MY DAY TO GROWL

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 71, Issue 6136, 14 September 1945, Page 5

MY DAY TO GROWL

about this and that LIFE’S VICISSITUDES —AND ITS PLEASANTRIES (By A. Growler) My first growl this week is really in the nature of a plea, and that is for a practical demonstration of interest in Te Awamutu Municipal Orchestra. That body of musicians is to give a recital in the Town Hall on Sunday afternoon, really as a test whether the townspeople are siSr \htly interested in the Orchestra’s work to warrant the continued existence of the Orchestra. Since its formation, the Orchestra has been ever ready to respond to every call made on it; it has played at welcomes home, civic functions, and church services, and has been a welcome visitor to Waikeria and Tokanui. On several occasions the Orchestra has given concerts in Te Awamutu, but attendance of the public has not been particularly large. It seems that the Orchestra is something like servicemen—very handy to have around the place when its services are needed, but apt to be easily overlooked and forgotten when those periods are past. I recall on one occasion when, owing to lack of sufficient notice, the Orchestra did not appear at a welcome home, there were many indignant and regretful expressions voiced. Te Awamutu is fortunate in having an Orchestra such as exists at the moment. There are few towns that have such a fine combination of musicians, and it will be a thousand pities if it goes out of existence through lack of encouragement. It is no use for members of the Orchestra to spend night after night in practice if there is no opportunity to give public expression of that practice. Surely there are sufficient music lovers in Te Awamutu and district to fill the Town Hall on Sunday and thus let the Orchestra know that it is appreciated and, still more, that it is really wanted.

I was very pleased to see Mr L. S. Armstrong making a move to get the present restriction on the hire of the local Town Hall lifted in part. Doubtless, like war-time regulations, the restriction was necessary, but the occasion for it is* past. I cannot, with all due respect, agree with the Mayor that outside people should not be allowed to come to Te Awamutu to give enteratinments and dances, even if such does entail the taking of money out of the town. W'p are insular enough in Te Awamutu now, goodness knows, without isolating ourselves still further. I believe that the Hamilton branch of the Y.W.C.A., a world-wide organisation, made inquiry as to hiring the Hall in order to stage a show in aid of its funds, and was told—and under the existing regulations rightly so that the usual fee would be charged, plus half the door takings, which was equivalent to a polite refusal of the use of the Hall. The Y.W.C.A. caters for all women, and the Hamilton branch is no exception, so that that body should be encouraged in every way possible. We get little enough entertainment in Te Awamutu as it is. There are still complaints about the activities of what are termed “ hoodlums,’ 7 but what have we as a community done to offer any healthy outlet for youthful spirits. I do not excuse wanton destruction of other people’s property, but I do say that we as a people have failed miserably to provide any avenue of healthful recreation for youth in this town. It would be far better to see the young people dancing in /the Towii Hall every night, free of charge and under proper supervision, than to think that they were indulging in questionable parties in Albert Park—as is alleged they do. It is no use bemoaning the existence of such practices unless we can offer something in their place. Money is all very well, but it is not everything. A contented, active community in pleasure as well as in work should be our aim. I trust that tfle Borough Council will rescind the resolution now on its books and allow a greater and freer use of the Town Hall.

I was very interested to read of the discussion at the Chamber of Commerce meeting on the question of board and housing in Te Awamutu. In regard to the former I feel that the members who spoke so freely were not fully seized of the situation. They have, without exception, left their own boarding days long behind them and have, I presume, comfortable homes of their own. I hold no particular brief for boarding-house proprietors, but I am in a position to speak authoritatively of some of the problems with which they are faced. Not only is there the question of rationing, and also that of suitable labour, but they are faced with the high cost of living—more so than the private housewife. Like every member of the Chamber of Commerce, they are in business to make money out of that business. To say that 25s 6d a week for bed and breakfast is excessive is nonsense, and 1 venture to say that no private person would take in boarders on that condition and at that rate. In Hamilton bed and breakfast cost £2 2s a week. I know for a fact that at least one proprietor of a private hotel in this town spares no effort to cater for those who seek accommodation, and shakedowns are provided sooner than turp-way would-be seekers of temporary lodging. Boarders generally, not only in boarding houses but in licensed hotels, have often themselves to blame. Again I speak with knowledge, for I was for six years engaged in a licensed hotel, and my duties were confined exclusively to looking after the guests. Some boarders no sooner get into a lodgingplace than they adopt tactics that make one wonder who is the owner of the place—the lodger or the proprietor. The position is acute in regard to board, but I fail to see that any criticism, such as, offered at the Chamber of Commerce meeting, is likely to result in an improvement. It will be very interesting to see how many private home owners (even those with plenty of room) will offer full board to those who are seeking it. Referring to housing, that is not

only a Te Awamutu problem, but a world-wide one. It can be said to’ the credit of the Labour Government that it has at least erected quite a number of houses. However, I am not going to become entangled in. an argument on that subject; the problem is one that has engaged, and still •is engaging, keener brains than mine. Some mention has been made of transit camps. Cambridge Borough Council is providing such an amenity for returned soldiers, and that Council i§ congratulated on a very practical approach to an urgent problem. There is plenty of talk about housing, but precious little action. It is, however, safe to say that the example set by Cambridge could be followed with profit by Te Awamutu. So the master butchers have joined the select band of miners, and no longer will they be able to fulminate against the hewers of coal for going on strike. So far the butchers have failed to make out a case for a subsidy. The fact that they are prepare to pay—and do pay—such huge prices for beef is entirely a matter for themselves. On one hand we find private enterprise screaming out against to much Government interference and on the other hand private enterprise asking for Government assistance. It is not very consistent, to say the least.