LOCAL MEMORIALS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 10 August 1939, Page 7

LOCAL MEMORIALS

CENTENNIAL CELEBRATIONS DISTRICT SCHEMES. PROPOSALS BEFORE ZONE COMMITTEE. Approval of local centennial memorial projects in the Wairarapa was given by the Wairarapa District Zone Committee at a meeting held in Masterton yesterday. The Carterton proposals were referred back, as it was indicated that they would not be sanctioned by the authorities. The Akitio County Council proposed the establishment of a Centennial Park based on the present scenic reserve at Pongaroa, together with the erection of a permanent symbol in the form of an entrance archway. The scheme entailed the proper and effective fencing of the whole area, the planting of shelter belts of suitable trees to protect the native bush and assist rehabilitation of same and the erection of a memorial gateway, at a total estimated cost of £220. It was explained that some difficulty had arisen in negotiations with the Government for the acquisition of an area of land in connection with the scheme. Messrs Duncan McGregor ,and T. Jordan, members of the Wellington Provincial Executive, undertook to press the county’s claims in respect to the land it was desired to secure from the Government. The joint Pahiatua borough and county scheme involved the planting of an avenue of trees in Glasgow Street, giving access to Carnival Park, inside which it was proposed to level, grass and form a playing area, plant trees and establish a camping ground, the estimated cost being £145. Mr S. K. Siddells (Mayor of Pahiatua) said they were much indebted to Mr H. E. Gardner, of Masterton. for visiting the Park and making recommendations in connection with the scheme. A memorial in the form of a children’s playground to be erected adjacent, to the Eketahuna Swimming Baths was proposed by the Eketahuna Borough and Eketahuna County, the estimated cost being £2OO. The Mayor of Masterton. -Mr T. Jordan, stated that the Masterton Borough and Masterton County had combined in. a tree planting scheme at the northern and southern approaches to the town and half the trees had already been planted. The estimated cost was £75. The Greytown Borough scheme was to erect a rest foom at an estimated cost of £4OO. The erection of a swimming baths in Considine Park was proposed by the Martinborough Borough, at an estimated cost of £lOOO. On the suggestion of the Mayor of Martiriborough. Mr C. W. Skill, Mr Jordan undertook to see the Masterton Borough Engineer, Mr C. R. Mabson, with respect to preparing plans for the baths. Although no scheme had yet been decided on by the Featherston Borough. the Mayor, Mi’ J. W. Card, said a meeting was to be called to consider the matter. All the above proposals were approved. “It looks to me very much like maintenance,” said Mr Jordan, referring to the Carterton Borough and Wairarapa South County proposal for the improvement and renovation of the Car-, terton swimming baths, at an estimated cost of £4OO.

Mr Duncan McGregor observed that the Under-Secretary of Internal Affairs had ruled regarding an application from Taihape that the Government would not sanction that type of thing at all. It was decided to refer back the proposals and to point out that a similar application had already been refused by the National Council. The chairman. Mr Jordan. Mr Duncan McGregor and the secretary. Mr J. C. DI Mackley, wore appointed a committee to deal with amended proposals from Carterton and with the Featherston scheme or any others that might arise. The appointment of a person to write a survey of the Wairarapa district for a Centennial publication was also left in the committee’s hands.

No proposals were submitted by Mauriceville County. Castlepoint County or Featherston County councils.