NEW ZEALAND CENTENNIAL

Matamata Record, Volume XX, Issue 2019, 23 March 1939, Page 1

NEW ZEALAND CENTENNIAL

MATAMATA’S PART Baths and Park-like Avenue At a well-attended meeting held in the Matamata Town-Hall on Monday a public swimming baths in the Domain and a Centennial avenue were finally adopted as the Matamata schemes for marking the first 100 years in the Dominion’s history. The meeting comprised delegates from all the more important organisations in the -district. Mr. W. A. Gordon, Mayor of Matamata, presided.

In outlining the position to date, the Mayor stated that two major schemes, embracing open-air baths and a plantation avenue, had been adopted. The plan of the plantation reserve had been drawn up by Mr. M. E. Fitzgerald, and that for the baths by Mr. E. T. Stanley. The baths would be full-size, 100 feet by 36 feet, and would be situated in the Domain, fronting Meura street, and next to the school reserve. This was the most suitable place as drainage couid be secured. The estimated cost of the two schemes was £2400, of which sum the Government would contribute £6OO and the Borough Council £6OO, both on a £1 for £3 subsidy. That would leave £I2OO for the public to find. It was necessary to finally approve the schemes that night for submission to the Rotorua zone committee, which would in turn pass the plans on to the Auckland Provincial Committee, and finally to the Government. ' The Rev. J. H. Combes held their would be more enthusiasm for .the baths.. if many could feel the baths would, be set amid lawns and shrubs, like at Paeroa, and not hid behind walls. 4

Mr Griffiths asked ir the* were’ not to be part and parcel of what was •kffown as _the Wrigley scheme for beautifying the front of the Domain. .. The Mayor replied this was so, and stated that-details were not so much to be discussed that night as the main idea. \ Mr. A. ,E. Wrigley stated his view was the baths would be part of the park - and quite, open. . It was quite unnecessary to have an iron fence. Mr' H. E. Schofield commented the plan was pm*ely a utilitarian one as drawn. The Mayor emphasised that they had no one to elaborate the plan at that stage. All that was necessary was a plan iricoroporating sufficient detail to get the subsidy. Mr. Stan ley had kindly volunteered to make the plan tabled, which was sufficient

for the purpiose. The baths would be raised four feet to ensure proper drainage and to save cost. To have ,

them level with the: surface would entail a costly job. There would be a pavilion at the side, with dressingrooms underneath. The frontage would have to b’e commemorative of the Centennial. On the motion of the Rev. J. H. Combes and Mr. G. G. Griffiths, the plan was approved. Total Cost About £2OOO Referring to the cost, the Mayor stated that at a public meeting it had been stated the cost of the baths would be aboift £2OOO. The other £4OO would be used for a plantation avenue. The meeting then discussed a programme of celebrations for the Matamata Centennial Week, March 10 to March 16, 1940. It was finally decided, on the motion of the Mayor and Mr. A. Camp-

bell, that the draft be left to a committee of five, comprising: Messrs. J. Landells, A. E. Wrigley, H.' E. Schofield, H. G. Keeley and I. Kosoof. The commented that the next item for consideration was the matter of raising the finance. Mr. Griffiths remarked that >at a previous meeting it had been suggested that there were a large number of bodies in the district which could donate £lO. He thought the R.S.A. would make one. Mr. G. H. Hawes stated the Mayor had already promised £75. as an individual contribution. It was suggested that individual and donations from various bodies would give the fund a good start, and with a monster queen carnival to wind up, the sum should be secured. Mr. Campbell stated the gir|s in the Basketball Association would find £ 10, he thought. Finance Committee Set Up ' Finally the following strong finance committee was set up to devise ways and means of financing Matamata’s contribution to the Centennial effort: Hon. J. Cotter, M.Lr.G.. Messrs. W. A. Gordon; J. W. Anderson, J. Pohlen, C. E. Maclntyre, W., D. Hay, 6. H. Hawes, H. E. Schofield, S. J. Woodcock, L. H. Little, B. C. Taylor and the Rev. J. H. Combes.

Replying to a question, the Mayor stated that he thought the matter of the provision of further playing fields for the district would be considered by the Physical Welfare Committee, to be set up by the Government, which would cover the area from Walton to Okoroire. Several members present urged that the boundary did not cover the area with community of interest centering on Matamata, and that it should extend from Walton to Tirau. * On the motion of Mr. A. Campbell & hearty vote of thanks was accorded Mr. E. T. Stanley and Mr. M. E. Fitzgerald for preparing the plans.