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“$100,000 Target in Sight – But What of $200,000 More?"

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Description: These images were taken for the August 6th, 1978 edition of the Tribune weekly newspaper, the first of which was published.

The caption read: “Barry Buckley hard at work on the outside of the house which is being built to aid the sports and recreation centre appeal.”

An extract from the article read: “Pahiatua has raised about $70,000 towards a target of $100,000 - its contribution to a new sports and recreation centre for the district. The centre is estimated to cost around $300,000. The fund-raising committee is hoping to get the rest from loans and Government assistance. However, the committee chairman, Mr Hewin Williams told the ‘Tribune’ that the Government's reaction to appeals for aid so far has been disappointing. The committee hopes to his get $100,000 from the Government, but its initial approach has failed to get any offer at all. The committee is still trying ‘we'd even be happy with $50,000’, but in the meantime is pressing ahead with various fund-raising projects so that the local share of the finance can be reached. While he's confident that the $100,000 target will be reached soon, Mr Williams isn't happy at the prospect of the district having to raise a loan of $200,000 to pay for the rest: ‘It's a fair expense for a small town like this we'd probably be paying off $20,000 in interest a year alone, without thinking about the principal’.”

“And while all this has been going on, the house being bult for the appeal steadily progressing. The house, in Wakeman Street, is due for completion in about 12 weeks. It will then be opened to the public for inspection, funds from which will be used to boost the appeal. The house will then be sold with profits going to the appeal. Construction started in May, with much of the materials, and plenty of labour, being donated or made available at cost price. ‘The assistance of the trades people has been tremendous.’ The house is built of split stone, is of unusual design, and set in established trees on an attractive section. "It's going to be quite impressive.”

These images form part of the Manawatū Evening Standard Negative Collection. Unfortunately, only negatives between April and December 1978 are held.