THE SOLDIER'S CLUB

Southland Times, Issue 17792, 22 July 1916, Page 5

THE SOLDIER'S CLUB

DISCUSSION IN' TOWN COUNCIL. The following clause appeared in the Works Committee’s report which was discussed at Thursday’s meeting of the Town Council:—“ That having considered the application from the Soldiers’ Committee, and inspected the proposed site, at the comer of Clyde and Forth streets, and recommend that a site. ;{sft. frontage to Clyde street by 90ft. to Forth street, be granted for a memorial building to be used as Soldiers’ Club Rooms, the plans and specifications of the proposed building to be submitted to the Council for its approval, and the Club Committee to have the use of the site during the pleasure of the Council only, and to allow convenient access. Should the Club at any time become nonexistent the building to revert to the Council.” Chas. S. Longuet wrote stating that he was convinced that the proposal would be a great mistake. No doubt at present Club accommodation should be provided for the soldiers, but it was generally admitted that such woold not be required for any length of time, and the reason of now' asking seemed to be insecurity of tenure of the present premises. Surely the best way out of assisting was for the Corporation to secure a lease of the present or some other suitable premises by paying the rent for say five years, or if there was a determination to build why not use the property adjoining the Town Hall, or even purchase a suitable site, but not interfere with the reserves. J. Crosby Smith wrote stating that he thought it a pity to allow the reserves to be broken into for buildings that could be put up in other places. Tb* reserves were the lungs of the town, which before many years would be a Buildings for bowling greens and tennis clubs were quite different from the present purpose, as such clubs could not have their playing grounds on the main streets. There were other sites in the town, leasehold sections, belonging to the Corporation which would ba equally suitable for a soldiers’ club. He trusted the Council would not come to a hasty decision, but hold it over and see if there was no way out of the difficulty. Cr Lennie, in moving the adoption of the clause, said that the proposed building would be an ornament to the place, and once it was erected it would practically become Corporation property and an asset to the town. Arrangements might be made to have the downstairs portion used as a free reading room, as tbs Athenaeum was not sufQcently large for the purpose. He could see no reason why they should alter their minds in the matter. The necessary plans and specifications would be considered at some future meeting, and he thought it the right and proper thing to grant the concession. Cr Petrie seconded the motion, and said that Air Martin, of Wellington, had been written to for legal advice in the matter, and if no legal flaw was found they should grant the concession. In reply to Cr Dunlop, Cr Lennie said that the clause was subject to any legal requirements that might be necessary. Cr Lillicrap said that Parliament might have to give permission, but he did not think that Parliament would object to the proposal. The building would revert to the Council at some future date. He thought that the Hon. J. A. Hanan could have done something in the matter, and they should ask him to have a clause inserted in one of the Acts that were being passed. Or Bain said he understood that they would ask the Hon. J. A. Hanan to have a clause inserted in the Washing-up Bill. If that had not been done, the clause had better be referred back to the committee until word was received from Mr Martin. They might also wire Mr Hanan. He moved that the clause be referred back to the committee in order that the intentions of the Council might be given effect to. Cr Bain’s amendment was accepted by Cr Lennie, and carried.