CORONATION MEMORIAL

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 439, 11 June 1902, Page 2

CORONATION MEMORIAL

BAND ROTUNDA ADVOCATED.) j

COUNCIL DECIDES ON OLD MEN’S HOME.

At the Borough Council meeting last night u plan of a band rotunda, which it was suggested should be the permanent memorial in connection with the Corona tion celebrations, was submitted to the Council. Cr Bright asked where it was to be placed, the Mayor replying that that question bad not yet been decided. Cr Whimsy decided to sec tiio matter remain in obeyar.ee. Ho did not think they should hurry over tho matter,

The Mayor the ught a decision should be arrived at as to the nature of the work to be undertaken. Cr Wbinrav stated that the Harbor Board wanted to have a say in tho matter.

The Mayor: We must decide on something first. Cr Miller spoke in favor of a band rotunda, and moved that a committee be appointed to confer with the Harbor Board and County Council. Cr Whiuray urged that tho matter should he allowed to remain in obeyance. There was need for more ventilation in the matter.

Cr Lysnar could not see what better memorial than a band rotunda could be obtained. The estimate of £250 was a reasonable one, and the amount should be set down at that. They could then givo the sutu of £l5O to the town clock fund.

The Mayor pointed out that the Government would give pound for pound subsidy for subscriptions towards a clock. Cr Lysnar : Then we shall have to find some other object. Cr Harding favored the matter standing over, and urged the claims of the hospital in the matter of the erection of an isolation ward being the most necessary work.

Cr Jones also favored the matter remaining in obeyance. He urged that a first-class Home should be provided for the aged poor. Like Mr Harding, he was willing to give way if the majority of the public favored a band rotunda. Cr Miller pointed out that under the Charitable Aid Board Act, they could levy on the local bodies, and obtain what money they required for a isolation ward or Old Men’s Home. They could also obtain Government subsidy for these works. Cr Bright did not favor the erection of an isolation ward or Old Men’s Home. He did not see that a more fitting permanent memorial than a band rotunda could be obtained. As far as he could see, it was the best idea. Cr Mason was against a band rotunda unless there was a suitable site, and the surroundings were in keeping. Cr Hepburn was of the same opinion as Cr Mason. He (Or Hepburn) did not approve of tiio proposed site near tho bridge, and would not vote for a band rotunda until he was satisfied with tho site. The Mayor said that no doubt some difficulty would bo experienced in deciding upon a suitable site. He considered that an Old Men’s Home was one of the most urgont needs at the present time, and would save the local bodies a considerable amount. If the Council did not favor a band rotunda, then the most important work was the Old Men’s Home. The Council ought to decide something definite

that evening. Cr Lysnar seconded the resolution. With regard to the objection raised by Cr Hepburn as to the site on the riverbank, ho (Or Lysnar) did not think a more central position could be obtained. Did Cr Hepburn want it in Aberdeen road ? (Laughter.) Tho river site was centrally situated, and was alike convenient to town and suburbs. With the balance, they could perhaps buy corners in tho streets which they could utilise for memorial and beautifying purposes by-aud-bye. Cr. Jones proposed that the money be flevoted to and Old Men’s Homo, Cr Harding seconding. Cr Whinray endorsed Cr Maso'n’s opinion as to the necessity of having a suitable site for a band rotunda, and that the surroundings should be in keeping. Ho suggested that the Committeo appointed should have representatives from oacli local body. Cr Jones’ motion, on being put to the meeting, was declared to be lost on the voices. Cr Whinray : I call for a division. Cr Lysnar : What do you want with a division ? Cr Whinray : We might as well have it.

A division being taken, it was found that the motion was carried, Ayes : Crs Harding, Hepburn, Whinray, Jones, Mason, and the Mayor. Noes : Crs Bright, Miller, and Lysnar. At a later stage Cr Bright gave notice of

the following motion, “ That the minuto of 27th May, 1902, referring to expenditure on Coronation celebrations, t £4OO, be rescinded.”

The matter again cropped up at the Charitable Aid Board meeting, when the estimates for the year were being considered. One item of the estimates was the sum of £SOO for repairs and additions to the Old Men’s Home.

His Worship remarked that this amount could be reduced, as the money from the Coronation fund would be available. He spoke of the necessity of further accommodation being provided at once.

It was also pointed out that the amount voted by the Coronation Committee, as well as that contributed from other sources, would be subsidised b,y tho Government to the extent of pound for pound. Mr Lysnar objected to the Coronation money being devoted to the purposes of an Old Men’s Home. Ho contended that it was bad finance, and meant that the Council were throwing away the Coronation subsidy. Cr Harding : Throwing it into a really good object. Cr Miller : We will knock them out next meeting. (Laughter.) Cr Lysnar: It is not necessary to throw this money away. The money for an Old Men’s Home can be obtained by making a levy upon tho local bodies. Cr Whinray : We are not going to spend it unless it is necessary. Cr Lysnar : W T e all admit that expenditure on the Old Men’s Home. I was at the Old Men’s Home last week, and it was a disgrace. “ Hear, hear,” from Crs. Harding, Jones, and the Mayor.

Cr Miller urged that the consideration of the estimates should stand over until the next meeting. Cr Whinray thought that Councillors were wasting a lot of time. Cr Jones was willing that the matter should stand. He did not think that Councillors would change their minds. They would be bound to get a contribution from the Government, and money would be saved to the Borough ratepayers and County Council. Cr Lysnar : We are not here to study them. It seems strange if the County Council cannot afford to give £SO with the extent and value of country that it has to rate upon. Cr Miller considered that the Council had shown themselves bad financiers in voting the money to the Old Men’s Home. The proposition as carried that evening meant that the Borough would contribute £75 to the County Council’s £SO and the Harbor Board's £SO to the Old Men’s Home. If they carried out the Charitable Aid estimates and made ft levy on the local bodies, the Oid jlen,s Home could be built at a cost to the Borough of £ls, Waiapu County Council £35, and the Cook County Council £122 10s, whilst the Government would contribute £172 10s, making a total of £345. These figures could bo verified by a glance at the Chari, table Aid estimates on the table that evening. In voting the Coronation funds to the Old Men,s Home the Waiapu County Council were let off without contributing a penny to that worthy object. He considered it was very bad financing. It was decided that consideration of the 1 estimates should stand over until the next ; meeting. _ 1

Cr Miller gave notice ’to move “ That the resolution passed on the 10th June, 1992, that an Old Men’s Home as a memorial for the Coronation, be rescinded.”