THE WAIMATE KING EDWARD MEMORIAL COMMITTEE.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 10629, 5 December 1910, Page 4

THE WAIMATE KING EDWARD MEMORIAL COMMITTEE.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) A meeting of the above was held in the Borough Council Chambers on Saturday afternoon at 3 p.m. Present: Messrs Francis, Torlene, E. C. Studholme, Sanders, Dohrmann,' Hamilton, Bremner, Collett, Miller, Graham, Hassall, Garland, and the Rev. M'K. Gibson and Rev. Father Aubry. The Rev. J. Harris and Messrs R. H. Rhodes, Hart, and Holmes forwarded apologies for absence.

A letter was received from the architect, and the Building Committee presented the following report:—"Your Building Committee, in pursuance of instructions given at your meeting held on the loth June last, has proceeded with the erection of a band rotunda on the lines indicated. Plans and specifications were prepared of a base in Tiniaru bluestone, oft high and 26ft in diameter, with three alternatives as to the construction of steps—(a) stone steps with nosing, (h) stone steps (plain), (c) concrete steps. Tenders were advertised in Timaru, Oamaru, and Dunedin; only two were received, and that of Mr J. "W. Mills, of Oamaru, at £253 7s, including stone steps with nosing, was accepted. The second tender for the same work was £360 10s. Mr Mills' tender for stone base with concrete steps was £240 3s, and your Committee felt justified in adopting the better structure in view of. the small difference in cost. Your Committee has placed an order for the necessary- iron work, at £52 10s delivered in Waimate, the design being the nearest procurable in accordance with, your instructions. Plans and specifications have been prepared of a roof as specified by the General Committee, on the lines of the Rotorua rotunda, but the estimated cost (£140) greatly exceeds the Building Committee's expectations. The cost has been increased in some measure by the provision of a convex ceiling. This form of construction adds greatly to the acoustic properties of a rotunda for band work, and we are advised that no other form would be satisfactory. To complete the work on these "lines will require about £IOO more than the treasurer has in sight. An estimate for a plainer roof will be laid before you and the Committee trust that ways and means will be found of completing the rotunda to the satisfaction and approval of all concerned." The meeting was practically unanimous that the best roof possible should be put on the rotunda and an effort should be made to procure the additional funds. A. deputation was appointed to wait upon the Borough. Council and ask that body to grant a £ for £ subsidy upon all further subscriptions received not exceeding £SO towards completing the building. It was also decided to review the collectors' previous work and make a- systematic canvas of those portions of the district that had been overlooked or neglected, a further meeting of the Committee to be held on the 17th inst. to receive reports and come to a final decision. A letter was received from Mr R. H. Rhodes tendering his _ resignation as Chairman of the Committee and enclosing an additional" subscription of £5 towards the funds. . In reply to a question during the meeting the treasurer stated that subscriptions had been received from about 300 individuals. ;