REST AND PLUNKET ROOMS

Opotiki News, Volume I, Issue 68, 10 August 1938, Page 3

REST AND PLUNKET ROOMS

CONFERENCE LAST Nl'jHT PROPOSALS DISCUSSED , : ——- • . PROBLEM OF SITE Representatives of the Opotiki County (Jouneil, 'Opotiki Borough Council, Women’s Division .of. tlie Farmers’ Onion-, Womcuds Institutes and the PJunkct Society , attended a conference which was held . in the Borough Chambers last night. Those present' were; The -Mayor, Mr G. -S. Moody , (in • tiie chair). . Councillors, F. J. Short, A. G. Stevenson, F. W. Bridgorj C. Brown, S. E. Webb, T. G. Johnson, G. L. Day (Borough Council), w. A . Gault (Comity chairman), C. ' Black, R. A. Hod ley (County Council), Mesdumes A. Martin, M. K. Debreceny,’ A. J. Hollard, C. Black, W. 6. Beattie, N. V. Hodgson. The town clerk f-M> W. H. Briggs), was also present. /; The chairman thanked the ladies for their attendance and .stated that the borough council had. tried iiarcl to put through the major scheme incorporating the required rooms but this had been turned down. He would like to have-the .opinions of all those present and; there were many things to he considered. The two councils had a section iii- Church -Street- Which he thought would, be'.very suitable for the suggested rest and. Piunket rooms. Mir W. A* Gault said that apart from the financial position the county council had no authority to spend money outside the county. They had a limit of £IOO for 'unauthorised expenditure. He thought- the individual ratepayers would lie quite prepared to assist financially; ■ Mr G,. L’ Day asked .Ah Gault if the county would grant the land for the buildings. ; - Mr Gault- said it was a matter that would have to come -before the* county council; . - Mil's Beattie expressed the opinion that the -provision of the suggested rooms was a matter for the borough council which should cater for the country people. Mrs Debreceny said she coui.l not 'agree with ■ that opinion and considered it was very much, the county’s responsibility .as well as the borough’s responsibility. . Speaking on behalf of the motoring people, she said that the position at present was a very di'h- . cult one. ' .

All's Martin said that some years ago they had waited on the council in connection with the matter. She stated that visitors to the town were disgusted with the present conveniences. The room used at present as a, Plunket room was too dangerous. She assured the meeting that the women’s organisations were anxious to help. “Air Johnson said all were agreed the suggested scheme was essential. Airs N. V. Hodgson referred to the work of tliCi Plunket Society in the district and said they had no money to build a. Plunket room. The present facilities ere totally inadequate to provide for the. oO to GO mothers

who attended with children. •Mr Bridger said that mothers w.ould want to use the Plunket room on other'clays besides the fortnightly visit of the nurse. He thought the cost should be equally divided between the two local bodies. Mr Stevenson said lie felt the county council; should co-operate as far as the section was concerned. The borough should pay for the ouildiug and they should make; a good job of it. lie thought the ladies should help in flip furnishing of the- rooms.

Me Day said the whole matter appeared to be one of cost.

Mr Hedley said the county representatives could not agree to anything, as it would he necessary to put proposals befoye the whole council.

Mr Short referred to the efforts lie had made over a long period to get proper conveniences for the town and said lie was very interested in the proposals., The present conveniences were disgraceful and' they should have something which would lie a credit to the town. The building should he erected according to financial abilities. They should build something that would last for many years and be a credit to the town. They did not want something that would have To be pulled down in a few years, in regard- to the cost he felt the borough should provide the conveniences'. The county council should help by handing over the section. They should look upon the matter from a. community point of view and try and all work together.

Mi- Black said the borough council should be congratulated on calling the meeting. Opotikji had been lacking in facilities. He thought control ol the rooms the most important thing. With a more up-to-date scheme they would have 1 something to service to the people and this would give incentive for better care of the rooms. Mr Short said he could show the plans of the town hall scheme which incorporated the suggested rooms. Mr Short then left the meeting and returned a few minutes later with the plans which were perused by the ladies.

The Mayor suggested that a committee he formed, representing the two councils and the women’s organisations to go into a, scheme and secure plans and estimates of the cost- and report hack to another meeting. Mr -Gault- said that-as -the borough council had sponsored the scheme they should: get- up proper plans and estimates. Ho did not think the meeting could do anything further that night. Mi* Stevenson suggested that the chairman of the county council call ameeting of his council and go into the matter of t-lie section.

Mr- Gault pointed out the difficulty of getting the council together before a monthly meeting and held out no hope of such a special meeting. Mrs Debreceny asked what would bd required of the women’s organisations. The ladies would have some ol their own plans. Mrs Martin said the ladies would do anything they possibly could to assist.

Mr Day said it- seemed the firsttiling to do was to see if the count} council would grant their section.

Mr Bridger considered that the borough council would have to laise £'looo by loan. The annual payment for interest and sinking fund would he about ’£4s. He suggested the borough council, county council and women’s organisations find the animal -payment. Mr Stevenson said he agreed with Mi- Day that the- chief matter was the question of a section. He considered the proposed site was the only place in the borough that was suitable. Mr Black said it would be necessary to have some plan to put heioie the county council. Mr Stevenson said he was sure the borough council would find the money. Mr Brown asked the county yrepresentatives to keep in mind the fact that the proposal was chiefly lor the benefit of the county people. Mr Heel ley said lie d'idi not- see that the question of a. section should hold up the scheme. Mr Day said that in hi* opinion if the county council did not assist by handing over the land it showed a narrow point of view. Mr Stevenson then moved that another meeting be held on the 6th. September, after the next county council meeting. Seconded hv Mrs Martin and carried. The chairman then thanked representatives lor attending, particularly the ladies for coming out on such a stormy night. y Mrs Martin thanked the ijlayor for his remarks and the meeting/ concluded with a -vote of thanks to tjhe chair.