COMMUNITY SINGING.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXX, Issue 5433, 7 June 1929, Page 2

COMMUNITY SINGING.

IMPORTANT MATTERS MOOTED. UNEMPLOYED RELIEF SCHEME. Last evening in the Gaiety Theatre a most successful Community “Sing” was held under the auspices of the Borough Council. The attendance, though small, was enthusiastic. The opportunity was taken to bring before the public a scheme for the relief of unemployment which the council had prepared and wished to see if the burgesses approved of. The Mayor, Mr W. Marshall, presided, and associated with him on the platform were the whole of the Borough Council with the exception of Cr. P. E. Brenan, who was absent through indisposition. Mr F. G. Williams made a splendid song leader, ably assisted by Mr E. Edwards, while Mr R. D. Flatt presided in an accomplished manner at the piano. Mr Marshall, in an opening speech, apologised for the absence through indisposition of several people vitally interested in the proposed proceedings, and remarked that nd doubt the small attendance was also caused by the same reason. First they would enjoy themselves with some rousing singing before going on to more serious matters.

Mr Edwards explained that the idea of community singing was to break down the usual formality. Just because the assembly had the wisdom of the village before them on the platform they .must not be overawed. His advice was to sing whether in tune or not ; needs must that they must be in tune part of the time. The meeting was small, but it had been the same before. The first “sing” had been small, but for the last of the season there had not been room in the hall for all who wished to gain admittance. and he prophesied the same for this year. The singing commenced with a yerse of God Save the King, followed by the “Cheer Germ Song” and some of the really good old favourites. Under the spirited and witty leadership of Mr Williams and Cr. Edwards the assembly soon got into the swing of things and entered heartily and unreservedly into the proceedings. Unemployed Relief Scheme. The concluding song for the first half of the singing programme was “Mother Machree, after’ which the chairman proceeded to outline the scheme for the relief of unemployed as drawn up by the council. His Worship said it was difficult after enjoying themselves to go on to serious matters. The song “Mother' Machree” had been a most appropriate one to , preface the matter. The singing of that always, in everyone, brought back the tenderest memories, thoughts and memories of the mothers who had always thought for us and cared for our needs. The real purpose of the present evening was the care of the needy. The Mayor said he was sorry to have to tell the community that the unemployment problem was once again a serious matter in Paeroa—worse, in fact, than for the last two years. The Public Works Department was adding seriously to the problem by discharging men. Already there was a large list at the borough office. It was heartrending to have these men, mostly married ones with families coming in. Those who had passed through a similar experience as these men would understand ; to those who had not, might the powers that be save them from it. He himself knew what it was—many years ago. His Worship asked that the people would lend a helping hand. Unless the community ’ got together and helped no one else would, for the subject was the same' throughout New Zealand ; every community, large or small, had. its unemployment problem. The people looked to the council : the council was merely the executive of the peeple, who were the corporation. After serious consideration the council had decided not to resort to a loan again, and thereby save a further, burden on the ratepayers and posterity. After great deliberation-decision had been reached to go ahead with a certain scheme which he now proposed to explain. The scheme' in brief was the planting of trees for use in the future as power poles, etc., thereby providing an asset for the next generation, and the planting of trees along one side of Station Rpad for its full length, part of Rye Lane, and Puke Road. Through the generosity of Dr. Little part of the Te Aroha road would also be done. Primrose Hill would be made still more beautiful, and the top made more accessible by a means of a path. The unsightly open drains along Station Road and Corbett and Bradley Streets would he piped and filled in. The hospital grounds would be attended to. It was apparently an unwritten law throughout the Dominion that local committees attended to this part of hospital matters. THE WAR MEMORIAL. For many years, continued the Mayor, there had been serious reprotch in Paeroa’s midst, and that was the absence of a war memorial. The council had now ultimately decided to suggest the erection of a Cenotaph—a replica of the one in the Empire’s heart at London—on Primrose Hill. There it would be in good company with a memorial that was of historical interest —the memorial to SergeantMajor Bradford, the ’first New Zealander to fall in the Boei - war and, evidence pointed thus, the very first colonial to do so. The idea was to have this Cenotaph built by local unemployed men out of local materials. There was a magnificent one at New Plymouth built out of rough-hewn stone from the town’s environs. For Paeroa it was suggested to build one of concrete blocks, well and smoothly faced. Question of Finance. The question was, how was the scheme to be financed. The Borough Council had decided to donate £2OO out of the water account, which could be done without endangering the funds ; £250 would be available from the Ngahina Wharf account. The proposal

