ONE MORE EFFORT

Taupo Times, Volume II, Issue 62, 25 March 1953, Page 4

ONE MORE EFFORT

JN this number of the Times we publish an aecount of the public meeting reeently called by the Taupo War Meraorial Hall Association to report the results of the recent Carnival held to raise funds for the projected War Memorial. In round figures the sum of £3900 will be added to the amount already in sight, this figure representing the approximate proceeds of Carnival and donations, £1950, plus the Government's £ for £ subsidy. In view of the difficulties being experienced in raising moneys for sueh memorials elsewhere, as instanced in two cases referred to in our columns, the results of the Taupo Association's etfort is most satisfactory. The present position of the funds in sight for the Memorial is as follows. The amount in the Town Board's hands representing cash and assets handed over by the R.S.A., as reported in the Times of June 11th last, is in round figures £4635, which with the £ for £ subsidy will amount to £9270. Adding the amount resulting from the Carnival, plus the subsidy, the approximate total in sight comes to £13,170. With a contract let at £14,850, a further sum of £1680 will be required, as a minimum. Incidental expenses and furnishing will of course, have to be added. It will be noted that the recent public meeting has appointed a representative committee to undertake the raising of a further amount to finalise the project, and it is hoped that the public will put their full and willing weight behind this committee for one more effort. Let it not be forgotten that the Memorial Hall is to be this generation's memorial to men who gave their lives for .their country. That the memorial is to be in utilitarian form does not detract from its high purpose. Let us recall a story told by Mr Garth Patchett at a meeting in Taupo some time ago. A friend of his on active service remarked one day apropos war memorials, that "if they ever put up memorials to us blokes I hope they'll put up something the people can use." That friend was killed soon after. There is no doubt that his rere) ark summarlsed accurately enough the views of the men who fought.