LECTURE HALL AT LINCOLN

Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 27203, 21 November 1953, Page 9

LECTURE HALL AT LINCOLN

WAR MEMORIAL FOR YOUNG FARMERS OPENING BY MR HOLLAND NEXT MONTH u fine new lecture and meeting nail has been erected at Canterbury Agricultural College, Lincoln. It is part of the national memorial of the Young Farmers’ Club movement in New Zealand to members who gave their lives during World War 11. The hall will be officially opened by the Prime Minister, Mr Holland, on December 1, during a field day for farmers at the college and a memorial plaque in the foyer of the new building will be dedicated by the Bishop of Christchurch, the Rt. Rev. A. K. Warren.

More than 3500 members of the Young Farmers’ Club movement served overseas during the last war and at least 500 of these lost their lives. Young farmers on active service retained their interest in the movement through clubs set up in the war zones. Clubs were formed in the Middle East as early as 1940 and there were clubs in the Pacific, at Air Force bases on all fronts, and in prisoner-of-war camps in Italy and Germany. The annual conference of the movement iri 1942 approved the idea of a national memorial to its war dead and subsequently clubs throughout the country were asked to suggest what form this memorial should take. In general clubs were in favour of “a memorial giving service to the community as well as commemorating the fallen.” The 1946 conference of the movement then adopted the proposals of a special committee which recommended the erection of buildings at Massey and Canterbury Agricultural Colleges which could be used in conjunction with short courses for young farmers at the colleges. It was planned to raise £20,000, £13,000 being for the erection of accommodation at Massey and £7OOO for a hall at Lincoln. The memorial wing at Massey was opened recently by the Prime Minister.

The new building at Lincoln is situated close to a building erected in 1949 to accommodate students in residence during short courses but it will be used for general college purposes in addition to Young Farmers’ Clubs conferences and functions. It is a concrete building with brick veneer finish. The hall proper, with seating accommodation for about 100, is a light and airy room. Along most of the northern side are tall windows and the room, which is plaster lined, is finished in pleasing pastel tones. The wall at one end of the hall has been painted white so that it can be used as a screen for moving pictures and slides.

- In making available £7OOO for the erection and furnishing of the hall the Young Farmers’ Clubs have provided the major part of the money involved. To meet the full cost the college has supplemented the Young Farmers’ contribution.