COMMUNITY EFFORT REQUIRED

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 89, Issue 168, 18 July 1945, Page 4

COMMUNITY EFFORT REQUIRED

W/ANGANI'J has for many years lacked a hall capable ol' accommodating the thousand or more patrons who might be at traded to such a social event as a patriotic ball, a charity bazaar or any other community enterprise of a similar character. The need has become more evident as certain public halls have been withdrawn from such uses through lacking adequate safety facilities or through being required for commercial purposes. Up wards of half a century ago the Drill Hall was frequently used for the annual ball staged by various volunteer military units, as woll as for organised bazaars. It has long outlived its usefulness in this direction and has never been equipped with the essential facilities. The day has arrived for the community to plan for the building which will fill the clamant, need. A couple of years ago the Wanganui Highland Pipe Band planned and sponsored the building of a-lm.ll which would meet all requirements anil would stand as a memorial to the many Scottish pioneer families in the district. Despite preoccupation with wai affairs. i ; sponsors have kept the project steadily in view, and the support .-’.-corded the venture has already enabled the executive Io build up a fund which exceeds £2OOO. But building costs have just, as steadily mounted, and to-day such a hall would probably lequiro ten times that amount. This organisation may not, be dis mayed at what appears to some to bo a tremendous financial hurdle, bul the time would appear ripe, for an appeal to other organisa lions which, appreciating the need of a community hall, would bi prepared to aid the enterprise. The Horticultural Sdeiety has pointed the way. Before such an appeal could be made it would bo wise to hold a conference with such interested bodies so that de tails of the proposed building could lie fully discussed and plans Im the financing of the project could bo formulated. The wider the interest awakened in the project, the better chance there would In of bringing the scheme to fruition. Al the same time co-operatio would insure that the expansion plans of other organisations could be co-ordinated with the community hall project. The suggestion is offered with the hope that Wanganui citizens will be inspired to a commiinity effort, which will bring the city a social centre worthy of its importance.