PEACE MEMORIAL.

Otaki Mail, Volume 26, 7 April 1919, Page 3

PEACE MEMORIAL.

AND PEACE CELEBRATIONS, PUBLIC MEETING AT OTAKI. . There was a "capital and representative attendance of some 25 persons at the public meeting, convened by the chairman of the Otaki Pariotie Society, held at Brights' Theatre on Friday night Mr .W. B. Smith, who occupied the chair, explained that the meeting had been called for the" dual purpose of considering the erection of some suitable peace memorial, and also holding peace celebrations in Otaki. Dealing with the" memorial, -which. Mr Smith thought was the more important of the two subjects, he stated that this matter had been discussed at several meetings of the Otaki Patriotic, Society, and hcj gave an indication of the proposals that J had come before that body. They hadl til been of opinion that it would be un- j

wise to confine their efforts to tho erection of a monument pure and simple, but were unanimous "that whatever form the memorial took it should bo worthy of the great occasion, and should serve some useful purpose, as well as be a lasting monument. One suggestion was that ornamental gates should be erected to the entrance to the

Otaki Domain; another that a section of land bo secured, fronting Wacrenga road, giving access to the Domain from that'road. If the latter scheme were adopted, it was suggested that the section acquired bo planted and made a beauty spot, and memorial gates might be erected at the entrance. Other suggestions wore that a garden plot be acquired right in the town wheTO visitors might rest a while, while yet another more ambitious proposal was that municipal buildings be ereeted on tho Town Board's section, these to comprise municipal offices, public library and reading-room, and possibly a town hall. This latter scheme was a big proposition, though, if it could be managed, might bo made self-supporting. Mr Smith urged that whatever was done, they should erect some distinctive memorial, that would be permanent and worthy of the great occasion. They had a chance of doing something for the town, and at the same time erecting a worthy memorial for those who had given their lives during the war. Mr Byron Brown, said tho bigger , scheme of the municipal buildings ap- J pealed to him as the most fitting for the occasion. It was a big thing for Otaki to raiso £SOOO, which would bo required, but he was sure it could be done if people would only be generous, fluch a building would help to push on : the town, and while the other suggestions made by the chairman woro good, - they were not so worthy as the ono ho i recommended. Mr Brown pointed out Jhat such •an occasion would never occur again, and it was right up to the people of Otaki and district to rise to the occasion and do .the thing handsomclv. He moved that this meeting approve of- the suggested erection of j municipal buildings at Otaki as a peace j

memorial. The motion was seconded by Mr Bramloy. Mr Perm favoured the proposal, pointing out that such a scheme should commend itself to the citizens, as it would bo a great improvement to tho architecture of the town, and supply a-lon"-felt want. He emphasised the, point that the building .should make ample provision for a good readingroom and conveniences for visitors to Otaki who might wish to pass an hour or two. and thought that residents of Tc Horo, Manakau and surrounding district would help if this wero done. Mr J. R. Bills thought such a building should include a town hall, as the present building had a monopoly. The opinion was expressed by some that the scheme was a splendid one, but doubts were voiced as to whether sufficient means could be raised. Mr Pcnn pointed out that while the Government refused to give any subsidy whatever for the erection of permanent peace memorials, which would in most cases be a lasting improvement to the towns where erected, they were prepared to subsidise £ for £ on fireworks and Other similar functions to celebrate peace—expenditure that-left absolutely nothing tangible. He thought this was an extraordinary attitude to adopt. ' Mr Brows said it appeared from the intimation the Town Board had received that there was no limit to the subsidy they might make on peace celobrationsjbut for a permanent peace memorial nothing would be given by the Government. Mr Smith said it seemed to him a sinful waste of public money .to grant big subsidies to go up in smoke. The Chairman said he was afraid

that if they passed Mr Brown >s reso- j hition they," would find the scheme too J '" big for them, and then nothing would I bo done. It was suggested that if it was found impracticable to curry out the municipal building scheme, they could then ■ decide on a smaller one. Mr Byron Brown thought they should be able to find twenty or thirty persons public-spirited enough to give £IOO each for municipal buildings. Mr H. "Witchell expressed the opinion, that on such-a momentous occasion? thev should tackle . something worths j while. He favoured the bigger scheme, i which was.an excellent one, and agreed with Mr' Brown that they should be able to find many men willing to give j £IOO each. They should certainly do ■ something worthy. ~ ' Air A E. Anderson favoured Mr , Smith's suggestion for the new on-j V -fence to the Domain from Waercnga • * Boa"dN There couia be no-limit to such j "St scheme, and they could make the entrance beautiful and afterwards improve the Domain itself. ' Mr j. B. Bills said the Domain was at present only a grazing ground, and he did not favour spending.. so much money on a new entrance. He favoured a garden and resting-place, in the town

