MEMORIAL HALL

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVI, Issue 111, 10 April 1926, Page 8

MEMORIAL HALL

FOR AWAHURI TOWNSHIP. DECISION OP RESIDENTS. A further meeting of residents of Awahuri was held last evening to determine the advisability or otherwise of taking over the public hall and renovating it so as to make it the district war memorial. Included in the suggestions negatived at earl’er meetings held to consider in what direction the war memorial funds should bo spent were those relating to the erection of arches at the Awahuri and Te Arakura Schools and the proposed establishment of a schools scholarship. It was agreed at the last public meeting that the committee should ascertain what funds' would be available and secure legal advice on the question of taking over and renovating the public hall, over which Mr G. Lucas, of Awahuri, holds a mortgage for £75. Except for the mortgage the hall is public property. While it is of great value in the social life of Awahuri, it is in a bad state of disrepair, and it was reported to the last meeting of the War Memorial Committee that renovations would involve an outlay of some £4OO. Mr A. Bond, chairman of the Awahuri War Memorial Committee, presided over last night’s meeting The chairman reported that since last meeting £'26 13s in additional subscriptions had been received, and there were concrete promises for further amounts totalling £25 in respect to sums which would bo paid in ns soon as something definite was agreed upon as to the form which the memorial was to take. . . Mr Lucas, the chairn an continued, had taken over the mortgage on the hall from Air Rodgers, and during the intervening years had trusted the public and not concerned himself about its discharge, or even proper registration of the transfer. The committee was now legally advised that when the transfer of the mortgage from Mr Rodgers to Mr Lucas was registered, the War Memorial Committee could discharge it and take over the building. For many years Mr Lucas had been the friend of the district in the manner in which lie regarded his equity in tho public hall—a mortgage which ho had taken over for the weal of the public. Mr Lucas would accept £6O for a clearance over the building, although his mortgage was for £75. (Applause.) MOTION TO TAKE OVER HALL. Mr L. Ilartog moved that, subject to the legal formalities being observed, tho meeting favours taking over the hall to make it freehold to tho people of tho district; that it be renovated by a progressive fund and named tho Awahuri War Memorial Hall; and that any person not in favour of this resolution could withdraw liis or her subscription to tho fund. Mr Duncan Bennett seconded the motion. .. “I am dead against it. It is too old a building to renovate. It may be burned down any time, and I would like to see a memorial which would last for ever,” said Mr A. Wilson. Mr P. Hansen, secretary of the committee, deprecated the idea of taking over and renovating the hall, stating that it would cost a lot of money to put in order, and that the work would extend over a lengthy period. Ho would, however, abide by the decision of the majority. The chairman stressed the value to the district of the retention of tho hull as an essential social centre.^ The resolution was put and carried almost unanimously, and Messrs James Mcßae and A. Collins were appointed trustees.

The following committee was appointed to administer the progress renovation fund: Mesdames E. Bond, J. Speecliley, F. Stephens, A. Humphreys, Messrs W. Mayes, H. L. Hartog, E. Bond, E. A. Bennett and H. Montgomerie.