CENTENNIAL PLANS

Waikato Independent, Volume XXXIX, Issue 3552, 11 May 1939, Page 5

CENTENNIAL PLANS

TWO SCHEMES APPROVED CAMBRIDGE COMMITTEES FORMED Two main schemes for the commemoration of the centennial ot New Zealand by the Cambridge district were approved by an executive committee appointed at a public meeting in the Council Chamber on Tuesday evening. It was decided that the proposed memorials be recommended to the South Auckland Zone Committee to go forward to the Dominion Council for the Government’s subsidy. The meeting approved the publication of a history of Cambridge, “Such Things Were,” which is being written by Mr C. W. Vennell, and when printed will be distributed free to school children in the district. The Mayor, Mr Edgar James, who presided, explained that the Borough Council has agreed to subscribe £6O. Support has also been given by other local bodies.

The second scheme approved/was for the installation of a filtration plant at the municipal swimming baths, at a cost of £ISOO. The Borough Council has agreed to contribute £375 to the fund, provided that a further £750 can be raised in the district. This total will be entitled to a subsidy of £375. Local Committee Necessary The Mayor stated that it was necessary for a local centennial committee to be formed to forward recommendations for the subsidy to the South Auckland Zone Committee. He said that there was some urgency in the matter, as the period for making applications for the subsidy had almost expired. If the schemes were approved, the committee would have until November to raise the money. He did not think there would be an.y difficulty in securing subsidies for both pro-

jects. Mr James said he desired to dispel a wrong idea, which existed in some quarters, that the Borough Council would organise the centennial celebrations and handle funds. The council was not recognised in that capacity by the Dominion executive, he added. Executive Elected The executive committee appointed was as follows: The Mayor, Mr Edgar James, and Town Clerk, Mr Frank T. Ray, Mesdames E. E. Taylor, F. Kingsford,. W. Munroe, Miss G. L. Brann, Messrs A. A. Moore, A. N. Macky, R. Court, C. W. Vennell, T. Dagg, J. R. Haworth, J. G. Catran and V. G. Boulton. Mr James was elected chairman, and Mr Ray secretary. The meeting also appointed a large general committee, the members of which will arrange for the holding of fitting commemorative functions in Cambridge. The committee consists of Mesdames F. Kingsford, K. L. Wilkinson-, H. C. Tod, E. E. Taylor, R. S. Hanna, W. Munroe, I. Fairbrother, W. A. Fisher, A. W. Gane, I. Woodroffe, the presidents of the Women’s Institutes, Messrs Edgar James, Frank T. Ray, C. W. Vennell, W. McK. Jeffrey, R. Court, W. Wilkinson, A. A. Moore, T. E. Dagg, A. N. Macky, J. R. Haworth, J. Conder, V. G. Boulton, G. A. James, Clive Boyce, H. G. Foster, C. H. Priestley, K. Wilkinson, W. Moore, A. H. Nicoll, M, Wells, W. R. Garrard, N. R. Souter, W. Robinson, H. Watkins, C. Meredith, H. P. Hewitt, C. B. McNatty, P. Andrew, T. H. Hampshire, W. A. Fisher, J. W. Garland, J. Graham, G. M. Watt, S. Lewis, J. Bruce, C. La Trobe, W. N. Perry, W. Harbutt, Drs. H. C. Tod, J. Ritchie and L. F. Johnson, Ministers of Religion,-headmasters and chairmen of all school committees, and presidents of all sports bodies.

Other Schemes Discussed

It was stated that the centennial memorials would not necessarily be limited to the two schemes that had been approved. The committee would receive other -suggestions, and if suitable and brought forward in time, they would also be eligible for recommendation for the subsidy. Mr V. G. Boulton, secretary of the Rugby Union, said that hjis executive had felt that a grandstand should be erected on Victoria Square, not only for Rugby, but for use by all sporting bodies. He Stated that a sub-committee had been formed and a suggestion might be forthcoming. If the scheme were gone on with, the raising of funds would in no way clash with the activities of the Baths Committee, added Mr Boulton. He considered that the project

was worthy of the subsidy, but if that were not forthcoming, a modified scheme would probably be carried out.

The erection of a bronze plaque at the foot of the clock tower, putting on record the appreciation of the citizens of today for the work of the pioneers of the district, was suggested by Mr Vennell. He said that the cost would not be great. Before the meeting closed, the Mayor stated that he was sure that the interest would grow, and that strong sub-committees would be set up. A further meeting would be necessary to arrange for various branches of activity and the methods of raising finance.

LEAMINGTON DECISION BOOK PROJECT SUPPORTED The Leamington Town Board discussed the centennial celebrations at its meeting last evening. It was agreed that some scheme might be decided upon which would enable the Government subsidy to be secured. In the meantime, the board agreed to support the fund to provide each school child in the district with a copy of the history of Cambridge, “Such Things Were.” The amount of the allocation was left in the hands of the chairman, Mr J. W. Garland, to finalise.