SPIRIT OF ROTARY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 85, Issue 292, 11 December 1941, Page 4

SPIRIT OF ROTARY

-COMMUNITY EVENING" IN WANGANUI REI’RESENTATIY E GATHERING With the of gathering together male executive members of various Wanganui organisations performing community se;\i.r for the city, either publicly or privately, the Wanganui Rotary Club sponsored a “community evening” in the Savage Cluo Hall last night. Meny lepresentatives of Wanganui organisations attended and gave brief outlines of the work b?ing earned out by the major bodies. The president of the Wanganui Rotary Club. Mr. G- N Boulton, presided, and a limit of three minutes was plac ed on each speaker. During the evening a colour him of Virginia I-ake was screened by Mr. L F Row. city engineer. Welcoming the visitors, Mr. Boulton said he was pleased to see such a representative gathering of people who were doing community work in Wanganui, and also Rotary Club members.

The object of the gatheiing was to pul into practical effect one of the four main objects of Rotary—the promotion of community servav. Mr. Boulton added, "in other words, our object is to advance this community spirit in the city m which ut * are living.” he said. The Rotary Club tried to give service and was proud of what its members w«-ie accomplishing. Rotarians were found taking a leading part in the administration of most organisations in Wanganui, but Rotary itself was a representative body and it must not oe thought that the object of this movement was to dominate other organisations. Rotary also endeavoured to help other bodies with a worthy cause, and though financial assistance was not possible. except in special circummembers of the club usually got behind other movements and helped with community service. “We are pleased at the progress made tn Wanganui by other organisations interested in the welfare of the city and we thank tnem for the good work they are doing.*’ said Mr. Boulton. “If we all pull together and show our loyalty and pride in tne city, Wanganui will hold its own with any large city in the Dominion." There was a regrettable tendency for people to be selfish because some organisation na i a policy with which they did not agree. Such people might act in a way which was not in the be>t interests of the city- a most untortunat>* attitude to adopt.

Proposing the toast. “Wanganui City,” Mt- Boukoii said Wanganui was a wonderful city with many advantages and splendid civic amenities. Wanganui also had a live C«ly Council. and with so many enthusiastic oiganisations should hold its own as a city.

t hans you fur the happy thoughts which inspired this gathering, and the .sincerity with which you hunouitd the toast of “Wanganui City,’’ said the Mayor. Hon. W J. Rogers. M L.C. tesponding. He agreed that Wanganui had many cultuial advantages and the work of the Rotary Club and other organisations giving c’mmun ty service was giealiy appreciated. He haa watched the glow th of Rctaiy and agreed with its philosophy. Mt Rogers also refeired to the work of the City Council, and said that he believed that councillors, whatever their individual views might oe, were actuated by the desire to •io their in the interests of their fellow citizens. A typical example of what could be achieved through cooperat. »n m Wanganui was the splendid result achieved when the Centennial celebrations vveie held last year.

Other speakers and the organisations they lepresenled were; Mi. A L. Rounlhwailr, Y.M.C.A.; Mr. A F A. Wouliams. Box Scouts; Mt. T- R. i.uti Castleciiff :suif Club, Mr. A. RDonaldson, Health Camp; Mi. B. R. Dobbs, Crippled Children Society, Mr. F. H Bethwaite. Chamber of Commerce. Mr. T. Grant. Alexandei Museum. Mr. R. G falboyj. Returned Services Association Mr. C- S. Brown. Wanganui musical ciicles, Mt E Lind, Savage Club, Mr. A. Larsen Home Guaid; Mi. G E. Bennett Tourist. Publicity and Development Committee. Mr. Appleton, Stale Placement Sendee.