RUNANGA NOTES

Greymouth Evening Star, 17 May 1944, Page 8

RUNANGA NOTES

[OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.] The proposals for transforming the Gymnasium Hall into a public hall at a cost of £1,539 were advanced a ■stage further on Monday evening, when at a public meeting it_was resolved, on the motion of Mr. b, Morri., and Mr D. Campbell, to forward comes of the plans and specifications to the Minister for Mines, with the request that the Department consider making a grant-towards the cost . There was a very small attendance at the meeting, presided over by the Mayor (Mi- E. Kennedy) who outlined the steps so far taken, and die posibie method of raising funds. The matter was fully discussed, the main objections to the proposal can be summarised as follow* —Another hall was not needed in the town and the present building should be pulled down. Those organisations at present using it should do as others had to do, provide for themselves or rent one of the other halls. A ram to provide the finance was not warranted when there was £690 in outstanding rates in the Borough, and in any case any extra rating should be first used on the roads and drains before considering a hall. The Minesr’ Hall is available for nil. All organisations at present using other halls are quite satisfied, and in any case were in no position to pay the vent which would be needed to maintain the building. The hall was btlilt as a gymnasium, why not allow it to revert to that purpose? All educational work should bo conducted in the school. At no time in the past did the nail pay its way, and would always be a “white elephant.” It would become a burden on ratepayers. To counter these objections, it was stated that there were several alternatives to Striking a rate, but in any case such a. rate would have no effect on money available for drains or roads. The list of organisations at present using the building showed the need for such a place. There was at present no hall belonging to the people. The Miners’ Hall is occupied four nights weekly with pictures, and was often too big for the proposed functions. Other buildirw? in the Lown were owned by individual organisations who required the buildings for their own purposes. The new building was designed to suit every organisation. The cultural organisations in the town were doing good by adult education and entertainment, and child welfare and should have a public meetingplace to further their work. If a loan was raised, it would be small, and would not be a burden on the people. The present building was in such a state of disrepair that something had to be done to enable it to be used. The improvements were not designed to provide any opposition to the Miners’ Hall, who had been most generous in the use of the hall when available. The bodies using the present building would assist m raising funds and in maintaining the building. If proceeded with, the hall would not require any major work on it for 15 to 20 years. Even if the Council had to assist financially' in its maintenance, it would still bo worthwhile Whatever proportion had to be raised in the town, say one-third or hall the cost should not be hard to raise, and could be done by donations, personal loans, a borough rate, functions to raise money, or a combination of methods. Finally, the Mayor said that the numbers present did not warrant going into ways and means of raising funds, nor was their unanimity on the proposal. Following a reply from the Minister as to what assistance the Department would give, the matter could again be brought, before the public.

At the Runanga Co-operative Women’s Guild’s Study Circle evening in the Druids’ Hall, Mrs. Oakley presided over a good attendance. Interesting talks were given by Mr.,F. Oakley, (President of Co-operative Society), Mr. T. Bowes (Manager and Secretary) and Messrs R. McTaggart Junr., R. Morris and R. Bowman (Committeemen). Mr. Oakley spoke on the “Co-operative System and What it Means,” Mr. McTaggart on the need lor closer collaboration between the Guild and the Co-operative Committee, Mr. Morris on the practical and theoretical side of co-operation, Mr. Bowman on “what is co-operation and how does it start?” and Mr. Bowes on -the Real Principle of Co-opera-tion/’ Votes of thanks were accorded the speakers, and supper was served. During the supper interval Mrs. Gibb contributed two recitations.

Tae Rtmanga Patriotic Society thanks the- public of Runanga for their support o! tb.e combined ’ State and Convent Schoo] children in their effort of collecting funds for the Society by the coupon system, and the following for donations: Parcel Fund" Anonymous £l, Mrs. S. Finch 67-’ Anonymous 5/-, Mrs. F. Oaklev 5/-, Anonymous 5/-, Mrs. J. Wafer 2/6. .Genera! Fund: Convent and State School Children’s Coupon System" £9 3/6,. State School Collections (nine weeks) £4/13/-. The Women’s Committee has parcelled and packed 120 unaddressed parcels this: year and expects to disnatch another consignment next month. SC I lOOL COMMITTEE. The monthly meeting of the Runanga School Committee was held, last evening. Mr. F. Oakley presiding. > Present were: Mrs. W. Wright ’and Messrs C. Kennedy, R. Thompson Rev. Mr. Brittel, and J. Duggan (Secretary). Canterbury Education Board advised payment of the monthly capitation allowance of £lO/11/2 less deductions. The Secretary reported that this represented a decrease of £1 8/10 from the usual allowance without any explanation.—-It was decided io defer consideration until next meeting.

Camerons Drama Club wrote regarding the staging of three plays at Runanga.—Decided to reply that there would be difficulty in making suitable arrangements for a hall and for supporting programme at present The Returning Officer for the Borough elections wrote asking for the use of the school lor a uolbng place Granted.

Accounts totalling £5/3/8 were passed for payment, and the caretaker was authorised to procure brooms etc. lor school cleaning. The matter of procuring new curtains for school windows was deferred to next meeting.