CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION

Opotiki News, Volume II, Issue 138, 25 January 1939, Page 2

CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION

MEETING OF COMMITTEE REQUEST TO COUNCIL PROVISION OF REST-ROOM ! A meeting the Opotiki Centennial Celebration Committee was held in the Opotiki Boro/ugli Chambers last night. Present: The Mayor, Mr. G. S. Moody (in the chair), Mosdames A. E. Martin, C. Black, Messrs. T. G. Johnson. Cf JD. Brown. F. H. Roe, F. W. Bridger, A. G. Stevenson and Mr. W. H. Briggs (secretary) . Mr. Briggs explained that the subsidy on money raised for centennial memorial purposes would be subsidised £1 for £3 collected by subscriptions. He stated that the borough council had authority to make contributions to* such a fund. In the event of money being raised by subscriptions for a rest and Blanket room the council had authority to l make a contribution.

The question of providing the suggested rest and Plunket roms by public subscription as a centennial memorial was discussed at length but the general opinion was that the sum required could! not. bei raised. ’ Mr. Bridger said there could he no harm in trying to raise the money, in an endeavour to. secure the subsidy.' Mr. Stevenson contended that a Jot of time would be wasted in trying to raise the necessary funds ami expressed doubts as to whether such atfi appeal would be successful. He conidered the effort would be left to a few people only and after the experience of trying toi raise money for a gymnasium lie for one would not take part in it. He considered they were only wasting time about the rest and Plunket room and were getting ho further ahead. He considered the facilities should be provided by the Borough Council. They would have to do something: definite about the rest room and. the only way appeared to he for the council to undertake the work bv a loan.

Mr. Johnson said the committee would have to go warily or they would be “lc-t in” for something after the celebrations, if there was a shortage in the funds. Members of the committee said there appeared to be a lack oi enthusiasm in connection with the celebration in the district, as was shown by the attendance, which was not a. representative one. After a lengthy discussion ‘ABO Stevenson moved and Mrs.' Martin

seconded, that provision for the prpy posed rest and: Piunkct rooms be maVtr by other means and that they forogp am- centennial subsidy on same.-The . . . jiiotion was carried.

Mrs. Martin moved, and Airs'.; Black seconded, that the Borough Council be asked to provide a I*l unit- _ ot- and rest room according to the plans submitted and which were approved. The motion was carried.