FINE PUBLIC SPIRIT

Evening Post, Volume CVIII, Issue 101, 29 October 1924, Page 5

FINE PUBLIC SPIRIT

GENEROUS GIFTS ACKNOWLEDGED BY COUNCIL.

At the Lower Hutt Borough Council meeting last night a letter was received from Messrs. Riddiford brothers, donating to the borough a sum of £5000 for the purpose of erecting up-to-date swimming baths in the borough. The details of the donation were published in connection with the opening of the Plunket and Dental Clinic 'recently. ; The Mayor stated that the receiving of such a donation to the borough gave him the greatest pleasure. He moved: "That this council, having received from Messrs. E. V., D. S. H., and Eric Riddnord ai voluntary offer to lodge in trust with the council a sum of £5000 for the erection of swimming baths within the. borough for the use of the residents, it is. now resolved that we accept the offer. In accepting the munificent gift the council places en record its very high appreciation of such generosity and fine civic spirit therein shown by the donors, and expresses its. gratification at the fact that such a gift comes from the members of a family which has so long and honourably been known in the borough ; and, further, the council assures the donors that these baths will supply a long-felt want and be of the greatest benefit to the' borough inhabitants." Councillor Hobbs seconded the motion, and wished to congratulate the donors on their splendid donation. It was indeed a most generous act on the part of Riddiford brothers, and would be of great benefit to the inhabitants. They could not say sufficient to adequately thank the donors. . Councillor Hunt supported the motion.- He said the gift of the baths to the borough would assist iv the future development of the borough. It. would fill a long-felt and desirable want. It was recognised throughout the world that good baths were necessary to the health and happiness of the community. He felt sure that the Riddifords would always be remembered with pride for their magnificent gift. The other donors to the Plunket and Dental Rooms were also worthy of their- best thanks because they had given according to their means. Councillor A. M'Bain said that when he read of the gift of the Riddifords in the newspapers he was filled with pride that he belonged to a borough that had been so blessed with such a civic spirit. He was also pleased to know that men and women who had been blessed with this -world's goods were prepared to dig deep into their pockets to i give oleasure to others. The gift of Messrs' Riddiford was a magnificent one, and would do away with the sad drowning accidents that had happened by the children having to bathe in .the Hutt River. He could not conceive a moro worthy object than the erecting of swimming baths. The ladies and gentlemen who had given donations to the Plunket and dental clinic would be rewarded in seeing healthy children growing up able to enjoy the blessings of good health. Councillor Meldrum endorsed the remarks of the previous speakers. The. motion was carried unanimously. Motions of appreciation, were also passed to the following:—All donors to tho Plunket and dental clinic; the Plunket- Society; the Press; Hutt Bowling Club; headmasters of the Main and Eastern Hutt Schools, Girl Guides, Hutt Band, and Messrs. Hayward and G. A. Chapman, and all others who worked to I carry out the success of the borough's undertaking.