NO REPLY AFTER 18 MONTHS

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 24064, 28 September 1943, Page 4

NO REPLY AFTER 18 MONTHS

COUNCIL’S OFFER TO GOVERNMENT

REST HOUSES AND HILL RESERVES

“We wrote to the Government some 18 months ago making an offer, but in spite of several inquiries we have never been able to get a- reply,” said Cr. M. E. Lyons at the meeting of the Christchurch City Council last evening when referring to the proposal that the city should take over the Sign of the Kiwi and the Sign of the Bellbird and certain reserves adjoining the Summit road. The council decided to make another request, through the Commissioner of Crown Lands, for a reply to the offer. The decision was prompted by a clause in the reserves committee’s report stating that the Health Department had condemned the kitchen ar-. rangements at the tearoom at Victoria Park. On the recommendation of the committee it was decided to build a cook house at the tearoom at an estimated cost of £285. “I hope the Health Department will pay the same attention to Government property ” said Cr. G. D. Griffiths, who stated that the cooking arrangements and the general conditions at the Sign of the Kiwi were infinitely worse than at Victoria Park. “The Kiwi is ten times worse, said Cr. J. N. Clarke, chairman of the reserves committee.

“I am almost tempted to move an amendment to my own motion —that the council withdraw its offer,” said Cr. Lyons, amid laughter, after Cr. Griffiths had elaborated on the shortcomings of the Sign of the Kiwi.