CENTENNIAL MEMORIAL CHOSEN

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLVI, Issue 21323, 18 April 1939, Page 5

CENTENNIAL MEMORIAL CHOSEN

Women’s Community

Centre

Schemes Before Council

Early Start Expected

The Centennial Memorial for Timaru is to be a women’s community centre which is to be erected on borough property in George Street. This decision was made by the Timaru Borough Council at a special meeting last night, when three schemes which had been submitted by a special committee were forwarded for consideration. The sponsors of the schemes were in attendance, and after they

had been heard by the Council the women’s community centre was decided on without opposition. There were present: The Max or (Mr W. G. Tweedy), Crs. M. H. Richards, F. B. Hawkey, P. B. Foote, H. J. Mathers, W. H. Hall and J. S. Satterthwaite. Apologies for absence were teceived from Crs. A. S. Kinsman, Searle D. Mason and J. R. Hart.

The Mayor said that they had reached a stage when there was no reason why a decision should not be made. Several other local bodies in New Zealand had decided on their memorials and unless something untoward happened Timaru should also be in a position to do so. Mr Tweedy reviewed what had been done in the matter as a result of preliminary meetings. He said that it was originally suggested that there might be a joint South Canterbury memorial. The local bodies in the various districts were communicated with and it was ascertained that they preferred individual effort. As a result Timaru had gone ahead on its own. The committee that had been set up had submitted the followinf schemes for the consideration of the Council:— Women’s Community Centra, Museum and Art G.dlery.

Tepid Baths. Selected Proposal Submitted

"As a centennial memorial for Timaru and the Levels County I am pleased to put before you the proposal for a Women’s Community Centre, an amenity that Timaru and South Canterbury is much in need of. Indeed Timaru is much behind other smaller centres, and I am sure none will dispute its necessity.” said Cr. Hall. It had been said, and correspondents in "The Timaru Herald” had written, that it was a necessary adjunct to the town, and should have been provided for out of rates before this, but the only chance he could see of securing the building for the women of South Canterbury was to put it forward as a centennial memorial, and to secure the subsidy. To those who said, why spend anything in these difficult times on memorials, he answered that it was a civic duty, when the Government was going to subsidise centennial memorials, that Timaru saw that it received its full share. The money was provided by the taxpayers, and if they neglected the opportunity to obtain a fuL share then they were in effect giving their share of the fund as a gift to more enterprising districts. "This building will be the centre and meeting place for the wives and mothers, our best and most valuable citizens. It will provide on the ground floor for the Plunket Society to start the mothers and baoies off in the right way of life, and to-day, with wais and rumours of wars, how necessary and valuable every baby will be to help hold this great heritage for the British race,” said Mr Hall. "This thinly peopled land must devote every care to the mothers and young children, they are our only hope, a- ’ the Plunket Society will start them right cn a healthy and, therefore, happy life.” On the ground floor there would be a creche and playroom foi young children. where country and town mothers could leave their children while attending to business. When established and properly known, that would be a great boon to mothers and much used by them. For fine weather sand pits and play areas will be in the sun outside at the back. There would be a large lounge room for women to rest and meet friends in. and all necessary retiring rooms in the basement. On the top floor there would be a room for meetings of women’s organisations, to seat more than 100, with kitchen, etc. Living rooms for the caretaker would also be on the top floor. There would be sufficient income from the tenants and users to fully pay the expenses of running the centre so t-'.at the Council would be free of any expense in future The building would h .ve an attractive appearance, and the grounds would be laid out with grass and flower beds.

Whole Site to be Used

Cr. Hall suggested that the present out-of-date borer eaten building be pulled down and the whole site devoted to the community centre, which, he was assured by the curator, could then be beautified by planting with suitable trees and shrubs and given a very attractive appear;.nee. To obtain the subsidy the memorial must be paid for in the one year. No subsidy would be allowed if it was financed by loan, so he was proposing that the Council for the one year raise an extra rate sufficient to pay for the work, just as it did for th? clock tower. He had spoken to Mr fl. B. Garrick, chairman of the Levels County Council, and he knew that the proposal had his support, and he was sure that Timaru would have the support of the Levels County in so valuable, necessary and fitting a memorial of New Zealand’s first 100 years of colonisation. The land provided is valued by the Government at £3533, and the building was estimated to cost £4500. The subsidy on the land and building would be £2OOB, while a rate of three-eighths of a penny would provide £2508. The Levels County Council might provide say £492 and the Council £2OOO. Mr Hall mentioned that in several parts of New Zealand it had been decided to erect women’s community centres as memorials, and he submitted the proposal with confidence. Timaru

would then in a practical manner show its remembrance of the pioneer women of South Canterbury and its apreciation of the waves and mothers of to-day. "There are many desirable and deserving schemes for centennial memorials, but none that have such outstanding merit as this proposal. It gives a worthy and necessary service to the community, has the support of all the women’s organisations, and I have not met a man who has not said that some such building is badly needed; it carries the maximum subsidy and will pa. handsome dividends in better health of the women and children. I strongly commend this proposal to the Council and promise them they will have th. solid sunoort

of the citizens behind them in carrying out this scheme as a centemaal memorial.” said Cr. Hall.

