TAHUNA PARK

Evening Star, Issue 19951, 22 August 1928, Page 4

TAHUNA PARK

BIG RECONSTRUCTION SCHEME PROJECT FOR EXHIBITION GROUNDS PRIMARY AND SECONDARY PRODUCERS COMBINE HAXUFACXUR-KltSs CiVK SUPPORT. A miniature South Seas Exhibition, to bo held yearly in Dunedin, u bein'; proposed. For "years past the space at tbe Winter Show buildings has been inadequate for the joint display on » fitting scale of tho primary and secondary products of Otago, and »>n ambitious scheme tor tho reconstruction of Tahuna Pari; and the erection of lino buildings there iias been prepared. Tho scheme proposed is estimated to cost £25,000 at the start, inn provision is made lor greater expansion in later years. At the park it is proposed to provideevery facility, such as proper exhibition buildings, sports grounds, tea rooms, amusement park, ami motor olympia to attract the public._ For some time past the joint committees of the Dunedin Manufacturers’ Association and tho Otago Agricultural and Pastoral Association have been working on the project, and last night it was fully explained to members of the former association, who unanimously decided to further the project.

Mr J. Sutherland Buss (president 1 said .several conferences had been held between representatives of the Manufacturers’ Association and the A. and P. Society, and a considerable amount of enthusiasm over the project bad been shown on both sides. 11 (he proposal were to bo carried to a success!nl issue, all classes of the community would have to take a keen personal interest. (“Hear, hear.”) Mr Hogg outlined the scheme ns one providing for show and exhibition buddings adequate lor (bo needs ot the primary and secondary interests. After several conferences both bodies bad decided that publicity was now needed, and proposals were to be placed before the members of both bodies. The question before the conferences bad been the one of sites lor exhibition purposes in place of the present show buildings in Crawford street. Needless toLsay to business men. tbo present buildings were totally inadequate for a combined display of the primary and secondary products of Otago and Southland. Prom tbo progress being made by the winter shows in the northern cities, it was evident that _ Otago would have to do more to gain the forefront in pushing the city’s ends.

; THE PRESENT BUILDING. i Muring the past two years the basis it the discussions at the conferences bad tieen whether tho A. and P. Society would increase the present premises hv erecting an additional one of two *.torlcs, one story being devoted to the manufacturers; il the society were not in a position to build in Crawford street, the proposal had boon that the manufacturers should join the society in finding a new site on the foreshore or on the land at present used for other show purposes. Tho Manufacturers’ Association had set up a committee to discuss the possibility of bolding an industrial exhibition on a j fairly large scale in 1929 or 19.90, and Air J. Y. Love bad drawn up a plan and submitted proposals for the reconstruction of Talnina Park and the erection of buildings there. No definite result had accrued from the deliberations. as the A. and P. Society was in a difficulty in deciding whether to stop in Crawford street or to move elsewhere. Air Love's proposals had been placed before the executive and had been warmly received. The last meeting of the combined bodies bad been held early this mouth, and bad unanimously decided to recommend that the members of tbo association and of the society should empower their representatives to investigate the possibilities of a combined scheme on a site at Tahuna Park. Mr Love’s scheme embraced the possibilities of Tahuna Park having permanent exhibition buildings and show j grounds which would suffice for tho needs of the city and province tor 100 years. Such a scheme had been successfully carried out in Sydney, and 'Wellington had lauimlied a similar scheme this year. Both _ committees realised that it was not in _the best interests of the A. and P. Society or n) Dunedin that tho present show buildings should bo enlarged. However, that question would have to bo decided solely bv the members of the A. and P. Society- Only no,ooo square feet ot space were available, and many of the largest manufacturing firms were unable to exhibit adequately or at all at tbo Winter Show. Both the A. and P. Society looked with horror every night of tho show at the possibility of firo breaking out when the buildings were congested. A CENTRAL SITE. In the new site question tho subject of centrality was one of concern, f aJiuna Park consisted of twenty-live acres of freehold land, and was vested in the A. and P. Society for show purposes. The commercial community had a big interest in tho land, as the city had raised £IO,OOO to assist the society’s funds some years ago. The possibilities of tho park being converted into grounds with adequate buildings, parking facilities, spurts areas, tea rooms, and an amusement ground, with an environment that would attract the people, were visualised by Mr Love’s plans. If the park developed in twenty-live years in keeping with the progress of the city the land surrounding tho park _ could be acquired for further extensions, la.huna Park was situated on the edge of tho city, and was at the back door of the “Plat,” with its large population. Tha tram facilities to Tahuna wero much better than those existing on the Logan Park route. Two lines led direct to tho park, and as the line after leaving the St. Kilda terminus had not paid, the project to make Tahuna tho homo of the winter shows would be looked upon as a properous matter for the city’s tramways department. “ Some criticism is lodged and had boon offered against Tahuna Park on the ground of its being on tho edge of the city,” said Mr Hogg. “ Wellington’s buildings, which are now being erected, are about twelve to fifteen minutes from the heart of tbo city, and I am informed by Cr Douglas that a fast tram service to Tahuna would probably take less than fifteen minutes. Sydney’s show ground had been obtained when the city was in its early stages, but now a huge population had sprung up around the Site. Experience in Auckland had shown that combined shows had been profitable and productive of great good between the primary and secondary industries. In Christchurch tho manufacturers and th* A. and P. Society had combined to hold a show and exhibition, and on Saturday last 10,000 had attended King Edward Barracks. Wellington’s industrial and agricultural exhibition bad been attended by 150,000 people in one WA'ek. Dunedin would thus seu

