RUNANGA TENNIS CLUB PROPERTY

Greymouth Evening Star, 7 August 1946, Page 4

RUNANGA TENNIS CLUB PROPERTY

BOROUGH COUNCIL ACCEPTS CONTROL

The Runanga Borough Council has agreed to take over the assets of the Runanga Tennis Club and control the courts. The proposal was made to the council at its meeting last night, by Messrs H. Webb, W. Downes and J. Baddeley, representing the club, and was accepted. Mr., Webb . said the remaining members of the club would like to see the council take over the tennis club property “lock, stock and barrel.” The club had not functioned last season and there was no prospect of the club’s actively carrying on in the coming season. If the council would take over the property, levy charges for the use of the courts, and maintain them, then, perhaps tennis would be revived in the community. The club had no debts. The four courts and the partly-erected pavilion were the only assets. At one time the club had 70 members, and the subscription fees were £1 for men and 15/ for women.

Mr. Downes said that he was satisfied that players would willingly pay a subscription and play on the courts, but the work of maintaining the courts and keeping the- facilities in good condition was left to five or six, and others would not join when there was so much work to be done. He felt that under the control of the council, there would be added interest in the courts, and that the proposition would pay its way. Subscription Question. The Mayor (Mr. E. W. Kennedy) said it would be necessary for the subscription to be high enough to pay maintenance costs and cover improvements, including the cost of finishing the pavilion. Mr. Webb said the pavilion had been estimated to cost £l7O with all facilities, and about £5O had been spent on it. It would not be necessary to finish the building to the last detail. He estimated that under council control there would be a minimum of 40 players. The club once had a debt of £4OO but this had been paid. Mr. Baddeley said that some local players had-joined Greymouth clubs, with higher subscription fdes, so that they could enjoy tennis without being called on to spend so much of their time in keeping the courts and grounds in order. The Mayor said the Mines Department had subsidised the courts to the extent of £l2OO.

Mr. Webb replied that members had put in thousands' of pounds worth of laboui’ in putting down lour fine courts.

The Mayor said that if the club went defunct the courts, which were on borough reserve, would automatically revert to the council, and if the council could revive interest and secure revenue to maintain the courts in good condition, then it would provide an opportunity for the youth of the town to learn and enjoy the sport. Club Assistance. Mr. Webb said that if the council adopted the proposal and went ahead with the completion of the pavilion, several of the stalwarts of the club would give what help they could on the building. He thanked the council for the hearing, and the deputation withdrew. The Mayor said he could see the players’ objection to being called on to spend the evening in cutting lawns and attending to the courts after a day’s work, and then find that bad weathdr prevented their enjoying the sport. Cr. J. Devine said that the council had deferred urgent maintenance work during the war period, and this was piling up. He would not like to see any action taken which involved diverting workmen from borough maintenance work to the tennis courts. If the proposal was adopted, then the council should move slowly, put one court in order first, and do only essential work to the pavilion, until it was seen what enthusiasm and revenue was forthcoming. Cr. S. Braithwaite said that in any case the courts were going to revert to the council, if the club went defunct, and it was best to try and make it a self-supporting sport rather than a dead loss. The courts I were on the Kotare domain, and domain funds could be used to put the. area into playing condition, on the understanding that the fund would have first call on revenue received from subscriptions. On the motion of Crs. Braithwaite and Devine it was resolved that the council take over the tennis courts, and that players’ subscription fees be fixed by the council. Use of Domain. The Runanga Soccer Club wrote regarding the council’s approval of the club’s using the playing area of the domain, subject to conditions regarding replacement of goal posts and repair of damage. The dub complained ’that the conditions were unfair. It was denied that any damage had been done, and contended that each club should leave the ground clear, erecting and removing its own goal posts.—The letter . was received and no action was ■ taken. 1

The Greymouth- Technical High School Board advised that nominations were invited for the election of two representatives of local ■ bodies on the board.—lt was decided to nominate Cr. W. Wright for a seat on the board. Mr. J. Deardon asked that the name, Mrs. A. Deardon, on the valuation roll be changed to Mr. J. Deardon.—Held over for production of title deeds. Canterbury Fire Underwriters’ Association advised that a reduction in fire insurance premiums had been approved, and the new rates (not specified) would take effect from September, 1946. The Under-Secretary of Mines advised that the rate subsidy of £6O on the State properties in Inverness street had been passed for payment. Four : building permits were approved, subject to the approval of the building inspector. One permit was for a furniture factory. ' It was decided to support the petition of the B.M.A. asking that a Royal Commission be appointed to investigate the problem of soil fertility, and the preservation of the humic content of the soil. INCREASED~RATES TO BE LEVIED At last evening’s meeting of the Runanga Borough Council, the estimates of receipts and expenditure for the current year were considered, i

It „was decided that the following rates be levied:—General rate on the- unimproved value (last ycar 2/3), hospital rate of 2 l-32d on the capital value (last year lid.) Lighting rate 3-16 d on capital value (unchanged), drainage rate of }d on the capital value (unchanged), Security rate of l/9jd on the unimproved value (reduction of id), water supply maintenance levy of 5/- per property (unchanged)., Catchment Board rate of 3-32 d on the capital value (new rate).

The hospital levy shows an increase of £428, and now totals £1382.

The question of the proposed Government subsidy was discussed, but it was decided that there was no alternative but to levy for the amount demanded by the Hospital Board, and if any subsidy is paid which reduces the levy, then this will affect the hospital levy next year.