THE TIMES. Published on Tuesday and Friday Afternoons. TUESDAY, JANUARY 20, 1920. FINANCING HALLS.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 9, Issue 498, 20 January 1920, Page 2

THE TIMES. Published on Tuesday and Friday Afternoons.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 20, 1920. FINANCING HALLS.

"We nothing extenuate, nor set down aught in malice."

Public halls are among the many things, the building of which was postponed indefinitely during the war, but as soon as our soldiers and sailors had come to the end of "the long, long trail," various hall schemes were proceeded with. A short time ago the Carlton Hall was completed, and now the residents of Paerata are endeavouring to place their district on an equality with surrounding places in this respect. The question of finance is the most difficult one to solve, but there are three methods in general use. Where considerable sums of money are required the non-interest bearing debenture system finds favour, having much to recommend it. In the first place, a debenture holder always has some hope of getting his money back, and for that reason every holder has a personal interest in making the running of the hall financially successful. Furthermore, the system gives promise that new residents coming to the district shall contribute, indirectly, to the repayment of money advanced in the first instance by the original settlers. Then there is the method whereby the cost is met by voluntary subscriptions alone—certainly the most patriotic form. But sometimes voluntary efforts fail to provide the full amount required. in which cases it generally happens that a few wealthy individuals are asked to lend the money; or maybe it is obtained from a bank, persons of means being asked to act as guarantors. Whatever the financial schemes devised, it is necessary that ample provision should be made in the first » instance, otherwise the lack of fusds is liable to cripple the whole venture.

The Paerata Hall Committee hopes to obtain voluntary labour to erect the building, thereby effecting a very considerable saving \n cost. We trust that the scheme will be successful at all points, for there is certainly need of a public hall in a district like Paerata, which, with the advent of the Waiuku railway junction, must- blossom out into a township. If the residents will all pull together in harmony,, and with energy, and in an enterprising spirit, there is little doubt that the venture will prove successful.