DRURY PUBLIC HALL.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 2, Issue 134, 7 October 1913, Page 2

DRURY PUBLIC HALL.

Scheme Fop Enlargement. Discussed fov Road Board. The social needs of Drury have long since outgrown the accommodation provided by the Public Hall. The hall is peculiarly situated. Along its eastern side runs the original site of the Great South road, long since fenced over but still a '•' paper " road. Immediately in front is the surveyed road, two chains wide, but traffic does not pass close to the front of tiie hall because of the guliy to the western side of the hall, which gully also forms part of the two-chain road although it is fenced in and is used for grazing purposes. What the Hall Committee propose to do is to get that part of the "road" closed in front of the hall and to utilise the piece taken to build the hall extensions upon.

A deputation of six, for whom Mr Coldicutt acted as spokesman, waited upon the Drury Road Board at its meeting on Saturday to discuss the project with members. Mr Coldicutt said they desired to ask tho Board to lake the necessary steps to acquire sufficient ground for tbo hall and the Committee thought the best extension would be to go out in front.

The chairman (Mr Glasson) said there was a certain amount of opposition from Mr and Mrs Brooks, senr., against extending the hall towards the front. If there had been no opposition the land could have been simply taken but as it was they would have to follow tho proceduro laid down under the L'ublic Works Act. Otherwise the Lands' Act would have met tho case.

Mr Coldicutt : Could the Board call a meeting of ratepayers and see it there is any opposition ; it is only slight, anyway. Mr Brooks, junr., (member of tho Board) pointed out that it was not a Town Hall by any means ; it was a private affair. ITe asked what the Public Works Act was for ? It was to acquire public lands but not for private people Mr Coldicutt : But tho hall is for the benefit of the people of the district.

Tha chairman said the road in front was nearly two chains wide and pait of the width was practically useless to the public but would be valuable to the Hall Committee. The Committee asked the Board to resume some 80 feet of the road, and tho Hall to take it over.

Mr Brooks said lie was sure they would object to it. The clerk (Mr Fielding) said a scheme had been propounded to him that the rooms should go upstairs and utilise the whole of the ground tloor for the hall. The chairman said that would be very costly. The deputation said they would guaiantee the initial expenses. Mr Brooks said the desire in other places was to make the roads wider, certainly not narrower, at the corners.

A deputationist: If oi feet is taken tho road will still be 11 chains wide.

The company then inspected the silo. Upon resuming, Mr Langford said he did not see that anyone would sutler by the extension although Mrs Brooks was against it. It would be for the advancement of tho Ilall Committee and for the betterment of the place.

The chairman said tbut Mrs Brooks had just intimated that she had nothing further to say and that anything further must be doue in writing. Tho clerk said it had been stated that >i Supreme Court writ would be issued if any further action wore taken. The chairman: What has a Supreme Court writ to do with the Public Works Act '! Mr Brooks: There will be a writ issued as .-ouu as you have gone as far as you can !

Mr Browner : I suppose the Committee will go to the oxpen.se 'i The clerk: The money to cover the- estimated cost of the survey, tho plans and advertising must be placed in the hands of the Board before tho Hoard can take action. Tho chairman said ho would uot support the committee for a moment if ho thought it would do harm, but ho did nut think so.

Mr Laugl'ord moved, That the request lie granted provided tho sum of i'2o be deposited with the Board to i ovr the estimated preliminary cost, the distauco to bo taken not to exceed 27 feet. It was understood that if tho cost were to exceed £2O that the Committee would pay ; if the costs were less a refund would bo made. Mr Breinner seconded the motion which was carried. Tho decision having been intimated to the deputation Mr Coldicutt said he would put the matter before a meeting of tho Hall Committee that evening. [Drury district residents should Wi'.tch future issues for further important Road Boaid reports. Next issue, particularly.—Ed.J