"Public Indifference” To Community Centre

Press, Volume CV, Issue 31016, 23 March 1966, Page 24

"Public Indifference” To Community Centre

There had been no lack of criticism during the year of the state of the Sumner Community Centre’s hall, but rarely had there been an offer of help to improve it, said the president (Mr W. C. D. Glasgow) at the centre’s annual meeting. Mr Glasgow said that the hall was drab. It would stay like that until users realised that it was a community facility and that it was up to the community to do something to improve it. “Even some of the present users are inclined to take it for granted that their responsibility ends with the trifling subscription of 10s a year and that they can then sit back and enjoy the facilities available with no further effort on their part,” said Mr Glasgow Mr Glasgow said the present committee had only two members representing groups using the centre. He felt it should be composed of active members of groups who were

really interested in the progress of the organisation.

“We have a tremendous asset here, and unfortunately a terrific public indifference,” said Mr Glasgow. This year, said Mr Glasgow, the centre’s facilities had been used for the activities of 24 organisations. The financial statement showed that the centre was barely holding its own. Council Criticised

In his annual report, the treasurer (Mr F. W. Betts) said that during his term of office the attitude of Christchurch city councillors to the centre had been one of almost complete indifference. “It may be considered that some support is given to this expression by the fact that a bill for £6 for the hire of the community centre hall as a polling booth on October 9, 1965, is still unpaid almost six months later, and that letters from our president bearing on this matter have gone unanswered,” said Mr Betts.

The Leader of the Opposition (Mr Kirk), who is also patron of the centre, said the centre had fulfilled an important function in the area since its inception. The following officers were elected:—President, Mr W. C. D. Glasgow; secretary, B. Downer: treasurer, Mr B. H. Merwood.