THE TOWN HALL.

Otautau Standard and Wallace County Chronicle, Volume I, Issue 17, 22 August 1905, Page 2

THE TOWN HALL.

{(To the Editor). Sir, — At the annual meeting of the Wallaoe Mounted Rifles it was resolved to remove the headquarters of the Corps to Otautau. The company are possessed of £200 m cash, and when they make their headquarters here, will require a building for the storage of their material, praotice, firing, and drill. It may not be generally known that volunteer companies are granted a subsidy of £1 for £1 for the erection of drill halls. The urgent necessity of soma improvements and enlargements' m our local town hall and its appointment?, must very shortly be faced. I am always anxious to support any movement that tends to improve the township, and under ordinary oircumptances would be very glad to see a drill ba'l erected. As a ratepayer, however, I have every right to endeavour that when improvements are contemplated they might be on lines economical to mype'f and of benefit to my neighbours. The hall at present brings m a good revenue to the board, whicii is available for helping other necessitous works about the place. If a drill hall is put up it will divert a lot of revenue away from the present hall which, instead of being available to ratepayers, will swell the purse of the volunteers. It is quite common talk that the volunteer company contemphi t<» building a hall. Now could something not be done by the Town Board to meet the wants of thevolunteersandhavethem as tenants instead of opponents, and thus add to the town revenue m place of 'outting it down. I dont know whether the regulations permit,but it seems to me it is worth trying to make arrangements with the company fortho investment of their £200 m the town hall, and give them the accommodation they want, even if it were allowed for many years for nothing. Chances sometimes crop up, and need to be grasped quickly or lost. The present seems a good chance to supply a lot of needs m an economical way — Ijhope some of those interested will grasp it. — I am, etc., Economy.