CALEDONIAN GROUND

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24773, 25 November 1941, Page 6

CALEDONIAN GROUND

FUTURE UNCERTAIN SOCIETY'S FINANCIAL ITRAITS CITY COUNCIL REFUSES OFFER The future of the society, and the possible fate of the Caledonian Ground, formed the principal topics of discussion at the annual meeting of the Caledonian Society of Otago. which was held last night. Some members contended that the public of Dunedin was to blame for not supporting the society as liberally as it might, and others said that the only way out of the society's difficulties was to dispose of the ground to the City Council. The chairman (Mr Albert Wheeler) first told the meeting that negotiations for the sale of the ground to the City Council were- proceeding and when there was something concrete to place before members a special general meeting of the society would be held. Later, however, he announced that he had ' been informed by the Mayor (Mr A. H. Allen) that the council could not accede to the society's proposal. The adoption of the annual report and balance sheet were moved by the chairman, who said tnat the absence of so many young athletes had had a serious effect on the society during the past year. The fate of the society's ground was in the balance, but he thought that Dunedin should oe able to produce a sufficiently large number of Scottish enthusiasts to ensure that me Caledonian Ground would remain open for the use of the rising generation. Tt was a disgrace to the city if something could not be done. Growing Deficiency Mr J. A. MacDonald, the society's treasurer, said that the society's expenditure during the past year had been £7O higher than in the previous year, on account of increased land tax" and its income from ground rents had fallen by £125. The excess of expenditure over receipts for the year was £446, which was serious-, and could not continue. In the previous year the deficiency was £265. Mr B. R. McKernan said that unless the society could get another 500 members it would carry on at an increasing loss. The only bright spot on the past year had been the society's own sports meeting, which had shown a profit only because certificates had been awarded to the successful competitors, and not prize money. " Outlived Its Usefulness " Mr A.. McMillan said it was obvious that the society's position was most unsatisfactory, and its future was uncertain. If it continued to pay for its deficits by increasing its overdraft, there was nothing surer than that the society would lose possession of its property. In view of that position there was no inducement for any new members to join the society. _ ■' "Personally, I think the society has outlived its usefulness," Mr McMillan continued.. "It has a valuable ground, and I suggest that it should hand it over to the City Council for the amount of the bank overdraft, on condition that the society could obtain the use of the ground when it wanted it. If it does so it will be in a sound position and free from any liability. The ground should belong to the citizens." Mr McMillan also said that he took exception to the chairman's remarks concerning lack of public support. In fact, he declared, the citizens of Dunedin had responded very liberally when asked to do so.

Mr Wheeler said that there was one big inducement for new members to join the society. That was that it had the only private sports ground in the city, and citizens should rise to the occasion and see that it was kept for the use of the young athletes. Conferences with Council

The secretary, Mr J. S. Douglas, explained that just before the outbreak of the present war the society had borrowed £IOOO to improve the cycling track. It had been unable to make up that money. He felt that the time had now come for the City Council to carry on and take over the ground, leaving the society the opportunity to use its funds for bursaries and scholarships. Two conferences had already been held with the City Council concerning the matter, and if the council would not take it over tha society would have to take other steps. Mr McMillan said that it was unthinkable that the land should be lost to the public. ■ Mr T. Ritchie said that the directors were perfectly in accordance with Mr McMillan's ideas. The chairman *aid that nothing could be done with the grounds without the consent of the members of the society. Mr J Hope said that if the society obtained what it wanted for the ground it would be able to give financial assistance to the Otago Early Settlers Association and provide bursaries for the Technical School. The chairman closed the discussion bv announcing that the Mayor had telephoned him and informed him that the council would not accept the society's offer. Electior of Officers

The following officers were elected for the ensuing year:—President, Mr A. Wheeler; vice-presidents, Messrs B R. McKernan and T. Ritchie; treasurer. Mr J. A. MacDonald; secretary Mr J S Douglas; directors —Messrs A. Bain. W Esquilant, J. T. N. Grant, W. R. Loan, B. R. McKernan, W. H. Naylor, D. A. O'Connell. E._W. Walden, A. Wright, and H. McKenzie.

OFFER REFUSED

CITY COUNCIL'S DECISION

The offer of the Caledonian Society of Otago tp the Dunedin City Council was discussed at some length in committee by the fortnightly meeting of the council last night. A special committee comprising the Mayor (Mr A. H. Allen) and Crs W. B. Taverner and L. J. T. Ireland, submitted a report on discussions with the representatives of the society, and the meeting adopted the committee's recommendation—that the society's offer to sell the property, excluding the bowling green, to the-council for £BOOO —be declined. Councillors were unanimous in the desire that the ground should be retained as a public playing area, but they were unanimous also in their opinion" of the offer under considertion. v Details of Offer The committee's report stated that the society had offered to sell the freehold, with the exception of that portion leased to the Caledonian Bowling Club, which area the society proposed to retain. The total area of the property, including the bowling green portion, was 8 acres 2 roods 29.43 poles, and the bowling green contained 2 roods 17 poles. Thus the portion open for purchase was 8 acres 0 roods 12.43 poles, and the price asked was £BOOO. "The society assumes that, should the council purchase the area, it would be retained for a playing area," the report stated. "It has also attached a condition to the proposed sale to the effect that ' the society desires the right each year to have.,;the use of the grounds and facilities, free of cost, for the purpose of conducting its annual Caledonian gathering and interhouse sports competitions.' Improvements Over-valued

"A report by the city valuer discloses that the improvements are worth considerably less than the figure put forward by the society," the report continued. "It is also evident that considerable expenditure would have to be undertaken in the future. There is no statutory authority which would permit the council to collect revenue from the property if it were purchased as a playing area. Authority exists

under the Physical Welfare and Recreation Regulations for the raising bl loan moneys for such a purpose witb« out submitting the question to a poll of the ratepayers; but such a course !« not favoured by the committee. "After fullv considering the offer, and having regard to the financial d#> mands likely to be made on the' coub* cil's resources in relation to the existing playing areas, the committee is ef the opinion that the proposal is not attractive, and recommends • that • the society be advised that the offer is declined."