$16,040 Grant To Papanui Pool

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32073, 22 August 1969, Page 12

$16,040 Grant To Papanui Pool

When the Waimairi County Council last evening decided to grant $16,040 as its share of the cost of roofing the Papanui Amateur Swimming Club’s pool, the chairman (Mr D. B. Rich) said the decision might have been easier if the council had got its priorities right.

An amendment, moved by Cr F. S. Blogg, that the council defer the grant until such time as the whole question of the council’s land subdivision funds had been gone into was defeated. < Moving the $16,040 grant. Cr W. T. Rice, said the money would come from the Papanui riding share of the money paid by land subditiders. The riding credit balance was $43,227. Opening a discussion sprinkled with points of order, Cr Biogg said that the Papanui pool was. as big as would be found in some peoples' back yards. ■ The council had $240,000 in subdivision money, which sounded a lot but was a pittance against the demands on it, said Cr Blogg. A $290,000 library and community centre project was coming up for Bishopdale. An iee-skating rink for Jellie Park was proposed and the Burnside Football .Club had raised money for a project of tremendous community benefit. "Altogether, $350,000 could be spent. We’ve got Spencer Park, and development of the foreshore,” said Cr Blogg.

“We cannot go on spending subdivision money willynilly.” The County Clerk (Mr J. Reid) said that the Papanui riding balance was actually $29,000.

Cr R. C. Harrow said the council had no evidence that the club had raised its share of the money. Mr Rich said the council was being too hasty. The council had for some time been concerned at the demands on its subdivision funds for recreational development and had set up a sub-committee, whose priorities should be awaited.