqut Commitiee, Mr. W. L. Travers, speaking 5 at the: Levin Rotary Club's weekly luncheon yesterday; He was. outliining the project the Levin Miiiiature Rifle Club, which also use's the Drili Hall, and his committee nave in" hand for the building of a joint hall .at" Playford Park., These circumstances had led to Ihe genesis of the scheme,' said che speaker. In January last the club and committee had approache'd. the Levin Borough Council, with the result that space had been made available at Playford Park for a combined hall. It would remain the property of the council, but the two interested bodies would have the exclusive use of i't in perpetuity at a peppercorn rental. A building permit had now been obtained for a hall 110ft. long and 58ft. 8ins. wide. It would have space for use by the scouts, kitchen, cloak rooms and a room for use by the club. The rifle range would be below the floor, which would be built up to make this possible. The question of financing the project was a major one, continue'd Mr. Travers. In regard to the timber, the idea was to induce farmers to donate standing trees to a number which would provide a surplus in timber sufQcient to pay the cost of milling them. Some preliminary inquiries havi already been made and the response had been good. It was hoped that when the campaign was launched ,the farmers of the district would be able to supply the requirements. An itemised list of the other materiails nee'ded, together with the price of each, had been prepared and citizens were to be invited to assist in providing them. It was felt that in this way donors would have a more personal interest in the project than they would by making a cas'h contribution. It was intended to approach the Department of Internal Affairs for monetary assistance, while the scouts themselves would be working to provide funds. It was expected that the erection of the hall would -be carried out to a large extent by Voluntary labour from among the membership of the two interested bodies and in addition it was hoped to haVe the assistance oi the Levin Training Centre. A meeting of the two organisations was to be called shortly to plan the campaign for trees and materials. Several questions were answered byr Mr. Travers and- he - was accorded a hearty vote of thahks.