“THE DUG-OUT.”

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 62, Issue 8, 21 October 1941, Page 4

“THE DUG-OUT.”

A REQUEST FOR PAYMENT. RATE REDUCTION OR REMOVAL. Built by the Ashburton Borough Council staff recently for the use of local organisations conducting street appeals for patriotic purposes, the structure placed on an empty section in East Street and known as “The Dug-out,” is to be removed unless payment for its use is made. At the meeting of the Council last evenfhg, a letter was received from Messrs J. T. Thom ns and Co., owners of the section ,stating that it had been intended to use the section as a private parking-place for motor-cars, but this could not be carried out while the structure remained. If a reduction of the rates on the section, equal to the expected fees from parking, were granted, the company would permit the structure to remain. The Mayor (Dr. J. Connor) said it was a question of removing the building or paying for its retention. The Town Clerk (Mr R. C. Major) said he had asked the company what it anticipated the fees from parking would amount to, but he could not arrive at a definite figure. In any case, it would he a dangerous principle for the Council to start allowing reductions in Tates.

Mr H. G. Ferrier suggested that the company should be asked if it would allow the structure to remain, provided all the organisations that used it paid a small fee to the.company.

After discussion it was decided to make an offer of £2 10s a year to the company for the retention of the building.