THE R.S.A. HALL

Taupo Times, Volume I, Issue 21, 4 June 1952, Page 4

THE R.S.A. HALL

As announced by advertisement elsewhere in this issue, a public meeting is to be held in Rickit's Hall on Friday evening next, June 6th, at 8 p.m., to consider the position with regard to the R.S.A. Hall. As our readers are aware, there has been > considerable controversy on this question in the correspondence columns of the "Times." In view of the meeting now about to be held we consider it desirable, therefore, that the facts of the position concerning the proposed hall should be recalled to the public mind, and simply stated without reference to divergent opinions on the subject. The R.S.A., with the assistance of three queens, namely, Maori Residents, Ratepayers, and Business, together with their supporters . raised approximately £4500 to build a hall and rooms. It was then under'stood that they could get from the Government a £ for £ subsidy. . On the R.S.A. applying to the Internal Affairs Dept. they were advised that -one of the conditions under the Government's present policy covering subsidies was that the hall must be vested in the Local Body.

A meeting was held at which it was decided to hand the money ovei to the Town Board so that Taupo could get the benefit of the subsidy. Plans and specifications were prepared, and fchese were sent to the Government in December 1950. Fina' approval was not received from the Internal Affairs Dept. till the end of September, 1951. The next step was to call for tenders, but in the meantime building costs had risen. Only one tender was received and that very much in excess of the money available. The Board could not build a hall as approved by the Internal Affairs Dept without raising further money s anc this is the position at, the moment. As we see it there are three issues to be decided: — 1.— That the hall as per origina', plans and specifications be built., The Town Board raising the addition- | al money required by public sub-

scription or per medium of a loan. 2. — That plans and specifications be drawn up for a hall within the amount of money available. 3. — That the money be returned to the R.S.A. to build what they can and Taupo to lose the subsidy. This is not a sectional question. The people of the Taupo Country as a whole, in one way or another have an interest in having the argument brought to an end, and the project taken seriously in hand. Friday's meeting is therefore an event of pub- . lic importance, and it is hoped that it will be well attended.