PUBLIC OPINION.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 2, Issue 140, 28 October 1913, Page 2

PUBLIC OPINION.

This column is "The People's Column." We . invite them to express their views on all public questions and matters affecting the district. We do not identify ourselves with the opinions expressed bv our correspondents

Dpury Public Hall Extension

| TO THE EDITOR.]

Sir,—Will you kindly allow me space to reply to your correspondent "Interested" re the above subject. Firstly: In regard to t>e deputation who waitd on the Road Board not bavirg the authority to do eo, 1 may say that when the subject of the hall extension was first mooted it was decided to hold a meetirg (at which a good number of the original shareholders and trustees were present) and it was agreed that the best way would be to try and get the extension to the hall buili in the same way that the hall was built in some 27 years ago, namely, by public subscription. All present at the meeting promptly subscribed from £1 upwards, which under the rules that the hall was built would constitute them shareholders. And although some of those at the meeting were cot ratepayers, "which your correspondent seems to lay great stres on," they conttibuted liberally towards the for which I think th<?y deserve the greatest credit. This was all done nith the sanction of the old shareholders and trustees, asd that is where the deputation that waited on the Board derived their authonlv.

Secondly: The hall committee, after going into the matter thoroughly for several weeks, came to the conclusion that the only way to extend the hall wculd be to try and get the extension on the front, and seeing that the roadway there is two chains wide it was thought that putting a few feet on the front would not reasonably affect anyone, as it would still leave the road over a chain and a-half wid?. The only other way of extending the hall was on the western side (notwithstanding your correspondent's afsertion that Mrs Brooks offered the land at the rear of the hall, for as far as I understand the hall is already on the road there and the further it is extended the further it will be on the road), and the committee came to the conclusion that it would be too costly to build there, and further that it would not Improve the appearance of the hall either. That is the reason the "so-called" hall c.mmittee waited on the Board to ask if they would take the necessary steps tj acquire sufficient ground for the purpose required (that waa if they as representatives of the ratepayers of the district thought it would be a benefit to the district to do so), and I may state that they were practically of the opinion that it would be. Thirdly: Re acquiring land under the Public Works Act. I presume our worthy chairman and members of the Road Board are quite as capable of defining that Act as your correspondent "Interested." Lastly: It "Interested" iB half as interested as he would have one believe in furthering the extension of the hall, the committee and everyone concerned will no doubt be glad of his assistance in trying to make the hall a benefit to everyone concerned. Thanking you in anticipation, I am, etc., W. COLDICUTT. Drury, October 24th.