.... Mt.E.EI Qlliyer Mr Brown ~'s a I scheme would be'well supported by residents 1 of the outlying district, who would find sueh a building most convenient. The building would bo of great benefit to the town as a.whole. '• Bev. Petrie strongly supported the proposed municipal buildings. He stated that hi a short time they would probably find a certain class of building closed, and they would have to pro- ; vide a. place for tho young men to i spend their .evenings. The suggested now. building should include a social hall, with a billiard table,' also,a place for ladies. It should also bo made to commemorate the soldiers who had fallen. ..• -,. '■■-■ ■

Mr J. S. Pole stated tho Town Board required proper offices, and here was an opportunity of getting an up-to-date building. He favoured the scheme, and said the upkeep of tho Wacrenga road scheme would be too costly. Possibly the Town Board would .raise part of the money required by loan. Rev. Blathwayt said the scheme should appeal to the hearts of the people. The building should have the names of all district residents who had given their lives for their country in tho war. There was great need of such a building as that suggested, and he gave it his hearty approval. Mr S. Norgrove suggested that an observaton tower be erected on .the proposed building, which should servo the dual purpose of a peace memorial and a thank offering. Ho suggested tho seheme might be extended over two or three years, if too much to bo carried out at once.

Messrs Anderson and Bills said they were quite willing to support the bigger scheme.

Messrs Reynolds, St. George and .Albert Smith supported Mr Brown's proposal.

After very full discussion, which was unanimously in favour of tho municipal buildings scheme, Mr Brown's motion .was put and carried unanimously 'amidst applause. i It was resolved, on the motion of Mr [Nieolson, seconded by Rev. Blathwayt, that a committee be set wp, comprising seven members, to propound a schemo for ..financing the proposed memorial and preparing details of same, and report to another public meeting, to be held within a month.

The following wero appointed fcd tho committee-.—Messrs Byron Brown, H. Witchell, J. R. Bills, J. S. Pole, Rev. Petrie, A.' E. Anderson, and Prank Penn. Peace pelebrations. The matter of peaeo celobrations was then, discussed. ... Mr Byron Brown road a circular,rcceived by the Otaki Town Board, asking tho Board to take the matter of peace' celebrations in. hand, stating what was proposed in .the matter, and giving particulars of subsidy that would be available for expenditure on the celebrations. Mr Brown said tho Town Board had thought it advisable to bring the matter before that night's public meting. The programmo outlined by-tho Govornnicnt provided for three days' celebrations:' Sunday, Monday and Tuesday. The Sunday was to be devoted to a big thanksgiving service, in which all the churches should join; Monday, soldiers' day, with military sports, special honouring of soldiers,"etc.; and Tuesday, devoted to. the children—a; children's day... Mr Brown thought it would be advisable to liave. only-two - days' celebration in Otaki—Monday and Tuesday. . .Rev. Petrie urged that .they should not leave out tho children's day—that should be the prominent featuro of the celebrations. He though .they should i got the children from tho surrounding 1 district to conio to Otaki to skaro in • the celebrations.

After discussion, it was resolved that , the arrangements for the peace cele- j brations be left in the hands of tho Town Board, together with the executive of the Otaki Patriotic Society. . Considerable discussion ensued as to the advisability of holding two or three days' celebration, and on the question being put to the vote a major* ity favoured adhering to the three days as suggested by tho Government. The chairman pointed out, however, that this could only go as a recommendation to the committee, which could act exactly as, it pleased. Mr Brown notified that he would call a meeting of the peace celebration committee .in a few days time. A capital meeting terminated at a late nour.