"Do you feel you can speak for the Levels County Council?” asked the Mayor. Mr Hall: I am sure that Levels will give us something. If they give us only £1 we will secure the Government subsidy on the Levels population which is more than 4000. In reply to Cr Richards. Cr Hall said that the present site of the Ladies’ Rest would not be sufficiently large to provide for the suggested new building Museum and Art Gallery In advancing the claims of an historical museum and art gallery as a suitable centennial memorial, Mr P. W. Rule quoted an extract from “The New Zealand Centennial News," in which a reviewer submitted the following formula for those who were discussing such memorials:—“Will the memorial be inspirational in the view of local folk as well as visitors from other parts of New Zealand and countries overseas? Will it create an impression that the planners looked forward as well as backward? Will it help in making a national sense of country? Will the memorial be regarded as a real asset to the district?" “With these words in mind, I sponsor with more confidence, the suggestion that our local centennial should take the form of an historical museum and art gallery,” said Mr Rule. The suggestion was made as far back as June of last year, and in Setptember a public letter on the subject appeared in “The Timaru Herald.” He considered that the proposal more nearly filled the requirements he had quoted than any other. He felt that it was the duty of the present generation to collect and care for the records of the past 100 years of New Zealand’s history, before the records were lost, and irretrievably lost, for ever. Dunedin had shown what could be done. In the Early Settler's Museum in Dunedin there was a magnificent collection of records and portraits and photographs, and a general collection of objects associated with the early days. It was not generally appreciated that early records and photographs were of considerable value in later years. He mentioned that the late Mr Wm. Ferrier had a vast collection of glass photographic plates comprising a splendid collection of

views of Timaru in the pioneer days, which had belonged to an earlier photographic business. These were all dumped at the rubbish tip by a subsequent owner of the business who had failed to appreciate their value. If these plates had not been destroyed a unique collection of photographs would have been available for the benefit of future generations.

Art Gallery Needed

“In addition to an historical museum where the records of the past could be cared for and displayed, Timaru needs a small art gallery," continued Mr Rule. "We already have a nucleus of what could be a splendid collection of paintings, but these pictures are scattered round the various rooms in the Municipal buildings because there is no real gallery for them. Many are stored away in the cellar.” He had prepared a sketch plan, to show what could be done. The first part would comprise a vestibule leading into a central historical museum, and on either side would be two small galleries for pictures and other works of art. An office and a cloakroom off the front vestibule would complete the first section which could be erected as the New Zealand Centennial Memorial. In a few years additional galleries could be added as the South Canterbury Centennial Memorial, so that ultimately the completed scheme would

be a centennial memorial. That form i of memorial would be a cultural j amenity to be used freely by every ; citizen of the town, both men and ( women, not only by one class of citizen. ; The probable cost would be about 1 £5OOO for the first portion, and later ■ the whole building could be completed for about another £5OOO. It could be built on Maori Park. Case For Tepid Baths The case for tepid salt-water baths was outlined by Mr A. H. Wyatt, a member of the South Canterbury Swimming Centre, who apologised for the absence of the president (Mr H. H. Fraser). It was considered by all sports bodies and a large section of the community that tepid baths would be a suitable memorial to commemorate the founding of the country and a tribute to the pioneers of the district, Mr Wyatt said. The organisation he represented approved of the Women’s Community Centre but considered that it was a necessity which should be built by the Borough Council out of revenue in the usual way. They did not consider it would be a suitable national memorial. “We feel that Timaru has to go for- . ward, must keep abrest of the times, if our town is to maintain its position as one of the leading health and holiday resorts of the Dominion.” said Mr Wyatt. Tepid baths would be one of the best attractions that the town could possess in that direction. There was a national movement to-day towards physical fitness and also the learn-to-swim campaign which necessitated the provision of bathing facilities. The bathing season in Timaru was very short and tepid baths would give a greater opportunit: ' > carry out those ideals. Swimming was recognised to be the best form of exercise for physical development of both sexes. That that fact was admitted and realised, was proved by Christchurch, Ashburton and other smaller towns deciding to erect tepid baths as their centennial memorial. “We have assurances of support from many quarters towards the maintenance of these baths for five years,” he said. “If the Council -aides on tepid baths we suggest that it would lower the cost of mt intaining the bat s in Timaru if the present cold baths were put under the control of the school committees and swimming clubs in their respective districts.”

