Costs of Bishopdale centre to be shared

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33463, 19 February 1974, Page 14

Costs of Bishopdale centre to be shared

It was not correct to say that only the ratepayers of the Harewood riding would have to contribute to the cost of the proposed Bishopdale centre, the chairman of the Waimairi County Council (Mr D. B. Rich) said yesterday.

He was replying to a correspondent to "The Press” who said that “one aspect of the proposal is that only the ratepayers of Harewood riding will be required to contribute towards the cost.” The correspondent, “Wake Up Harewood Riding,” wrote: “May I offer my appreciation to your writer on the proposed centre at Bishopdale. The irrefutable logic and cogency of expression contained in the article deserves further study. One aspect of the proposal is that only the ratepayers of Harewood riding will be required to contribute towards the cost. This feature is unjust and inequitable even if the building could relieve the boredom or other maladies of those for whom it is to be built. Did the council members have a sweeping

majority to impose this burden on ratepayers whose riding has at present some $30,000 in outstanding rates?”

“The Harewood riding ratepayers will contribute 50 per cent, and all other ridings will share the remaining 50 per cent on a basis agreed by the council and assessed on the proximity of the riding to the proposed centre,” said Mr Rich.

“Those ratepayers living farthest away will pay a lesser percentage, as it is considered that those living nearer the centre will use it the most. The council will review the operating costs annually.

“The council has considered the proposal at length and it is of the opinion that a community centre is required in the Bishopdale area, and it was certainly under consideration at the time of the last election,” said Mr Rich.