ROWING CLUBS

Evening Post, Volume CXXXVI, Issue 31, 5 August 1943, Page 3

ROWING CLUBS

HARBOUR ACCESS ASSURED A deputation to the City Council on Monday, representing the Wellington Rowing Club and the Star Boating Club, wished the position made clear as to whether the Civic Centre plans would interfere with their tenure of their present sites, off Jervois Quay. It was stated that the Star Boating Club had pursued its activities in Wellington for 50 years or more, and in that time had occupied three sites, on the foreshore of Lambton Quay, on the foreshore of what was now Victoria Street, and on the borders of Jervois Quay. Both clubs had numbered amongst their members many prominent citizens. A good deal of reorganisation was contemplated, and it was asked that the leases of the present sites be renewed for 21 years, j In reply to Councillor Gaudin, it was stated that 160 members of the clubs were in the Armed Services. Practically no rowing was being done now. Councillor C. M. Bowden: Who owns the buildings? Mr. A. D. Bayfeild, who headed the deputation: We own the buildings, of course. The Mayor (Mr. Hislop): The buildings revert to us. The council might at some future date find it necessary to put a building over the whole of that site, said Mr. Bayfeild. The clubs' chief concern was to retain access to the waterfront. The council wished to do the best it could for the clubs, said the Mayor. A long-term scheme was being worked out for the Civic Centre, and the scheme took into account the lay-out of the whole area. There was not much point in giving the clubs a lease of that area for 21 years, so long as the clubs knew that they were not going to be turned out. The building ultimately decided on by the council would leave the clubs access to the harbour. ________________