TE AWAMUTU COURIER Printed on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays MONDAY, 17th JUNE, 1946 CIVIC AMENITIES

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 72, Issue 6243, 17 June 1946, Page 4

TE AWAMUTU COURIER Printed on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays MONDAY, 17th JUNE, 1946 CIVIC AMENITIES

IT was a happy suggestion that gave rise to an impromptu discussion during the Rotary Club luncheon last Tuesday about the amenities and the future progress of Te Awamutu. But the discussion must go further and cause an awakening interest in every household before any worth-while practical result may be expected, for in the question raised very much is implied and vastly more is involved. The planning of amenities is never an easy task as so many considerations arise. So also is it difficult to correctly assert what really is the public interest. There have been many discussions in the past, and there has been a long period of inaction. Just where and how to begin again now with not only the progressive demands that are arising, as well as the rectifying of accumulations of neglect that were piled up during the years of war conditions, is the cause of much confusion of thought. The Rotarians centred their attention on the property newly acquired and available for public purpose. But beyond that there are avenues which must be explored. The property in question is well suited for a civic centre, but in the wider scheme of community centre planning there are numerous features. Nevertheless, a good start could be made in a civic centre for the accommodation and better organisation of administrative public life- Within such a programme could be featured the public administrative offices, the museum, the library, and the council chambers, with an attendant assembly room for administrative organisations which have to do with the many phases of public welfare. And there could also be a sufficient area set aside, as Rotary contemplates, for the exclusive use of women’s organisations as a first instalment of the community centre plan. In any case, whatever the outcome may be, the discussion has revived interest in a question which merits and must receive attention. The idea of some wider conference to enlist the opinion nf other organisations is wise, for it can be remembered that the Borough •”'cil i s charged with the adminis-i‘-n of the public interest, and in ages of developmental progress Council can be aided by the marled opinion of an organised citi- ' -.ship. And in this matter it is the

expression of opinion from a wider area of town and country which 'lakes up the community of interest to be served and advanced in Te Awamutu that will guide the Council in the framing and carrying through of a policy and a works programme.