STREET STALLS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22312, 23 April 1947, Page 4

STREET STALLS

SALE OF_PRODUCE COUNCIL DISAPPROVES REQUEST REFUSED A request from the provisional committee formed to raise money for the erection of a new Heni Materoa Children’s Home, that a stall should be allowed in Peel street every Friday during the next two months, was refused by the Gisborne Borough Council, in continuation of its policy, at last night's meeting. Councillors were generally of the opinion that shopkeepers had had enough of street stalls during the war years and that the council should not create a precedent in allowing the committee to open a street stall. The secretary of the committee, Mr. F. T. Robinson, wrote that many country people had offered produce to assist the commitee’s funds. It was hoped to raise £IO.OOO and he thought that a street stall would help the funds considerably. Mr. H. F. Wise assured the council that the town had been thoroughly canvassed for an c-mpty shop, from which to sell the produce offering, but none could be found. It seemed a pity that the produce should go begging, said Mr. Wise, when it had so generously been offered by country people, and the need of the home was so urgent. 1 Effect on Traders The Mayor. Mr. N. H. Bull, explained that if consent to the stall were granted a precedent would be created, and difficulty would be found in refusing future applications from other organisations for similar consideration. The effect on businesses whose livelihood depended on the sale of goods of a similar nature to be sold at the stall, was also mentioned by the Mayor. The operation of stalls inevitably would involve certain traders in losses not suffered by the remainder of the community. If the committee could obtain a shop in which to carry out its activities these objections would be solved. The policy of the council had been to refuse any requests for stalls since the end of the war years, said Mr. G. D. Muirhead. He moved that the committee should be advised that the council was unable to depart from its policy and therefore had to refuse the request. Mr. G. J. Jeune seconded and supported the motion, saying that the council had no indication of whether those in business agreed to the allowing of itinerent stalls to be set up and capturing some of their business. Mr. F. Tolerton said he thought every councillor was behind the committee’s efforts, but the council should definitely not grant the request. He thought that if the committee were to approach the business men of the town for donations, it would probably do just as well as if.it operated a stall. Mr. I. J. Quigley was of the same opinion. The motion was unanimously carried.