CITY PROPOSALS FOR WAR MEMORIAL TO BE DISCUSSED TONIGHT

Wanganui Chronicle, 7 September 1950, Page 2

CITY PROPOSALS FOR WAR MEMORIAL TO BE DISCUSSED TONIGHT

Suggestions which have been made as to the form Wanganui's war memorial should take will be discussed al a meeting in the City Council Chambers tonight which will be presided over by the Mayor, the Hon. W. JRogers, M.I.C. City Councilors, representatives of organisations which have made proposals, and also individual people who have put forward ideas, will attend the meeting. The Town Clerk, Mr. C. R. White, said yesterday that these discussions would be of a preliminary nature and would probably lead to a public meeting to be held later. The policy of the Government is to subsidise any approved war memorial scheme, but it is necessary that such a scheme should embrace the features of a community centre. Some time ago the City Council, acting on a recommendation by its Tourist, Publicity and Development Committee, invited suggestions from local organisations and others as the form which, in their opinion, the war memorial should take. As a result the following suggestions were received: — Mr Hector Christie.—The memorial should be of a utility nature and one calculated to contribute to the well-being of youth and the training of boys and girls in true citizenship. Wanganui Employers' Association.— Suggests that the city memorial should take the form a town hall. N.Z. Registered Nurses’ Association (Wangaui branch).—Suggests (a) a bridge of remembrance, and (b) a hostel for country children wishing to attend town schools. Wanganui Education Board.—Makes no specific proposal, but recorcmends that the memorial should be one which will improve the culture, physical and mental, or moral education of youth. Air Force Relations.—ldea of a monument unanimously rejected. Three suggestions offered: (a) a residential nursery; (b) a children's recreation centre; (c) something which will benefit the wives and children of serviceman. Wanganui District Patriotic Committee.—Suggests that the memorial should take the form of a town hall on the Durie Hill site, or vicinity, to conform with the regional planning scheme for a civic centre. Seventh Day Auventist Church. — Suggests (a) a memorial wing at the public hospital, or (b> a hostel tor returned ex-service personnel. Navy League, Wanganui branch.— City memorial hall on the Drill Hall site as part of the civic centre scheme. Wanganui Labour Representation Committee.—Suggests town hall as memorial, the design to be such that it might fittingly be described as a "Hall of Remembrance.’’ Wanganui Chamber of Commerce.— Considers the city war memorial shculc consist of a civic building containing office accommodation for all city council staff in addition to a large auditorium in which civic functions could be held; cost to be met by public donations; balance to be raised by debentures at a low rate of interest. Considers rents received would be sufficient to meet annual charges. Wanganui R.S.A.—Is of the opinion that the memorial should be a memorial in the true sense, but should not be financed by a charge on rates. Two proposals which could be embodied in one—(a) a suitable garden laid out on Queen's Park adjacent to the present war memorial; (b) that a Book of Remembrance be installed in the Sarjeant Gallery; (c) that both the above ideas be embodied in one and that a small chapel, housing a memorial book, be built, surrounded by a well-kept garden. The cost of erecting and installing a memorial book to be borne by the R.S.A. Wanganui Junior Chamber of Commerce.—Two suggestions (a) a civic block containing the amenities necessary to a city of Wangaui’s size; (b) a memorial bridge in place or the old Town Bridge. Mr. J. Humphrey.—Suggests a children’s hospital, suitably inscribed. E. J. T., 41 Seafront Road.—A marine parade at Castlccliff.

Wanganui Amateur Athletic and Cycling Club.—Suggests that a grandstand with suitable dressing rooms, gymnasium and social' rooms underneath, be erected on Cook's Gardens on the site of the present open seating accomodation, th? social rooms to be suitable for lectures on physical recreation.