WINTER SHOW BUILDING MAY BE SOLD; DONATION TO WAR MEMORIAL

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 15, Issue 84, 18 August 1950, Page 5

WINTER SHOW BUILDING MAY BE SOLD; DONATION TO WAR MEMORIAL

Subject to a suitable price being tendered, the Bay of Plenty Winter Show Association is prepared to sell its building and donate the proceeds to a community centre war memorial fund—if the memorial takes the form of a building suitable and available for winter shows and if some other provisions are complied with. This was decided at a general meeting of the

association last night. The meeting arose from one of the executive at which it had been learnt that domains were eligible for subsidy as war memorials, said the chairman, Mr H. G. Warren. ,That being so, it was felt that there was a case that could be put to next week’s public meeting, which would be an asset to future generations and,a fitting memorial. For some years, the scheme he had in mind had been forward, though only recently had it been suggested for a memorial. It had been suggested that the two show associations amalgamate and the winter show building be transferred to the domain. The building at present "was too far from the residential area. Now it was felt that this idea could be improved on. The building, with the association’s approval, could be sold and the money, subsidised for memorial purposes, be handed over for the erection of a new building as a community centre. The winter show could be held in the building each year. He did not think that the Winter Show Association would lose its idenity. If the assets were sold, he considered, the amalgamation between the two show bodies would not take place and a resolution of the annual meeting that amalgamation be attempted be rescinded.

No Reason He saw- no reason why the new proposal should be affected by the previous resolution, said Mr Wilkes. Mr L. R. Spring said there was no need to rescind the resolution as the executive had tried strenuously to have amalgamation effected. The speakers, said the resolution did not stipulate the handing over of assets in the event of amalgamation. For the Agricultural and Pastoral Association, it was said that amalgamation was possible even if the winter show building were sold. If the meeting agreed, tenders would be called for the purchase of the building, said Mr Warren. A carnival could bring in £2,000 and, with public subscriptions and subsidy, a fund of £IB,OOO would be raised. There could be a main hall with a secondary building in the rear at right angles, with a tarsealed floor suitable for indoor sports. Subsiduary rooms also could be there. A design was being prepared for submission to next week’s meeting.

It should be possible to raise £20,000 for the proposed scheme, said ,Mr A. J. Canning.

International Situation The international situation should he considered, it was suggested by a speaker who said that, though he favoured the scheme, he believed another major war was probable.

Mr Wilkes moved that the Winter Show Association authorise its executive to sell its building and lease and donate the proceeds to a community centre war memorial subject to the buildings erected being suitable for the holding of winter shows and being made available for that purpose free of charge, to control being vested in the Borough Council; to a subsidy being available and to sufficient funds and assets being retained for the association’s working capital. This motion was carried with an addendum that, should amalgamation eventuate between the Winter Show Association and the A. and P. Association, the executive, take steps, if possible, to secure the use of the memorial building fbr the latter Association.

The price which might be secured for the winter show building must be borne in mind, said Mr Spring. Unless £5,000 was realised, the scheme could not be effective. It would have been better if there had been time for the. association to'decide how much could be secured from the sale before next week’s public meeting. The chairman was given authority to submit the resolution to the public meeting and it was decided that tenders be called for the purchase of the main winter show building. Conditions of tenders were discussed.