RAETIHI CENTENNIAL MEMORIAL

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 143, 20 June 1939, Page 10

RAETIHI CENTENNIAL MEMORIAL

QUEEN ( ARNIVAL PROJECT (Own Correspondent). RAETIHI. June 17. Al the meeting of town delegates held on Thursday evening to appoint a queen to contest the proposed carnival to raise funds for the Raetihi Centennial Memorial, ihe only delegates to attend were Mrs. W. J. Feltham (Plunket Society), Mrs. W. H. Sandford (Croquet Club), Mr. J. W. Harris (Catholic Church), Mr. J. A. Mcßride (Waimarino Golf Club and Raetihi Tennis Club), Mr. S. A. Sims (Raetihi School), Rev. M. L. Underhill (Anglican Church), Mr. J. Taiaroa (Maori race). Mr W. H. Sandford presided and Mr. Jas. Aird, secretary of the Centennial Memorial Committee was also present. Invitations had been issued to about 25 delegates. With one exception, each of the delegates explained that the body represented had been approached and that those bodies could not see their way clear to lend any financial aid, or undertake to support a queen. The clubs and associations represented were constrained to adopt the attitude that charity began at home. The majority of delegates also pointed out that they were representing organisations which had both town and country members. It was accordingly impracticable for such organisations to promise support, to a town queen. Mr. Taiaroa intimated that the Maori race could not see their way clear to select and support, a Maori queen as had been suggested, but they would support the pakeha queens in accordance with their town or country Interests. In view of the position as disclosed, it was finally decided to call a meeting for next Wednesday evening (June 21). at which all those interested in selecting and supporting the

candidateure of a town queen will be asked to attend. i In a survey of Ihe position of the rest room project to date. Mr. Sandford said that about £lOO had already been donated and a further £3O had been promised. Permission had been obtained to conduct an art union for ! prizes of £25 and the prize money had ; already been collected. Five thousI and one shilling tickets were being | printed and the art union would com- ! mence in a few days. ! In order to obtain the Government i subsidy the proposal required to be financially practicable by the end of September. All the money required to build the memorial had to be in hand by that date.