A SUGGESTION

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 3688, 23 June 1906, Page 2

A SUGGESTION

CARNEGIE BEGGING. NO!

(TO editor of manawatu herald.) Sir, —We are about to build a handsome structure, consisting of Municipal Chambers and Library in one building, but opinions are divided as to the merits of which should be used, either wood or brick, and to the necessary interest accruing. I now beg to suggest that as we have waited so long and been so satisfied with the present surroundings, that we wait and discuss the vital question of either wood or brick a little longer. In the meantime, let us send to Mr Carnegie plans, &c., for a grant of say, ,£2,000, for the purpose of erecting a suitable building, to be used as a Town Hall, Library and a Maori Museum, with the necessary Municipal Chambers combined, and also if possible a Fire Brigade Station at the back. Such a building, costing about ,£4.000, could be raised and dedicated to the memory of the late Hon. R. Seddotl, P.C., a man. who has always striven his best for both the Maoris and ourselves alike, but whether the tribute would be worthy of the man would be another question, but; as we shall have clone our best, our tribute will be of the best. There is no doubt but that other and more worthy tributes to that illustrious man’s memory will be erected throughout the colony, but we are only a small section of that colony that he has done so much for, or may I say so enriched. There is no necessity for me to write further upon our great loss, as it is written in all the papers throughout the Colony, and not only so, but it is truly written in the hearts of every man be he on the side of Government or Opposition, but I may say, to strengthen my proposal, that a man of whom you can say that no amount of bad legislation that may come after him could by any possibility nullify the good that he has done during his term of office, is well worthy of any commemoration that it is in our power to give to his memory. As to the building, the centre could be the larger hall, with a gallery running around the four sides ; one end could be used as an organ loft, and the rest could be devoted to the,, Maori Museum T have before advocated should be built in Foxton. One side of the building could be used for the Public Library, &c,, and the other for Municipal purposes, and in the front of the building, over a handsome porch or entrance to the main hall, a bust or madallion of Mr Seddon could be placed.

For the Maori Museum, I have the assurance that the local Maori: would be -only too glad to help both with money and curios, and why should we not make an effort to secure to ourselves that which any of the Museums of the world are only too glad of a chance to obtain, especially as Foxton is the centre of all the old Maori pahs about this district. How few o their inhabitants are now left to tell the tale, when we look badonly a few ago, upon the welcome we used to receive upon the verv spots that are now quite desolate. The death of him who has just left us may well remind us of the chiefs who have gone before. I am limited to space, and cannot now deal with those whose qualms of conscience cause them to object to receive one of the very numerous gifts of Mr Carnegie; to them I may reply again, but I would now ask, could that money be applied to a better purpose ? and as the money is there why force it to be driven into other channels, that if all the good people object to receive it the bad must, thereby increasing the misery of the world, when by their own action, they could diffuse a lasting benefit to mankind. Hoping that others will immediately assist, in advancing Foxton. lam etc., “Aquarius.”