Report on tavern trip by councillor

Press, 23 September 1983, Page 5

Report on tavern trip by councillor

Tickets to the Hillsborough Tavern, paid for by the Heathcote County Council, will be given to a staff member willing to monitor noise and numbers at concerts this evening and Saturday evening.

The council has for some time been concerned about noise levels and attendance at the tavern. On several occasions, it has approached the Licensing Control Commission to have the tavern’s entertainment licence revoked.'

At last evening’s council meeting Cr Margaret Buchanan gave a lively account of her attendance at the “Roco Coco” performance on Wednesday evening.

She said that the sixmember band made a noise akin to “a large kitchen towel roll thumped against your chest.” Cr Buchanan said that as a keen musician she was sometimes “turned on” by rock music, but the Hillsborough performance did not appeal. After 40 minutes her tolerance was sorely tested.

At the end of the tavern’s drive a “considerable sound” could be heard, which would be “disquieting” to nearby residents. The band’s sound mixer had told her that its equipment was capable of producing "6000 watts of sound.” The full capacity was rarely used, he said.

Little drinking appeared to be done by the audience which appeared to be of an average age of 18. Cr 0. T. Alpers said that he questioned the financial widsom of the tavern’s managment. He said the type of music it played seemed not to attract a drink-buying audience.

The County Chairman, Mr W. A. Hindmarsh, said the use of the tavern for bandtype entertainment was clearly inappropriate.

Councillors decided that one or more staff members should be sent to the performance of the “Dance Exponents” this week. Staff should assess the noise levels and the size of the crowd.

Riding school Planning approval for a riding school in Heathcote Valley has been given.

The school on property off Bridle Path Road at Cooks Lane would have six to eight horses, Mrs A. Addison told an earlier planning hearing. No objection to the proposal was received. However, the council ruled that off-street parking should be provided and a building permit obtained if stables or other buildings were erected. Museum

The council should seek to have a representative on the Canterbury Museum Trust Board, Mr Hindmarsh said

in his final report to the council.

If the council’s user-pay views were to be heard it should continue to lobby the board, he said.

Temporary work

Between 46 to 50 P.E.P. workers were being used on a variety of council projects, reported Mr Hindmarsh. He said that the main project planned was the Heathcote riverbank beautification project. Commendation The work of Mr Hindmarsh as chairman for the last three years was commended by councillors. Mr Hindmarsh is not seeking re-election next month.