THE EXHIBITION

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 59, Issue 19, 2 November 1938, Page 3

THE EXHIBITION

CANTERBURY COURT DISPLAY. ASHBURTON COMMITTEE FORMED. A public-meeting of representatives of organisations and societies in the Ashburton County was held in the Borough Council Chambers yesterday afternoon for the purpose oft forming a committee to organise suitable celebrations in the Ashburton County for the Centenary in 1940, decide on some form of memorial, and to arrange for the district to be represented at the Centennial Exhibition at Wellington. The Mayor (Dr. G. I. Miller) presided, and others present were Messrs F. Frampton and G. Kelly (County Council), J. Lowei'y and S. P. Taylor (Ashburton A. and P. Association), W. N. Lowery (Mayfield A. and P. Association), F. K. Cooper (Advance Ashburton Association), H. Watts (Ashburton Technical School Board), M. J. Leith (Borough School), the Rev. R. S. Watson (St Andrew’s. Presbyterian Church), Pastor M. J. Savage (Church of Christ), Mesdames E. R. Riindle (Plunket Society), H. M. Johnson (Women’s Division of the Farmers’ Union) and M. A. Morgan (Women’s Institutes). Laok of Interest Evident. “I am still very much disappointed at the lack'of interest that is being taken by organisations throughout the-County in the Centenary arrangements,” said the Mayor. He said that nearly every body in the Borough and County had been circularised, and its attention drawn to the fact that a meeting was to be held. If we decide to form a com■mittee to-day you will realise the adverse criticism we ■will get from people from all over the County in that they have not been elected as representatives,” continued the Mayor. However, as it was the second meeting that had been called for the one purpose they would have to go straight ahead and form the committee^ Dr. Miller outlined the organisation work that was being carried out in different parts of New Zealand. The Centennial Council in Wellington was composed of delegates from the four main provinces, while each province had sub-committees. Ashburton was Die main centre in Mid-Canterbury and delegates would have to be appointed to the Canterbury Provincial Council. “We can take it on ourselves to form a local committee now” said the Mayor. Any other County centre, such as Methven or Rakaia, which wanted to be independent, could have its own committee.

The Centenary would be celebrated not only by the exhibition in Wellington. Each town or county centre could raise funds with a view to establishing a permanent memorial, and if approved by the Provincial Centennial Council and the main Centennial Council, in Wellington, this would be subsidised by the Government to the extent of £1 for every £3 spent. “In Ashburton it has been suggested to put a new swimming bath in the Domain and call it the ‘Centennial Swimming Bath,’ ” said the Mayor. The money had to he raised other than by loan, however, and the work had to he approved first of all by the “zoning” committee, —in the case of MidCanterbury the committee in Ashburton on which the various organisations should be represented. “It is a. great pity that all the organisations are not represented here to-day,” said the Mayor. “Afterwards when s they do wake up wo will probably accept their nominations to the committee.” Committee Formed. Those present formed themselves into a committee, and the following appointments were made:—Chairman, Dr. G. I. Miller (Mayor); vice-chair-man, Mr H. J. Crothers (chairman of County Council); secretary, Mr R. C. Major (Town Clerk); treasurer, Mr G. Kelly (County Clerk). The Mayor and Mr F. Frampton were appointed representatives to the executive of the Canterbury Council. It was decided that road boards m country districts be asked to call meetings to' make arrangements and to ascertain whether it was desired that all districts should join in a main celebration at Ashburton.

Mr Cooper made the suggestion that some permanent memorial, such as a fountain, should be erected. The Mayor said that whatever was decided upon, it would have to be of a permanent nature, otherwise tlie_ Government would not grant a subsidy.