CALEDONIAN GROUNDS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24697, 28 August 1941, Page 8

CALEDONIAN GROUNDS

/fiROPEBTY OUTLINE OF PROCEDURE APPROACH TO CITY COUNCIL FIRST ■ - .Negotiations are to be opened by the directors of the Caledonian Society of Otago for the disposal of the Caledonian Grounds. It has been decided the City Council first with fr view to Its purchasing! the property for reereatroh purpOsesahd,. should the ’Council's tCrni? not be Acceptable, ne--gOtiationV will be opened wlth the Gov- ' ernment. vJffa satisfa ctorysettlernent, iis'Vnot achieved in either "case, how.eVcr, it isf proposed tosub-divide^the -property for-disposal as ] building allot- ; iipents. ’ L:’?' ’ ''j. ! ■:S. At 2 meetirtA 'cf ' directors, the 'executive'-subniitted the following re - commendations:— \l. That negotiations be opened for the disposal of the Caledonian Grounds upon conditions acceptable to the society. -’v> 2. That’ the- City Council of Dunedin be first approached with a view to its purchasing thevground, oh behalf of the city, with a proviso that th,e ground will ibe maintained and available for sports meetings and gatherings. 3. That should the City Council agree to purchase, the Caledonian Society, so as to retain its identity with the grounds, national sports and its internouse r competitions. shall have the right to be granted the free use of the grounds each year for the purpose of conducting such gathering and competitions. 4. That in the event of the City Council refusing to purchase on terms acceptable to the society; negotiations be opened with the Government for the sale and disposal of the grounds. 5. That should the foregoing negotiations not prove successful the properly be subdivided for disposal as building allotments.. . 6. It is further suggested for consideration in the event of a satisfactory sale,, that after' paying off all liabilities, the balance be devoted to the purchase of, or the building and equipping of a suitable hall on similar lines as carried out by the Canterbury Caledonian Society; and, further that provision be made for establishing a university scholarship. , Retention as Sports Area ,

The president, Mr A. Wheeler, occupied the chair, and there was almost a full attendance of directors. After routine business had been, disposed of the president said that it would be n£qessary, result of tM negotiations for the fifial decision to he . submitted to a special meeting of members of the society. It was the directors’ desire to see the grounds retallied as; a’ .sports and athletic v area. * The secretary. Mr J.- S. Douglas, said the society had a splendid history. During the first 50 years since its establishment it was looked upon by all sections of the community as one of, if not the leading promoter of national customs, accomplishments, and athletic sports. Towards the end of the period referred to a new generation with changed conditions had grown up. Then; the opening up of additional playing (areas by the City Council ;afad other bodies had meant that the Society had .to contend against many counter attractions. Another factor, Mr Douglas said, was that up tq the . year 1921 the society possessed considerable;; additional property, leased or rented, and returning good revenue. -,. Now, it possessed only the ground property and bowling green. The majority of finance statements extending rver many years disclosed a loss on sports meetings, and the ground-letting returns had likewise’ diminished. And. now under war cotidltrons the society’s future prpspects Were very poor indeed, Negotiations to b« Opened . .Members expressed the hope that the society would not have to go further than the City Council. The report and . recommendations were put to the'meeting and carried unanimously. - , , , The ‘/empowered to open negotiatiohsiiiitid‘ report to the directors. .£ - .'x \