PROGRESSIVE TUAKAU.

Auckland Star, Volume 55, Issue 94, 21 April 1924, Page 3

PROGRESSIVE TUAKAU.

TOWN HALL MEMORIAL. There are very few countries that have as many monuments to fallen heroes of the late war as New Zealand. Almost every town and settlement has a war memorial. With an eye to the comfort of returned men, the Taukau Patriotic League approached the authorities of that centre with a request that a building should be erected containing a soldiers' club and reading room; the board purchased a two-acre section on the main street, and ratepayers were asked to sanction a loan of £7000 to build a town hall, which should also be a war memorial. The loan was carried with only 38 dissenting votes. A sum of £750 w&s borrowed from the Government Life Insurance Department to complete the purchase of the sections, and an effort was made to raise a further £6250 for the proposed building. Difficulty was experienced .in securing the money at a reasonable rate, but, owing to the untiring efforts of those concerned, the necessary sum -was obtained from the National Bank of New Zealand at 5$ per cent for 36i years, one per cent sinking fund. Security for this amount was a special rate of 1 1-10 of a penny in the £ of the' capital value of the town area. Messrs. Edgecomb and White, of Hamilton, were appointed architects, and in December of last year tbe contract was let to E. N. Willoughby, of Hamilton, for £5660. The building is of ferroconcrete, 'and will be finished off in front with red brick. Great thought has been given to the general design. Six hundred people can be seated in the main ball, while a further 150 seats have been allowed for in the gallery. Council chambers and the usual offices are on the top floor, and a strong room and picture projection room have been built in. On the ground floor, besides the main hall, there is the soldiers' club and reading room, stage, supper and cloak rooms, etc. • Electric light fittings ar.e complete in every detail in readiness for when the power will be obtainable from the Franklin Power Board. In the interim, power will be supplied by a small motor.. The board proposes to lay out the adjoining sections in small parks, while directly under the speech balcony, and in front of the main entrance will stand the Oft high granite obelisk upon which will appear the names of those killed in action. This will be sacred to those who made the supreme sacrifice, as a roll of honour is already in existence bearing the names of all those from the Taukau district who served. The contractor hopes to complete in July next, and then Taukau will possess a town hall that many larger towns might well be proud of.