THE R.S.A. HALL

Taupo Times, Volume I, Issue 22, 11 June 1952, Page 4

THE R.S.A. HALL

As the result of the public meeting held on Friday to discuss the question as to what should be done about the R.S.A. Memorial Hall and club-rooms, the Town Board in effect was given a mandate to take positive action. The issues presented to the meeting were clear cut. When it came to a vote the feeling of the majority was unmistakably in favour of the original scheme in its entirety, and this, notwithstanding the fact that to carry out that scheme would involve the expenditure of a much larger sum than the resources at present at hand. It wi.ll be noted from the report of the proceedings at the meeting that while the Town Board has been charged with the responsibility of adhering to the otiginal plan, the question of ways and means still remains to be worked out. How, it was debated should the balance of the money required for the completion of the project be raised? The simple alternatives were, first, »by borrowing; second, by public subscription. The objections voiced against the first were reasonable, and valid. It narx*owed the field of responsibility to a section of the community by placing the burden on the ratepayers. Such a course, it seemed, would be foreign to the sentiment from which the enterprise derived its support, namely, the public sentiment of the community at large. The logic of the situation supports the argument advanced at the meet~ng that as the project had been launched under the auspices of a concerted community effort, it should be carried to its conclusion by a further effort under the same ausnices. This argument is strengthened by the fact that such an effort would be proportionately subsidised pound for pound if achieved within a definite period. As Mr Ralph Ward emphasised in his remarks in this conne^tion, it is a challenge to the public spirit of the citizens of Taupo. The Town Board knows now where it stands, and from the sentiments expressed concerning ways and means of furthering tfie objective, has been given a lead as to tbe course to be f ollowed. I