MARKING THE CENTURY

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 58, Issue 4189, 26 May 1939, Page 5

MARKING THE CENTURY

WHAT FORM OF MEMORIAL ’ COUNTY COUNCIL DISCUSSION. Cr F. L. Onion, speaking at last Wednesday's meeting of the Waipa County Council on the subject of centennial memorials, advanced a plea for subsidising the reconstruction and renovation of country public halls, which were of almost general utility in each part of the county. He believed in the axiom of the greatest good for the greatest number. Cr G. S. Hall supported, and mentioned tree-planting and the erection of permanent and ornate gateways for the Hairini and Te Rahn halls. Cr G. S. Clarke thought some permanent memorial could be provided other than social hall improvement. The chairman (Cr S C. B. Macky) favoured providing a park or sports area where all could congregate for recreation purposes. Cr D- B. Livingstone was not favourable to a hall-renovation scheme. Cr J. T. Johnson said his conception of a centennial memorial was a meof a centennial memorial was a memorial marking the century just completed and one that would last through the next century. He commented that many suggested memorials would not meet that requirement. He favoured creating a domain, park, playing area, children’s playground, rest room, or the like, as more appropriate. He could recall several old memorials that had quite failed to meet his conception of a centennial memorial. He asked councillors to get away from the parochial view and concentrate on one memorial in a centre that was the community centre, and make it a worth-while memorial as a reminder throughout the next hundred years of those who lived in the century now closing and who had developed this lovely country. Cr Onion, replying, said he realised that Cr Johnson had visualised a much better and more expensive memorial, but he himself had thought the money contribution was severely restricted. Cr Clarke commended Cr Johnson for expressing such worthy ideas. Cr G. S. Hall thought the Government subsidy was obtainable for each district effort. He went on to say that the first school at Rangiaohia was established in or about the year 1840. It was a Roman Catholic school. Quite a number of the older settlers in that district would favour, and support, the creation of a memorial to mark the site of that school. The chairman mentioned that the Government was contributing £1 for every £3 raised locally, but any enterprise must be approved by the Zone Committee. He added that perhaps country school committees and hall committees could commemorate the centennial by planting a tree in their grounds; that would be inexpensive and lasting. A rimu tree, properly looked after, would be a beautiful memorial. But, said Mr Macky, the ideal enunciated by Cr Johnson was one that particularly appealed to him.