had been submitted to the Government, on whose tentative approval, already given, it could be safely taken as approved. The project was eligible for a Government subsidy, and £7OO had been allotted by the Government. Tribute to Minister of Public Works. The Mayor said he would like to take the opportunity of publicly paying tribute to the kindness, consideration, and courtesy of the Minister .of Public Works, the Hon. E. A. Ransom, during his visit to Paeroa. His stay in the town had given him an added interest in the matter. As for the Hospital Board, the chairman continued, the £lOO necessary would carry a £ for £ subsidy. That meant that about £1075 was left which had to be found. Already £125 was in hand from a War Memorial fund subscribed seven oi’ eight years ago. He had great pleasure in announcing that the committee of the Ohinemuri Jockey Club had voted no less than £350 towards the scheme. Other’ donations had been promised by Dr. Little and by the Beautifying Society. Mrs Silcock had practically decided to donate the whole of the £5O which would accrue to her for stone the council would have to pay for from the quarry. That left some £450 to £470 to be found. The question was, would the public get behind and help. Paeroa by united effort could see the proposal through. His Worship said he had felt the reproach about the War Memorial for years, as had his colleagues and the townspeople. All over the country were tributes to those who had fallen for the Empire. In Paeroa there was none, yet in all the Empire there was no finer war record than that of Paeroa’s. The proposal as drawn up by the council would mean work for local mCn in building the Cenotaph. Paeroa’s .population was just on 2000, and 5s from each would make up the required £5OO. Through the good offices of Mr P. Williams, who was arranging it, a Commercial Travellers’ concert would be staged on the 28th inst. Some men interested were going to carry out a cattle drive ; they intended to go round and get cattle presented, cattle which the N.Z.. Loan and Mercantile Co. had offered to auction free. Also, a Queen Carnival, with three queens, was proposed. The Boy Scouts had raised some £3OO by that means, so it would be worth launching. The council, after long and deep thought, had drawn up the scheme and now suggested it to the public. It was left to the public to decide ; nothing definite had been done, although whatever was decided, something must be done. The council had given the lead, and it was now up to Paeroa to get behind the council.

Cr. F. E. Flatt, the next speaker, said the works committee of the Borough Council had to raise the money and the finance committee had to look into it and see if any injustice would be done to the ratepayers. After’ thoroughly going into the scheme they had decided that there could be none better. Paeroa was making a good deal of progress. The programme of the council from plans laid down by Mr Marshall six years ago to do away with patchwork was being pursued. One job was carried out to the finish, thus making annual recurring expenses light. The carefully thought out scheme as explained by Mr Marshall was the best, and would not hit the ratepayers hard. Work must be found during the ensuing four bad months for the unemployed. Twenty families alone had to be provided for as against fifteen in the previous year. Cr. Edwards also endorsed the scheme. The speeches concluded, the Mayor asked the meeting to voice their views on the subject, whether for or agaiust the scheme. '* Mr D. Leach , said that the problem of unemployment was serious enough to command the attention of everyone, in the town.- It was'the people’s duty to support the well-thought-out scheme. If approved, it should be placed in Capable hands. To test the feeling of'the meeting Mr Leach moved that the gathering approve of the scheme as submitted, that it be left in the hands of the council, and that the assembly pledge themselves to wholeheartedly support the council’s efforts. •’ , ~ v s His Worship, in thanking the meeting, explained that it - was not meant to leave the matter entirely, in., thehands of the council. Various ,committees would be appointed, from the town, and by the' next community “sing” which it was proposed to hold on Friday, the 14th, it was hoped to have them formed and ready to start. In the meantime, as a result of the meeting’s decision he proposed to find work for the unemployed men right away.