Whangarei Centennial Memorials

Northern Advocate, 1 March 1939, Page 4

Whangarei Centennial Memorials

In view of the commitments already made by Sub-Zone A 5 (Whangarei) for memorials and proposed celebrations, it was decided at a meeting of the committee last night that the memorials already under consideration be disposed of before others are contemplated.

Although all proposed memorials are to be in the hands of the Northland Zone A by March 15, no notiflcatioti of district memorials from Hikuriaiigi or Kamo have been received as yet. “We have been left hanging in the air,” commented the sub-zone chairman, Mr W. Jones, last night.

Moving, that no others be considered in. the meantime, Mr L. O. Hall, secretary, said that objectives already put forward provided a wide community of interest. * In the borough there were plans jfor acquisition of land and laying out of parks estimated to cost £3OOO, there was arompfehehsiye ■' scheme of tree-planting and .afforestation of all county beaches, and a number of smaller memorials.

Opponents of the motion said, that it would block consideration of any further memorial,'and preferred leaving the' question open until March 15. The motion, was carried. ‘"T ‘'ir ‘i:% ■; ■' Acquisition of Falls. Mr F. G. McDonald moved that the acquisition of the Whangarei Falls be included as a Centennial memorial. Eventually the property would belong

to the public, and, although he considered the present price of £4l per acre too dear, he considered that if the opportunity was missed, more would have to be paid later. Beautification of county beaches would not involve any large expenditure, as the area available for planting trees was restricted.

Stating that the Chamber of Commerce, which had first instituted’ the mave,,..was 100. per cent behind the ! acquisition of the Falls, Mr R. H. Allan anticipated that the Queen, Carnivals in “ association' with the Centennial would be so successful that adequate .funds for the purchase would be available. •; ~ 1 ") “There will be a howl in the town which will take a lot of living down !if this chance -is., missed,” Mr Allen said. Under the direction of a Domain "Board;'' the property could be made self-supporting. “Not Very Popular.” The Falls were not a very popular spot, and, except after heavy rain, were -not a spectacle, said Mr J. M. Cartwright, who said that the one claim Whangarei district possessed to scenic distinction was its sandy beaches, which it was now intended to replant with pohutukawas. , The biggest subsidy which could be obtained for the purchase of the Falls as a Centennial memorial, Mr Jones said, was. £1 for £3, while, if the Qovernment took a hand, which he understood was likely, 50, per cent subsidy would be. given. The high purchase price of the land, £784 for 18£ acres, would not be one-third of the total cost of making the Falls what they should be.‘

Motion Defeated.

. Maim lack in Whangarei wa? beautification of the town, itself, said Mr E. A. Higgins, drawing a sharp contrast •yyith improvements made in such centres as , Cambridge ’ and Hastings. Visitors would be much more impressed if beautification efforts were concentrated upon the immediate prescints of the borough rather than the surrounding district. ' “When visitors, drawn by Tourist Department publicity come on a visit they are told the Falls do not belong to Whangarei but. to Mr Clapharn, and that the A.A, won’t erect signs there,” said Mr ' Allan. “Although .the bush and falls are beautiful, the entrance is appalling.” •

The motion for inclusion of the Palls as a Centennial memorial was defeated by five/votes to three.