CENTENNIAL PROPOSALS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 256, 28 October 1937, Page 9

CENTENNIAL PROPOSALS

MOUNT STEWART MEMORIAL SITE (From Our Own Correspondent) SANDON, Oct. 26. The committee set up by the Manawatu County Council to further the proposed memorial on Mount Stewart to the early pioneers in the Mana-' watu met at the Council Chambers today. The members of the committee present were Messrs J. H. Perrett (chairman), W. E. Pearce, W. J. Croucher and T. Collins (Mayor o* Feilding), A. K. Drew (secretary) ano H. V. Bond. The chairman stated that he had been invited to the last meeting of the Wellington Centennial Committee; dealing with the question of suitable centennial memorials. General suggestions had come forward including a coastal road to the Wairarapa ano a scenic road along the Tararuas with access paths to the bush. Mr A. E. Mansford had urged that a building be erected at Massey College foi teaching home science. These proposals, however, said Mr Perrett had not been favoured. It had been decided instead that the previous decision to limit the number of memorials to two only of general utility and significance be amended and that three be erected, one at Mount Stewart, one at Petone and another at Mount Victoria (Wellington). It was also decided to open a common fund to defray the cost of the memorials and that designs and estimates be prepared. A suggestion that the amount required for the memorials be raised by local bodies on a population basis, was approved, the local body in whose area the memorial was to be erected, to supply the design and estimate required. Mr T. Collins said the Manawatu Committee had to take up the Mount Stewart Memorial and submit designs and collect funds. The design should be decided on first and then the committee would know how to apportion the money required, amongst the various local bodies. The chairman agreed that a design and estimates was needed first. He had no scheme in mind personally but he thought £2OOO would be needed, including the Government subsidy of £5OO.

Mr Croucher thought more than £2OOO should be aimed at as organisation would have to be taken into account, while more important still was the question of maintenance. He thought sufficient should be raised to cover upkeep for many years ahead. Something like £3OOO should be aimed at.

The committee discussed what method should be -adopted in getting designs. It was thought that the memorial should not be too ornate, Mr Collins thinking that Mr Bond could be trusted to bring forward a design that would be acceptable. The chairman agreed, adding that p. memorial of rugged design might be appropriate seeing that the pioneers had to put up with rugged conditions.

Mr Collins suggested something in the nature of a rotunda while Mr Croucher favoured having the memorial set exactly over the present trig site so that it could serve survey purposes as well. Mr Drew said he had discussed that point with the Surveyor-General, who said his department would be pleasea to co-operate in any way necessary Mr Croucher urged the need for some sort of look-out at the top of the memorial and he still liked the idea of a beacon light.

Mr Drew said a flashing light would be seen from the South Island as well as from Ohakune in the North. Mr Croucher said there was also a desire for a tearoom at the spot. Mr Perrett said the light idea ap pealed to him very much and thought it should be incorporated in the design of the memorial.

Mr Croucher said he had an idea that the Defence Department might find a light on Mount Stewart serviceable in view of the aerodromes being constructed nearby. The committee decided to leave the matter of design in the hands ot Messrs Bond and Collins » to report upon. The chairman said that when the estimate was received, steps should bu. taken to call a public meeting embracing local bodies in the area. A vole of thanks was accorded Messrs Bond and Croucher for a plan and a brochure in connection with the Mount Stewart proposal.