SOLDIERS' MEMORIAL

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 227, 19 June 1919, Page 5

SOLDIERS' MEMORIAL

A SCHEME FOR JOHNSONVILLE.

A meeting cf residents of Johnsojwjlle to consider the question of erecting some form of soldiers' memorial was held last evening, Mr. F. G. Moore presiding. ' After explaining the object of tlio meeting and emphasising tho need for some form of memorial to. commemorato the part New Zealand had played in tho Great Wai', Mr. Moore submitted a scheme for a; Memorial Institute. There was a. suitable piece of land in tho centre of the town which had been vacant for a number of years, andvhich (he claimed} was an eyesore to the Tesidente. This, section: was originally an old educational grunt), and was now held in trust by the Town Board. He suggested that this land should lie acquired and used for the erection of a twoetoried building, to be known as the Soldiers' Memorial Institute. The cost of this building would be about J. 2500, and to provide this sum he proposed that fifty <£50 debentures be issued, repayable in 20 years, at the rate of 7J per cent, per annum—five per cent, interest and 2i per .cent, sinking fund. The institute will be a revenue-producing concern, as it would be in the nature cf a club or private hotel, where accommodation and refreshments could be obtained. Tho front of tho building would be of brick, with a large entrance hall in the centre, and on either side would bo a shop. He suggested that tho ground foor be used as a, billiard parlour and a , section allotted for a. 1 refreshment room. Half th'e floor space on th\ second floor would be devoted to a reading room and library, and the remainder of the spacn would be divided into six bedrooms. Provision would also be made for a spacious balcony. To his mind such a building would' be a 'valuable asset to the town, and while 'fulfilling' a Icngfelt want would,in addition prove a fitting memorial., He felt that whatever the town decided to do in Oie matter of a permanent memorial it should be someMing substantial, Mr. Dunbar Sloane"' did not Ihink that the chairman's scheino vould be at all suitable for Johnsonville. Its floating population was very small, and he did not think that tho institute would be revenue-producing. In lis opinion a suitable memorial would bo the creation of a children's recreation ground. He suggested the acquisition of the salo yards, which on their present site did more to keep people away from Johneonville than anything tlso. These yards could be converted into a very choice playground for children, who at present had no place to go to. It could lie known as the Memorial Park. The cost of this scheme would be about thft same as that estimated for the Memorial Institute.

After further discussion, it was decided to notify the residents ::f the town by circular of the proposals, and to call a further meeting to decide what action suould be taken.