MIDHIRST TOWN HALL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVII, Issue 26, 1 October 1913, Page 4

MIDHIRST TOWN HALL.

Some years ago the settlors in the Midhirst district raised a certain sum of money by public subscription for the purpose of erecting a Public Hall, the need of such a building being much felt at the time. By arrangement with the then local authorities a substantial and commodious building was erected on a portion of the Cemetery Reserve, and wo believe that for some years the hall fund ivas administered by the Manganui Road Board. In the fullness of time, when it was agreed that the Manganui Road District be merged into the Stratford County, the control of the hall was, by arrangement, tqken over by tlie Midhirst Cemetery Trust. The position, roughly, is that there is. a debt of £l3O still existing, on The hall, interest on which at present has..to be found out of County, .funds,, The matter came up for discussion at a meeting of< the Cemetery Board held yesterday; at which a resolution was passed asking the; 1 Stratford- County Council to take over the hall. We understand that the feeling of the Council is against this action, as they do not desire to be further burdened with a purely local matter of this sort, and t!i#ro is every probability that if the settlers themselves were to make ;1 sfAtfe- effort to raise the £l3O required to pay off the overdraft (and this might be done by way cf mortgage on the building itself) the Council would bo favorably disposed in the matter. ■So far as the’ settlers are concerned, a Board of Trustees could be set up, and they would have a useful and valuable asset. If'nothing can be done, however, there is always the possibility that the County Council may act within its rights, and, desiring to be rid of the liability, put the hall up to I public auction and dispose of it, devoting the whole of the proceeds to repayment of the overdraft and accrued interest. We think, however, that if the settlers of the’ district are wise, they will not invite such a step, but will make an effort on their own behalf.