A PUBLIC HALL FOR OAMARU.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 1226, 22 March 1880, Page 2

A PUBLIC HALL FOR OAMARU.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE OAMAIIU MAIL. Sir, —It is generally admitted that tho Press represents to some considerable extent the opinions and desires of the public. This being so, it must be inferrocfc that a public hall is one of the necessities of the town, for both of the local papers; have again and again urged upon its inhabitants the desirableness of orecting and establishing such a place. Several attempts have been made to give effect to the recommendation, but hitherto they have all collapsed. Quite recently another laud- | able effort has been made by a few public spirited individuals amongst us to organise a company to attain a similar object, but I am informed that the public do not. respond to the call to join in the undertaking. In these depressed times when, everyone seems necessitated to button up< his pooket against every demand of a; public nature, I fear there is no probaIbility for a long period of our having at hall ereoted in the manner proposed. The> managers of the Mechanics' Institute aro desirous of having a larger and more suitable building erected than they at present possess, and for this purpose they recently appealed to the public through a bazaar for meawa to effect the object, They succeeded in so far as raising a very respectable sum as a nucleus. Now, Sir, I would, suggest that instead of dividing the means., and energies of the eommunity, it would, be wise so make a concentrated effort to» combine the public hall with the proposed! Mechaoiea* Institute. The Bite (free) is; , already secured—and a first-rate position it, is—and all that is needed is a fund for the erection of a building that would answer for both purposes. Can such a fund be raised 1 I say unquestionably it can. Let debentures be issued of LSO or. LIOO each, bearing interest at 8 per cent, > extending over a period of years, and these would be readily taken up by thosefortunate' individuals in the commuaity who have money to invest. This iaa moroi numerous class than is generally supposed,, for it is certain the bank holds deposits of; such sums very largely, aad surely a. return of 8 per cent, would be preferred; to 5 per cent., the rate allowed by the banks. To provide for the possibility of investors wishing to utilise their money in other directions, the debentures could, be made transferable. The details of the* scheme I am not in a position to describe,, but it may be assumed there is nothing very seriously difficult in iftaking sucli arrangements as would enable tho managers of the Institute to work harmoniously and energetically frith the public in framing a proposal to erect a building suitable for an institute and public halls A more suitable opportunity for carrying out such a design could not be secured,, for labor is very abundant and the price; of material very reasonable. I shall bo, glad to see the subject well ventilated andl discussed. —I,am, &c., Progress with Prudence..