AFFAIRS OF THE TAKAHE

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22466, 29 July 1938, Page 15

AFFAIRS OF THE TAKAHE

SUMMIT ROAD TRUST'S REPORT SUBSCRIBERS TO MEET THIS EVENING The first annual meeting since 1936 of subscribers to the Port Hills-Akaroa-Summit Road Public Trust will be held at the Sign of the Takahe this evening. In its annual report the board of trustees says that its affairs are now in a very much happier position than they have ever been, though the finances, particularly as they affect the Sign of the Takahe, are still viewed with concern. ' "The great visions of Mr H. G. Ell for the Port Hills have progressed very far this year," the report says. "Mucn remains to be done, but many of the difficulties which have hampered the trust in its activities m the past either have been or are being surmounted, and there would seem to be no reason why the ideals of the pioneers of the movement should not ultimately be realised." Arrears of interest and funds towards the completion of the Takahe, for which the trust is responsible, were found by a citizens' committee established on April 2, 1936. The report pays tribute to the generosity of the committee, to local bodies, and to all citizens who have assisted. Completion of Building The building, the trustees report, is bein« completed by the Public Works Department, the Government generously undertaking to provide the labour. The necessary materials other than stone have been, and are being, provided by the Citizens' Committee. These two authorities are controlling the completion of the building in accordance with the plans of the honorary architect, Mr J. G. Collins. It is stated with emphasis that no funds of the trust are being used for either labour or materials, and that the citizens of Christchurch are greatly indebted to the Government and to the various Ministers of the Crown for the actiVe interest maintained in the work. Special mention is made of the work of Miss M. S. Douglas and the staff under circumstahces "not of the best" The Takahe is considered to have, as a "show place," certain disadvantages as a tea room. The average visitor is fond apt ' to linger enjoying the building and decorations, causing a certain amount of congestion, and militating against increased returns. Twothirds of the returns are taken on week-ends and holidays. Income and Debts The income of the trust is reported to be sufficient to meet all its obligations in the conduct of the business, and the trustees look forward with great confidence to the future of this work. Mention is made of the zealous workers and supporters of the Takahe venture, and of the craftsmen responsible for the building. To deal with the accumulated debt of previous years the trustees called a meeting of creditors, and were most generously met, the report says, those attending agreeing to accept 50 per cent, of the amount owing. Since then many have been interviewed, and many have completely written off items. Pending a definite settlement of the whole of these outstanding sums, the trustees have refrained from dealing with this item in the balance-sheet. They are hopeful that in the near future this amount can be completely cleared up. , . A tribute is paid to the services of Mr J. S. Kelly, a member of the board of trustees, who has retired.