BAND ROTUNDA.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIII, Issue 4398, 3 April 1922, Page 2

BAND ROTUNDA.

CIVIC CENTRE. OFFICIALLY OPENED. The band rotunda which has been erected on the site’ of the fire-bell tower was officially opened on. Friday night. In the absence of His Worship the Mayor, the Deputy-Mayor, Mr E. Edwards, officiated, and said that R gave him pleasure to be present and officially announce the completion of the work. The rotunda had been erected by the Paeroa Beautifying Society. Some time back Mr J. L. Hanna had taken up the matter r/f organising the Paeroa. Beautifying Society, and had, through his own efforts, induced 80 citizens to donate £5 per year each for tpvo years. A strong committee had been chosen, and plans were’ laid out for the beautification of Paeroa, and this work .would stand as a monument of the good work done by ih By the cooperation of the members it was gratifying to all to see the improvements already made. The work of removing the unsightly hedge that surrounded the Methodist Churcn and replacing it with, flower-beds and lawn, it mus,t be admitted, has been good v/ork. Their however, were not going to end there. They were going further, and were shortly to commence beautifying] the entrance at the railway station. In order to dp this it was necessary to get the permission of the Railway Department, and many obstacles had liad to be overcome, • and the society now held a lease of’ Qhe ground and permission to do thie work. The Borough Council had agreed to help to fill in the large drain • that ran through the ground. He considered great, kudos was due to Mr Hanna, the president of the society, and but for him it was certain that the rotunda would no.t be there to-day. The secretary, the Rev. Mr Enticott, was also deserving of a lot of praise for the work he had dope in connection with the society, and-he considered the town fortunate in having these men who took a great civic pride in the town. He had grept. pleasure in declaring the rotunda open for public use.

Three cheers were then given for the Beautifying Society. < Mr .T. ’L. Hanna said that it was a proud occasion for him as president of the Beautifying Society to see that the work being carried out was recognised by the people . It was also particularly encouraging to the.committee. He believed that in the Beautifying Society there was one oi the best committees that had ever Undertaken any civic work in the town; , and he was proud to say that every one was a worker. The society still wanted more members; "and .although 80 had guaranteed £5 that, was not the membership fee. The fee was £l, and he would like to see the citizens come forward and help them in the work. It was not a close .corporation, and tjhey invited criticism and suggestions. Suggesions should be put in writing, and they Would receive the careful consideration of the committee, and if at all practicable and funds would permit the work wouldl'be dpne.. The rotunda had been purchased Atom the County Council, and as it n'ow ( stood had cost £l5O. The town badly needed some civic. centre, and now we have it, and he hoped it would lastingly stand as.a, credit fo the Paeroa Beautifying Society. He thanked the large assembly for coming forward and witnessing the official opening pf..l?abrba’s Civic Centre. In concTudl- - his remarks he said that the Sal? vation Army were amongst those who had come forward, and helped with the first guarantee,' namely, £5 for two years, and in consideration of this had been granted the use of the rotunda. The Salvation Army was present and rendered a number of selections which were highly appreciated by the large gathering present.