If Timaru had tepid salt water j baths, continued Mr Wyatt, they would be the only baths of that type ] in the South Island, and would be a | great asset from a health point of i view. Napier was patronised by a i large number of visitors who journeyed there for the sole purpose of using | the baths. Excurions were being con- ■ tinually run from Christchurch and ’■ surrounding districts to Timaru and ‘ the baths would be keenly sought throughout the year. Mr Wyatt emphasised that with tepid baths available all sections of the community would benefit in health. A fine building witn suitable seating and dressing accommodation, a standard Olympic pool, up-to-date purifying and aerating machinery, and infrared lamp for sun-bathing and hot and cold salt and fresh-water showers, would provide a memorial which could be used and appreciated by all. In renly to Cr Mathers, Mr Wyatt said that the Centre had no direct information regarding cost, but it was estimated that they would cost £25,000. The Mayor quoted information from ■other centres which had tepid baths and said that it was fairly obvious that there would be an annual loss on the baths. The commitments of the Borough were already too heavy to provide a large sum for tepid baths, said Cr Richards. Motion Presented The following motion was moved by Cr Hall and seconded by Cr Mathers: "That the women s community centre proposal be adopted as the centennial memorial for Timaru and Levels, the

proposed plan to be submitted to the different women's organisations interested and the final plan to be approved by the Councils.”

"We would all like to see tepid saltwater baths if the loss is not going to be too great, but I am afraid there would be a considerable annual loss,” said Cr Hall. The baths would have to be built by a loan and as a centennial memorial would be out of court as no subsidy would be available. In seconding the motion Cr Mathers said that there were only two schemes the finance for which could reasonably be met by the community. The community centre was a necessity in the town and a great amenity for the people of South Canterbury. The finance could be met with ease.

More Information Wanted

Cr Foote said he had been impressed with Cr Hall’s advocacy of the scheme, and while he supported it it seemed to him a little early to adopt it. In his opinion the Council should know the facts definitely before it committed itself. There was some uncertainty as to whether the value of the land could be taken into account for the purposes of subsidy, and that point should be made clear. The second uncertain point was the revenue to be received from the building. Cr Hall had said that there would be no cost to the Council for upkeep, and while that might be so it would be just as well for the Town Clerk to look into the figures and make sure. The third uncertainty was the participation of Levels County and what financial assistance was likely to be available from that quarter.

Although the Council might favour the scheme it should not be adopted until all the points were cleared up. He moved an amendment that the Council approve the scheme but that the final decision be made after further information had been secured.

The amendment was seconded by Cr Richards.

“If we find that the thing is not workable we can rescind my resolution at a later meeting,” said Cr Hall. “I am fairly sure, however, that there will be no need to do that.” Cr Foote: I want to make it clear that I am not acting in opposition to Cr Hall’s proposal. I merely want to know what lam voting on. Cash and revenue have to be considered. If they did not I would be voting for tepid baths to-night. Cr Hall agreed that it was desirable to have all information but he did not want to see the matter delayed. The Mayor agreed tt.at all information should be available. It was necessary, however, that the matter be expedited. Cr. Satterthwaite expressed the opinion that the Council should not lay undue stress on tn? revenue side of the memorial, as what other memorial erected in Timaru produced revenue? The three memorials, he said, were all worthy of consideration, but he favoured the Community centre which would vastly improve the existing area and w ich had many possibilities from the point of view of beautification Other Schemes Later The Mayor explained that he was very anxious that Timaru should have tepid baths, and he hoped that within a reasonable time they might see them on Caroline Bay. He felt, hov ever, that the cost was beyond what the Borough could entertain at the moment, as there was no doubt that the running costs would result in a deficit of hundreds of pounds a year. If the Counci' endorsed the proposal it would have to go to the Local Loans Board and the ratepayers, and in view of the difficulties experienced by local bodies in raising loans at present, he doubted whether there would oe much chance of obtaining th. money. He was keenly interested also in the art gallery and museum proposal and was anxious that Timaru should have one at the appropriate ime. The loan indebtedness of the borough would be considerably lightened during the next 10 years, and it was his feeling that when the centennial of South Canterbury arrived it might oe possible to I embark on the scheme. Unless an I effort was made to collect some of the ' historical records of the district they ■ might be lost to South Canterbury for ever.

■ “In the meantime I propose to sup- | port the Women’s Comr unity Centre,” I continued the Mayor. “I feel that it ' could quite properly be viewed as a 1 tribute to ’he pioneer women of South Canterbury. There would, said the Mayor, be general approval oi the scheme which would provide a build- , ing to cater for the general needs of all women who visited Timaru. There ■; would be no chance ol the Council embarking on the project unless the subsidy was available. Cr. Hall’s motion was carried, the voting being:— For Crs. Hall. Satterthwaite.

, Mathers and Hawkey. Against—The Mayor and Crs. Foote and Richards.

it was decided to obtain the ii.formation as suggested by Cr. Foote. The Mayor and Crs Foote and Hall were appointed a deputation to wait ■m the Levels County Council to place the proposal before it as worthy of its support and assistance

Cr. Mathers was appointed the Council’s representati 'e to any . jn-

ference of local bodies that might be calie 1 to discuss means of conserving j the native bush on ’■ .e property of Major P. H. Johnson at Raincliff. lor | the district.