tho tremendous possibilities if the proper facilities were provided at Tahuna Park. Tho people would enjoy themselves as they did at tho South Seas Exhibition, although on a smaller scale. “ Is Dunedin going to lug behind and not take tho opportunity to-day of providing greater facilities, which could bo developed as the city progresses’* Arc wo likely to obtain the support of the Otago people if wc adopt such a scheme?” These questions were asked by Mr Hogg. The suggestion for Tahuna Park was that tho autumn show should run for two weeks. The special buildings for stock could bo removed at tho cud of a week, but the agricultural display could be continued. Mr Love’s plans provided for one big building of attractive design with 110,000 square feet of space, in which not only the New Zealand Secondary Industry Exhibition could bo held, but an Empire display could be housed ami tlie Agricultural and Education Departments could co-opcrato in showing their work. Sports could bo held on the Oval without the ground being altered greatly. The motor traders, who were handicapped for space in the prosent winter show building, would probably take a largo space and make a very" attractive exhibition. When not used for show purposes, tho Wellington building would bo used for tennis and bowling, skating and dancing, and as a motor olympia, and the same uses could be made of tho Tahuna Park building. Recently both St. Clair and St. Kiida had notic'd £I,OOO by beach carnivals. They had not provided any tremendous facilities for the attraction and pleasure of the public, and it was a guide as to the thousands who would bo attracted to Tahuna by _ wide attractions and tho best provision for tho public's enjoyment.

