Centre Not To Close

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31678, 14 May 1968, Page 18

Centre Not To Close

A motion that the Sumner Community Centre go into recess for a year was heavily defeated at the centre’s adjourned annual meeting last evening when 50 persons attended.

The meeting was held originally on March 26, but not enough members were present to elect a committee. Last evening, Mr W. J. Baguley moved that the centre go into recess. In seven years, the centre had not fulfilled its functions, said Mr Baguley. The people had shown from their apathy and indifference that they did not want it.

There were enough established organisations to cater for Sumner’s needs, he said. Petty bickering and squabbles in the centre groups had prevented the committee from doing its job and members had lost their enthusiasm. The centre boasted 300 or 400 members, but most of them would not pay their dues, said Mr Baguley. “The committee has not lost its enthusiasm,” said the acting chairman (Mr S. J. Halton). The committee had carried on for 12 months but had lacked public support. Group activities had been very successful, and the centre could not be judged because some groups had fallen by the wayside. Mr Halton agreed that members had had to be “chased for their subs,” but it was

defeatist to suggest that the centre go into recess. “I still believe that unless a committee of broad-minded, thinking people is elected, this centre should go into recess,” said Mr Baguley. “If we have a committee that cannot do more than think of one thing, the centre might as well dose."

The motion was lost, only two voting for it. The meeting proceeded to

elect officers, as follows: President, Mrs M. Gibbons; vice-president, Mr G. Williams; secretary, Mrs K. M. Jameson; treasurer, Mr E. Grim wood; committee, Messrs T. Donnelly, R. Luke, S. Paling, H. Wilson, M. Rich, M. McLoughlin, N. Mayson, K. Bruin, J. Schoeman, Me* dames N. Tonkin, A. Plunket, T. Flint, D. Bond, M. Smith: auditor, Mr R. H. Campbell; patron, Mr N. E. Kirk, M.P.