SPORTS HALL

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 71, Issue 55, 14 December 1950, Page 4

SPORTS HALL

MODIFIED PLAN ADOPTED PREPARATIONS FOR APPEAL Further progress towards the realisation of the project of a Centennial sports hall for Ashburton was maae at a well-attended meeting of the Hall Committee held last evening. Modified plans submitted by me planning committee were adopted in principle, and arrangements were put in train for the use of the plans for publicity purposes. The Mayor (Mr E. C. Bathurst) presided. At the outset the chairman explained that Christchurch considered it would need the full £50,000 grant by the Government, and that at present it would be futile to press the request for a grant from. that fund in aid of the Ashburton proposal. • Mr L. H. Freeman reported that, in in interview with Mr R. G. Gerard, M.P., the member for Ashburton had suggested a direct appeal to the Minister of Internal Attairs, stating Ashburton’s case in full, and stressing that the project had both a physical welfare aspect and a Centennial aspect. The suggestion was to seek a £1 in £3 subsidy. Mr Freeman moved that in view of there being no reply from the Canterbury Centennial Committee, direct approach to the Minister be made for a subsidy on monies locally, and that Mr Gerard’s assistance in the matter be sought. In support of his motion the speaker pointed out that the sports hall project had first been launched as a Community Centre scheme, and at the time of its initiation it was entitled under the legislation then in force to a £ for £ subsidy. The motion was seconded by Mr G. H. Nicoll and carried.

Mr Nicoll reported on the proposal for the launching of a queen carnival effort in conjunction with a gymkhana, and in view of the difficulties found to be in the way of such a proposal an alternative was submitted for consideration by the queen carnival committee, namely, a carnival in the Ashburton Domain.

On the motion of Mr Freeman, Seconded by Mr J. Coffey, it was decided to write to the Ashburton Trotting Club asking for a matinee meeting at some convenient date.

Dr. Ryburn and Mr Freeman were appointed a deputation to wait on the committee of the Trotting Club to explain the help needed and to further the proposal. It was decided to approach the Hinds and Chertsey gymkhana committees explaining the hall committee’s plans and seeking a percentage of the proceeds of their next gymkhanas as a contribution to the hall scheme.

Mr Freeman reported that Mr Gerard had agreed to take up the cas§ with the Minister for the remission of stamp duty on gifts for, the hall fund ,and it was decided that the secretary (Mr A. Kelly) write putting the case fully before Mr Gerard for his assistance.

Plan Adopted

Mr K, Barker, for the planning committee, submitted modified hall plans, which he explained, stating that his committee believed they provided adequately for present sports needs and for future developments. On the motion of Messrs Nicoll and Freeman, the plan submitted was approyed in principle. The Publicity Committee reported that materials for a window display were under way, the display to be used in connection with the launching of the campaign for funds. The matter .of having constructed a scale model of the hall in accordance with the plan adopted was left in the hands of Messrs Bathurst and Freeman.

Mr Freeman also proposed that, a block of the plan be'prepared, and stated that tentative arrangements had been made for its publication, along with appropriate letterpress. On the motion of Messrs Coffey and R. Bullinger it was decided that a block be prepared. For the finance committee, Mr Nicoll reported that they would be meeting before Christmas and would have a report for the next meeting. Mr Nicoll further stated that the penfty barrel, opened for the first time that day, contained £4 6s 6d—18s in silver and the balance in copper.

The next meeting of the committee was fixed for January 24.