SITE ADOPTED

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26773, 17 May 1948, Page 3

SITE ADOPTED

R.S.A. CLUBROOMS ITCHEN STREET CORNER TEMPORARY ROOMS SOUGHT “ That the site for the Be turned Servicemen’s Association club rooms be the area known as the ltehen street comer, where the Services’ Bowling club is at present laying out its green, and that steps be taken immediately to obtain the right to construct such club rooms there,” was a motion passed at the annual meeting of the Oamaru Returned Services’ Association on Saturday night. A futher motion that endeavours be made to secure the Oamairu Drill Hall for temporary club rooms was also adopted. In moving that the Itchen street site be adopted, Dr E. E. Butler said that the public of Oamaru was waiting on the association to reach some finality with the scheme for a club room, and the longer the association -waited the more it would prejudice itself in the eyes of the public. He added that some people were saying that a site nearer the Post Office would bp more suitable, but the association had an opportunity of getting on with the job, and it should take it. Mr F. Rudduck seconded the motion. Strong protests against the adoption of the Itchen street site were registered by country members of the association. They were of the opinion that the site was too far away from the business area of Oamaru. Mr W. C. Burdett said that if the motion were carried it would cause a split with the members, who had contributed nearly £2 for every £1 contributed in the town. Mr D. H. Scott expressed the opinion that all members should have the opportunity to vote on the issue by postal ballot. There were 1100 members in the association, and he did not think it right (hat the 300 who were present should decide the issue. Several other members present favoured a postal baliot. The opinion was expressed that before a ballot could be held an alternative site would have to be suggested, but when an opportunity was given for this to be done, no suggestion was forthcoming. It was suggested, however, that if the motion were carried it would be three or four years before a building could be erected because of the shortage of materials and the housing position. It was pointed out, however, that materials could be' obtained for commercial buildings. and therefore materials should be available for building R.S.A. club rooms. Mr Cuttrlss said that the failure of the association to go ahead with the club rooms had resulted in a split in its ranks. The 2nd N.Z.E.F. Association had opened club rooms, and the Services' Bowling Club was laying down a green. He suggested that if action were not taken there would be a greater division in the ranks. Manv alternative sites had been offered for ciub rooms, but none had been accepted. The right thing to do would he to come to a decision at the meeting. If the opportunity were taken the R.S.A. would rehabilitate itself in the eyes of the Oamaru public. ~ . Mr B. Allan said that he did not think the Itchen street site was the best that could be obtained a site nearer the centre of the town should be sought. Mr J C. Kirkness congratulated Dr Butler on bringing up the matter. He said that the Services Bowling Club would welcome the decision of the association (o build club roms at Itchen street. In reply to a question, those present were advised that the Meek street site was still available, but Mr Catto pointed out that this site was rejected at the last meeting of the association. It was suggested that the Borough Council could be approached to grant the use of the Kaiapoi Woollen Mill building for a temporary club room, and that more suitable areas might be available in a year or two. _ Mr J. D. Forbes said after the Great War there- was a rush of applications for membership to the association, but after a while the membership showed a considerable drop. He suggested that it nothing were done in the near future the same thing would occur. As an amendment to Dr Butler s < motion, Mr Nicholson moved: "That the question be deferred until the next quarterly meeting of the 'association, or a special meeting, when the whole night could be devoted to discussing the site for the club rooms.” , , , . Dr Butler, in his reply, said that his motion was not designed to cause any antagonism between town and country members, but to give , members an opportunity to make a decision. The majority of the country members had cars, and the area was only a step from the post office. . On being put to the vote, the amendment was lost and the motion was carried by an overwhelming majority.