The Times. Published on Tuesday and Friday Afternoons. Motto: Public service. TUESDAY, AUGUST 10, 1920. TUAKAU MEMORIAL HALL PROPOSAL.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 9, Issue 556, 10 August 1920, Page 2

The Times. Published on Tuesday and Friday Afternoons. Motto: Public service. TUESDAY, AUGUST 10, 1920. TUAKAU MEMORIAL HALL PROPOSAL.

Tuakau, like a number of other Waikato towns which have been making progress during the past decade, has outgrown some of the institutions which have served it well in the past. The people now realize that Revel's Hall, which, we understand, has been in existence for over thirty years, and has been a boon to the town in years gone by, is now altogether too small and too poorly equipped to satisfy modern requirements. There is not nearly

enough seating capacity, dressing or supper room accommodation to fulfil demands marie when any ' major function is held. The returned soldiers' ball last Wednesday night amply proved the utter inadequacy 'of the place to aarry such a large number of people, to say nothing of affording the ordinary appointments necessary for moderate comfort. So much is too obvious to need amplification or treatment in detail. Recognizing that a forward move must be made by the local governing body if a new hall is to be in the hands of the citizens instead of being built and owned privately, the Tuakau Town Board, at the instance of the ratepayers, has brought forward a proposal to borrow £7OOO for the purpose of building a town hall which shall belong to the people of Tuakau as long as it lasts. The plan, we understand, is on similar lines to that of Papatoeto Town Hall, and designed by the same architect (Mr. John Routly). Those who have seen the Papatoetoe Town Hall will agree with us when we state that if Tuakau gets a similar building it will have a hail

to be proud of, and one that will meet the requirements of the town for many years to come. Of course, there will be opposition to the proposal,

which is as it should be; capable and clean criticism can do no harm, and the other sort can easily be exposed. Those opposed to the project wiH endeavour to frighten timid ratepayers by the spectre of increased rates, but they will probably not be candid enough to state that the hall, if built and run on business lines, will be self-sup-porting', or nearly so. But there are wider aspects of the scheme which far-sighted people will bear in mind. Tuakau people take a just pride in their town; they wish to increase its status as a centre and to attract the trade and social life of the surrounding 1 districts into the town. To secure these advantages certain responsibilities must be provided, otherwise people will go elsewhere to enjoy the pleasure and comfort of good roads, lighting and water services, decent public buildings aud the like. Every convenience of this nature that a town can boast of adds to its prestige, makes it a more desirable place to live in, acts as a magnet to draw traffic and trade, and so increases the value of town properties and those on the fringe of the boundaries. Even if a new hall wei o not nearly self-supporting it would indirectly pay for itself by enhancing the value of the town and adding to its capacities as a centre. Although we have stressed the purely material and financial aspect of the case, we are not unmindful of

the higher objective the promoters of the hall project' have in view, namely, that the building shall constitute a memorial to the district's soldiers, both the dead and living. Posterity will cry "Shame" on the town which has not its war memorial, and the young men of the future will not be inclined to sacrifice themselves and all they hold most dear for the sake of King and country, hearth and home, if they see no memorials of their forefathers who fought and died in the name of Liberty. The financial burdens which individuals and the nation now have to bear make it quite impracticable to spend a suilicient sum to provide an imposing enough memorial which shall serve no other purpose, and therefore sentiment and utility must go together. The pia'.i makes provision for a room in the hall to be used virtually as a Returned Soldiers' Club, and handed over to ex-soldiers to be run in their own interests, so that both the dead and the living shall be remembered. Tuakau is at an important stage in its history, and accordingly as the people are progressive or apathetic so will the place expand or stagnate. But apart from the debt of gratitude due, and the expression of it in material form involving some sort l of risk or sacrifice we believe : that the majority of the rate- i

payers of Tuakau are not going to be baulked of ownership of a splendid haU by the craven pessimism of a few local lamenting Jeremiahs, who cry down all progressive movements. It is already assured that two front rooms will be let as shops at good annual rentals, and if tenders were called for the letting of the main building once or twice a week, for a term of, say, two years, for pictures, there would almost certainly be good offers made. The financial aspect is cheerful, and there's a duty to be done towards the memories of the fallen and for the pleasure and comfort of those fortunate enough to return. If they are wise to where their material.interests lie. and also worthy of the higher motives behind the memorial hall loan proposal, the ratepayers will carry it by a substantial majority.