Conditional Contribution By Paparua County

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32396, 8 September 1970, Page 14

Conditional Contribution By Paparua County

The Paparua County Council has agreed to fall in line with other Canterbury local bodies and contribute towards the restoration of the Canterbury Provincial Buildings, but it has imposed conditions.

At a council meeting last evening, it was moved that the council support the project subject to an assurance by the Government that local bodies will not be called upon again for financial assistance while the Government remains in occupancy of the buildings. Government departments must also pay a fair rental and be fully responsible during their occupancy for full maintenance once the buildings have been restored.

The council had previously refused to give anything towards the restoration because it considered that maintenance of the buildings should be a matter of Government responsibility and not. a matter for ratepayer support. Subject to the conditions, a contribution of $4BB a year for five years wil! now be made by the council for the restoration of the wooden section of the buildings. The decision to contribute was made by the council after it was reported that the council’s four district committees all favoured it. The Sockbum, Hornby and Halswell County Town Committees and the Rural District Committee had been asked their views on the matter

after the council’s original refusal in June. “Very Unhappy”

Expressing strong opposition to the councils making a contribution, Cr A. Y. Shuker said he was greatly disturbed and very unhappy about the situation. He moved that the offer be conditional. Some indication was wanted from the Government that it would maintain the buildings when they had been restored. The Government had been in occupancy before and $lOO,OOO worth of deterioration had occurred. In 10 years time, the length of time the Justice Department would be in occupancy, councils could be faced with the same cost, said Cr Shuker.

The council did not know how much more it would be asked to contribute

The Government was shirking its responsibilities to the people of Canterbury, who should not be asked to subsidise a Government building, he said. Much had been made of the

tourism factor but the building would be shut up for five days in the week while in use by the Justice Department

“I think this is a case where the cards should be laid fairly and squarely on the table. There is a lot more to this than meets the eye and I am very unhappy about it,” said Cr Shuker. “Not Clear”

Mr D. H. Warren, the county chairmap, said the council had certainly been very reluctant to contribute, and agreed with Cr Shuker that a clear picture of the proposal had not been given. However, the council was at the stage where it really had to contribute to be loyal to [its sister councils. The main point now seemed to be that they wanted to preserve the buildings at all costs, and it appeared the 25,000 persons in the Paparua County would not want to be left out of this. Mr Warren agreed with Cr Shuker that the council did not know if the contribution was going to be a continuous cost.