WAR MEMORIAL

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 60, Issue 4321, 23 August 1950, Page 9

WAR MEMORIAL

TIME GETTING SHORT COUNTY CLERK’S REPORT COROMANDEL NOW MOVING “The time factor is the all important item now if anything is to be provided for in the way of a war memorial at Coromandel and I take this first opportunity since receiving the latesit Government circular to (bring this matter forward for consideration,” wrote the county clerk, Mr J. H. Lucas, to the August meeting of the Coromandel (County Council. 1 Continuing Mr Lucas stated: “Over 12 months ago I wrote a letter to the various organisations in connection with suggested war memorial setting out the findings of the executive committee at that time, which all hinged round the matter of what finance would he available. I

set out four items as follows:— “1. That the form of memorial would depend upon the finance available.

“2. That it was understood what sum of money the R.S.A. had. “3. If further subscriptions from

the public were forthcoming then the memorial could be more elaborate or better. “4. When the committee had a clear knowledge of what funds were likely to be available it could and would come forward with plans accordingly. “In looking back over the file, there has been practically no response to the feelers sent out, the only interested association being the Coromandel R.S.A. and the R.S.A. went ahead last year to organise an amended scheme from the original community centre object, to provide a new building on county council ground which would have provided that association with the original objects of the association id regard to the proper provision of a club meeting room, the plan also being attached to and forming part of the scheme for reorganisation and rebuilding the county council chambers with a public library. A local museum would have provided an additional amenity in the place, adding dignity to the local government office, providing amenities for the use of the public or at least many sections of the public and I feel sure would have been acceptable or could have been altered to be acceptable to the Government as a war memorial for subsidy purposes.

“You know that the R.S.A. has purchased the St. George’s hall with the funds it had in hand and which the war memorial executive committee had been anticipating, from tenor of various meetings, would form the neuclus of a war memorial fund. “And now the present Government has made a pronouncement in the public press and the circular letter of explanation has been received into the county office in which the policy of the present Government is set as as follows:— “1. Rates of subsidy, £1 for £1 up to first £lO,OOO of cost. “2. Time limit; no moneys collected after June 30, 19-53, will qualify for subsidy. “3. No subsidy will be paid on loan moneys. “4. Time limit for receipt of applications. “In order to qualify for subsidy applications not already submitted should reach the Government by September 30, 1950. “Projects eligible for subsidy will include facilities such as playing or recreational areas, memorial parks and gardens as well as community centres.

After a discussion it was proposed by the chairman, Cr E. Deeble, and seconded by Cr J. H. Reddy, that a special committee meeting be convened as early as possible consisting of Crs. T. V. Whittle, J. H. Reddy, F. H. Purdom, A. J. Denize and the chairman, together with the secretary and president of both the Coromandel R.S.A. and Coromandel Chamber of Commerce to discuss the above and frame a report. The motion was duly carried.