Patea & Waverley Press WEDNESDAY, FEB. 26, 1919. A PEACE MEMORIAL

Patea Mail, Volume XLIII, 26 February 1919, Page 2

Patea & Waverley Press WEDNESDAY, FEB. 26, 1919. A PEACE MEMORIAL

AS will he seen by the report of tlie special meeting of the Borough Council held on Monday night a proposal is shortly to be put before the residents of the town and district to celebrate the conclusion of the Great War by carrying out certain improvements of a permanent nature to the local Domain. The scheme is one that should appeal to town and country settlors alike. In the present Domain, the people have an ideal sports ground which with the expenditure of some labour could bo made equal to any in tbo Dominion. The portion known as the swamp is a natural amphitheatre with ample space for cricket and football grounds in the centre, with a fine motor cycle and sports track on the outside. The surrounding terraces according to an expert are capable of holding anything up to 100,000 people, and giving everyone a full view of the grounds. In the land that has been sot apart by the Crown for recreation purposes in Patea, the people of the town and district possess an asset, the value of which we are inclined to think, has never been properly appreciated, otherwise the laud would not have been allowed to remain in its natural state for so long. We sincerely hope that the public will take the matter up enthusiastically, and work so that the funds offered by the Government to assist in the work, will not be allowed to go begging. There is one point with regard to the Peace Celebrations as distinct from the Peace Memorial that we trust will be borne in mind. In the rejoicings that are due to Lake place when peace is finally signed, wo hope that any proposal in the direction of incurring unnecessary expenditure will be at once vetoed. Just now the call for funds for necessary work such as assisting returned ••■'ldlers, croctingpermanont memorials of the war and other work is so urgent that any expenditure on worthless things such as fireworks for example, would be almost criminal. When peace celebrations are being held, let the children have a full day’s pleasure with a feast that they will remember, but let there be no expenditure on things that end in smoke. If this policy is pursued, there should bo ample funds to enable the children to have a memorable time and then any surplus could be added to the fund for the permanent memorial in the shape of an improved Domain and sports ground which will last for all time.