RUNANGA COMPLAINTS ABOUT VANDALISM AT GYMNASIUM HALL

Greymouth Evening Star, 7 April 1948, Page 8

RUNANGA COMPLAINTS ABOUT VANDALISM AT GYMNASIUM HALL

Following further- complaints concerning vandalism at the gymnasium hall, the Runanga Borough Council decided last evening to have a new door fitted to the front of the building, and to arrange with the five organisations which use the building to take responsibility for the cleanliness of the building. The Mayor (Mr G. E. English) said it would cost £3OO or more to put the building in good order, but the first essential was to make it sale from intruders. The Mayor and Councillors S. Braithwaite, W. Wright, G. Brown, W. Rafferty and J. Manderson were present at the meeting. The Main Highways Board wrote advising it was taking over responsibility for'maintenance of the Westport -Greymouth road which would be declared a State highway. It was proposed to take over the section of the highway within the borough and the whole cost of maintenance would be borne by the board. The council’s approval was sought.—lt was decided to agree to the proposal provided that the transfer does not affect the rating of properties fronting the highway. Mr J. White applied for ■ lease of section 11, block 21 Ward street.— Granted, subject to the water course , on the property remaining open. Mr C. Campbell junr., applied for renewal of lease of section 3, block 8. —Granted for term of 21 years. Building permits for work valued at £1291 were granted. The foreman reported that six tons of lime had been laid on the domain and two sacks of oats had been sown. A further 160 feet of drainage pipes had been laid in Inverness street. Pictures On Good Friday

Cr. Braithwaite said he had heard some comment on the screening of picture son Good Friday without a formal application to the council for permission. As such an application was required by the by-laws he felt that in future application should be made. The Mayor said he had given verbal permission for the screening, as he was unaware that the by-laws required a formal application. Those who did not want to attend pictures on Good Friday were not forced to go, “and they should not be kill-joys and spoil other people’s entertainment.” He agreed that in future the by-laws must be complied with. The Mayor’s action in granting permission was endorsed. When the lease of the domain area to the Runanga Rugby League Club came up for completion, the Mayor said he could not understand how the Minister of Lands had granted such a lease of a public domain. He did not think it right for one organisation to have sole rights over public property and so deny others the use of it. All other sports should share equally the facilities of the domain. Cr. Braithwaite said that when the proposal was first made by the league club it was with the idea of developing a ground of its own and spending money in providing facilities, wffiich no club would do without control of the area. The council had no power to grant the application, which was referred to the Minister for Lands, who approved the lease now before the council.

Cr. Rafferty said that all the money spent and now being spent on the domain was public money, and all sports should be treated equally. He felt that the Minister of Lands was not acquainted with the full situation when approving the lease. “Changing Their Tune”

Cr. Brown raised a point of order. He said he had been appointed by the council at its last meeting to meet the league club and to complete the lease, if the club desired to go ahead with it. The council gave no indication that it had any objection to the lease. Now councillors were changing their tune.

Cr. Rafferty said that he had objected at the time. It was beyond his understanding that the Minister had approved the lease. Cr. Brown: Well, why did you not instruct me accordingly when I was deputed to see the league people? The Mayor said they did not want any misunderstanding. If the past council had made a commitment, then this council would have to honour it. The point now was that the league club had acquired another area upon which its money would be spent in providing facilities. The league would hardly spend money in duplicating facilities at the domain. He thought it would be better if the league club was invited to meet the council and discuss the matter in a friendly spirit. If the club would agree to share the ground with other sports, so much the better. They did not want a league versus soccer controversy, but wanted to ensure that all sports had as much use of the facilities of the domains in the borough as possible. It was decided to invite the league club to meet the council at its next meeting. It was decided to call a public meeting to discuss a campaign for raising funds for the United Nations apppeal for children fund. The Council agreed to make a contribution of £lO to the fund.