BOROUGH AMENITIES

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 72, Issue 6242, 14 June 1946, Page 4

BOROUGH AMENITIES

“DEPLORABLE STATE OF AFFAIRS” ROTARY CLUB DISCUSSION Rotary clubs the world over take a keen interest in civic affairs, and are enjoined by Rotary International to give solid and practical support to any movement which will improve the amenities of their town. When the president of the Te Awamutu Rotary Club (Mr A. J. Sinclair) suddenly invited a discussion on this aspect at the weekly luncheon of the club on Tuesday evening, several members were on their feet immediately, and the uroceedings were protracted about half an hour beyond the usual time. The construction of a new road to be known as Churchill Street (opposite the Regent Theatre) was commended as a most progressive move on the part of the borough. One member visualised the time when Te Awamutu would be several times its present size, and predicted that the area surrounding Churchill Street would be the main business centre of the town.

The president said he understood there would be a frontage of approximately 90 feet to Alexandra Street which would prove extremely valuable for shops and business premises, and that the section went back at full width for approximately the same distance, when it tapered off. The discussion became animated when he asked if members had any suggestions for utilising a section of the land to improve the amenities of the town in any way.

One member of the club said it was deplorable that a town the size of Te Awamutu should have so few amenities for its country shoppers.] He had in mind particularly the urgent need for a women’s rest-room. “We should be grateful that the farmers give us any business at all,” he said, “when we contrast Te Awamutu with towns such at Otorohanga, Matamata, and even a small suburb like Manurewa. I do not blame the Borough Council, I blame the ratepayers of this town for their shocking apathy in a matter of this kind. We appear to have no civic pride at all.” Other members warmly supported thigi point of view, and there was some laughter when one of them said he had been a member of the deputation which had waited on the Borough Council on this matter, and that they had received a most sympathetic hearing. “How long ago was that?” inquired the president. “It is just on eight years ago,” was the laconic response. - . ‘

The fact that the Women’s Division of the Farmers’ Union was actively interesting itself in the provision of a women’s rest-room was mentioned, but members considered this was a civic responsibility. Another member recalled the time when the Farmers’ Union had a club-room on the main street, but it was found impossible to keep the amenities in a cleanly condition. “It requires the constant supervision of a capable woman,” he added, “and why should this town expect that expense to be shouldered by any private organisation?” Finally the president nominated three members of the club to act as a committee to confer with the Chamber of Commerce, the Women’s Division of the Farmers’ Union, and any other bodies interested in this matter, so that a deputation could wait on the Borough Council at an early date.