MATAURA

Southland Times, Issue 24241, 26 September 1940, Page 11

MATAURA

NEW REST ROOM OPENED CULMINATION OF YEARS OF WORK The general public, together with representatives of the Mataura Borough Council and women’s organizations, responded well to the invitation extended by the Mataura Ladies’ Rest Room Committee to attend the official opening ceremony of the new rest room. The function was followed by an inspection of the premises. The rest room represents the efforts of the committee over about seven years. It cost £5OO and has been opened free of debt, complete with furnishings. Before the door was opened by the Mayoress, the Mayor (Mr C. D. McConnell) thanked all who had given him support as chairman of the committee. There had been comment that such a building was hardly necessary for a town the size of Mataura. It was time that people realized that what was good enough for bigger centres was good enough for Mataura, which had gained repute by its progressiveness. Mrs McConnell remarked that the day was the culmination of long years of endeavour and the consistent work of the committee. She hoped that the women and children would come to realize its benefits. It was a credit to the architect (Mr E. Smith), the contractor (Mr A. Sleeman) and others who had been associated with it. The committee had decided that the place should remain open throughout the day and be made available at a nominal charge for meetings and social functions at night. The committee was also grateful to the Borough Council for its section and grant of £5O, and to the Mataura Women’s Division which had undertaken the furnishing of the rooms.

The rest room is built of brick and roughcast, with a flat roof. The principal room fronts McQueen avenue. It is panelled in Oregon with a fibrous plaster ceiling, an ornamental brick fireplace, wide casement windows and plenty of cupboard space. An open grate in the kitchen, electrical heating appliances and other amenities provide for the social side of gatherings which will be held in the building. PATRIOTIC COMMITTEE

The monthly meeting of the Mataura Patriotic Committee was attended by the Mayor (Mr C. D. McConnell), Messrs L. McVicar, T. G. Boyd, R. Hutton, C. Hannabus, E. J. Calder, I. Maslin, C. Peck, Miss Brewster, Mesdames C. D. McConnell, J. Watson and C. D. Taylor. It was decided to support the campaign for the reclamation of waste materials, the council yards to be the depot and the public to be kept informed of the materials required.

The offer of the entertainment organizer of the Invercargill Metropolitan Patriotic Council to bring a team of amateur wrestlers to the town for a patriotic entertainment was considered, but it was agreed that the committee could not avail itself of the offer in the meantime. An appeal for funds to support the Christchurch Welcome Club was referred to the provincial council with a strong recommendation for financial support. A decision to launch an appeal tor soldiers’ Christmas parcels and for cash donations was made by the commitThe secretary reported that the Ma-

taura fund now stood at £1144/12/2, while the Waimumu and Charlton committees had been credited with £lB/13/- and £134/17/- respectively, paid in at Mataura.

GIRL GUIDE MOVEMENT The Mataura Girl Guide Association held its annual meeting in the Guide room under the chairmanship of Mrs Robert Hutton. There was a good attendance. The annual report revealed that the organization had experienced another successful year. Three meetings were held and were weil attended, while the usual parades of Guides and Brownies had taken place on Anzac Day and wreaths were laid on the memorial. Poppy Day sales were organized by the Guides. A concert was held in October, producing £3/12/6, and a fun fair in the Stewart Hall on July 13 realized £6/15/7. An appeal was made by the Guide movement throughout the Dominion for the purchase of two ambulances and Mataura raised £l3/10/6, which was forwarded to headquarters. Several boxes of home-made garments were made up by the committee, Guides and Brownies and forwarded to headquarters for refugees in England. During the year the association lost its president (Mrs A. N. Mac Gibbon) who was bidden farwell by the Guides and Brownies, the attendance including representatives of the Invercargill association. Mrs Hutton was elected president.

Mrs Hutton complimented the Guides and Brownies on their efforts during the year. Captain Knowles and the Tawny Owl, Miss McDonald, presented reports for which they were thanked by the Commissioner (Dr Woodhouse). Votes of thanks were also accorded the secretary (Mrs J. H. Sutherland) and the auditor (Mr W. Buchanan). The previous committee was reelected and Mrs Hutton was appointed president.