ESTIMATED COST, in an estimate to the Manufacturers’ Association Air Loro had stated that the cost of erecting a building capable of standing for many years would ho in the vicinity ol £30,000. but only halt tho space would be required during tho first ton years. Even with half the proposed space the building would provide 50 per cent, greater Hour spare thaipat the Crawford street buildings. Taking tho cost of the building, therefore, at £15,000, an additional £IO.OOO would he required for other improvements. A total of £'25,000 would ho needed to launch the scheme. “ I believe that the whole scheme is one that should bo taken up civically by Dunedin, as it is next in importance to the Now Zealand and South Seas Exhibition project, although on a .smaller scale.’’ said Air Hogg. He suggested that the City Council, the Chamber of Commerce, the Expansion League, the Motor Club, and all local and public bodies would all say that the scheme was worthy of the city. Iho underlying principle of success was that the scheme should he started on sound lines. He hoped the scheme when it was properly developed would receive the same support as was given to the Exhibition Company. Alter the Manufacturers’ Association and the A. and P. Society had lurtherecl the project a civic meeting would ho called, and every citizen would be given a chance of participating in the scheme. The President (Air J. Sutherland Koks) said the association was indebted to tho A. and P. Society for its courtesy in allowing some public statement to be made on the matter. In a letter read by the secretary the .Mayor (Air W. ' H. Taverner) declared that it was an admirable scheme, deserving of wholehearted support. It seemed to ho second only to the successful efforts which developed the big Exhibition. The Wellington AJanufaciurers’ Association wrote regarding tho' qntsi.nn of finance. That body had set out to raise £■lo.ooo. and debentures for that sum had been sold within the first two years. The exhibition, it was hoped, would bo held in the now building this year. “As Far as the City Council is eoncorned it has already shown its sympathy with this proposal, inasmuch as in response to the invitatieji it appointed me to represent it here,” said tlu> deputy-mayor (Cr J. >S. Douglas). Probably the City Council would appoint its proper delegates later on, when tho scheme was being further developed. As chairman of tho 'Tramways Committee- ho was particularly inleiested in tho scheme from a gain point of view. Already the question of tram service to Tahuna Park had been brought before tho committee and the management, and he could sec no reason why suitable terms for the transport of the public to the park could not bo arrived at. Fares to the park in the past had been high owing to the cost of a lino and its being used only once or twice yearly, but tho line would he of greate*’ use if tho present project was carried through. “The City Council, 1 feel sure, will do all it can to develop tho scheme for tho benefit and progress of the f-itv," said Cr Douglas.

Mr G. Ginn (president of flic Auckland Manufacturers’ Association) recounted the experiences of the Auckland body in finding suitable promises for an exhibition, and he said Dunedin was fortunate in having such a commodious ami contra! site as Tahuna available, The project was a wonderful one, and as be knew Dunedin’s ability to carry through anything which it undertook, lie was smo that the Tnlmna Park scheme would bo accomplished. Mr 15. A. Jlosevear (president of the Chamber of Commerce) said be was much impressed with the scheme, which look a long and right view. Ho assured the present joint committee that, if it could reach finality, the members of tho chamber would give the project every support. No person in tho city could possibly object to the scheme being carried to fruition. A. AND P. SOCIETY’S PROBLEMS. .Mr 15. MMvellar (president of the A. and P. Society') said the change to Talunia Park would have to be decided by the members of the society. The committee of the .society’s executive was favourable to the scheme, provided it coukl bo carried out with tho interests of Ibo society ,sa fogu arded during the operations. They would realise that tho proposal was of more importance to the A. and P. Society than any other body involved. The/society _ had been so long boused in tho Crawford street buildings that it was traditional that tho Winter Show should bo held there. Naturally, any proposal to change the location was looked upon with alarm from the attendance point of view. Although the scheme might be suggested to the A. and P. Society a year or so before it was ready, it provided a chance for tho society to co-operate with the other associations in the city. Members could not put tho project aside, and they -should do their host to carry it through. On behalf of tho members of the society, he could safely say that they fully appreciated the interest, financial and otherwise, always taken in their society by tho business community of Dunedin, and anything evolved from tho scheme outlined would bo of benefit to everyone concerned. The Manufacturers’ Association, he was sure, would receive every support from the members of the A. and P; Society. “ One must commend this great forward movement for an exhibition of the primary and secondary products of the province of Otago,” said‘ Mr P. W. Hall (Mayor of St. Kilda).; If the province wore to maintain its position greater facilities would have to he provided for the display of its products on a more elaborate scale than ■ was possible in the present Winter Show buildi ing. There was a movement on foot to improve and popularise the beaches, and hevaw no difficulty in finance being obtained for the Tahuna Park scheme, as the twenty-five-acre property, connected directly with rail and trams, was at present used only on three da vs in the year. He mentioned that St. Kilda 1 rated on the unimproved value, and consequently no higher rates would have I to bo paid 'if the building scheme were continued.

On the motion of __ Mr B. H. Noes, seconded by Mr W. Neesj the following

resolution was made: —“ That this meeting of members of tho Manufacturers’ Association heartily approves of the suggested co-operation with the Otago A. and P. Society for tho erection of show buildings on Tahuna Park, and authorises its executive to continue negotiations to that end.”