The Manawatu Herald. Saturday, November 19, 1910. NOTES AND COMMENTS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 920, 19 November 1910, Page 2

The Manawatu Herald. Saturday, November 19, 1910. NOTES AND COMMENTS.

Now that the Public Hall has fallen a victim to the flames, it is imperative that a suitable building shall be erected to replace it, either by private enterprise or the municipality. We have had to speak adversely iu the public interest, of the old hall: it was primitive, unlovely and lacked the appointments necessary which the Borough Council could have demanded under the Municipal Corporations Act—to ensure the public safety and convenience of those hiring it. We want the owner of the late building to understand that our remarks were at all times actuated by a sense of public duty. We had no personal feeling in the matter at all. The old building will live long in the memory of residents, for within its walls many pleasant hours were spent. Foxton is now faced with a serious loss. Whether the old building had been destroyed or not it was the Mayor’s intention to bring up the question of the desirability of erecting a new public building, and no doubt he will take the earliest opportunity of convening a public meeting to discuss the subject. Some ratepayers may object to the erection of a municipal theatre, on the ground that water and drainage proposals are of prior importance. We- quite agree with the objection, but we believe that it will be shown that a loan for a municipal theatre will not be a burden on the ratepayers. A rate would have to be struck to provide security and to meet the necessary interest and sinking fund, but it must not be overlooked that the building would be revenueproducing. Borrowing is necessary and essential to carry out public works and desirable when it can be proved that borrowed money is reproductive. It is childish to suppose that light, water service, health-giving sanitary conditions, comfortable locomotion, airy and well ventilated public places of amusements, etc., obtain without a penny cost to ratepayers. How benighted, way, ungrateful, such a person would be to expect these things without a little sacrifice. If our municipalities worked under such a policy we would be no better off than the ancient cave dwellers. Foxton is daily beginning to realise that it must come into line with modern requirements and we believe the ratepayers will rally round the Mayor and support any suggestion he may make for the erection of a public hall to meet the pressing, need. We might mention that the Mayor some time ago sent circular letters to other municipalities throughout the Dominion with about the same population as Foxton, and possessing municipal halls, soliciting information, and has received a number of replies, which be will make public at a later date.

We have been asked to direct attention to the fact that “ larrikinism ” is getting rife in Foxton. Certain lads are allowed to roam the streets at night who would be ■better employed with a book at home. A number of people, including young women, have been subjected to coarse remarks as they have passed under certain verandahs where these young bloods congregate. Shop fronts have been disfigured by obscene writing, and screens cut. The other night All Saints' Church was made a target for rotten eggs, and acts of vandalism have been perpetrated. We hardly like to suggest that the culprits, if caught, should be subjected to severe punishment, for although this may be justified, unless inflicted by the parents, it would be violating the law. But something must be done '■a stamp out this growing hooliganism, and we think the police should take a hand in the matter. One irate citizen informs us that had he laid hands on a certain offending youth the other night he would have birched him to good effect. We hope parents will take warning by what is here stated ana endeavour to keep their lads under better control.