HOME FOR WINTER SHOW PLANNED

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18642, 20 December 1928, Page 4

HOME FOR WINTER SHOW PLANNED

FROPOSAL TO ERECT LARGE BUILDING. The need of a large hall in the city for the purposes of the Winter Show and the Motor Olympia has been discussed generally on several occasions, especially as there is no certainty that these organisations can have the continued use of King Edward Barracks. Recently, a conference of the three interested bodies, the Agricultural and Pastoral Association, the Manufacturers’ Association and Olympia, Ltd., was held, and discussed a project to buy a block of land opposite the railway station. The report on 1 e conference was supplied to the Ge jral Committee of the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association at yesterday’s meeting. as follows: Delegates were of opinion that it was essential that such a building, to be successful, must be within easy distance of the centre of the city, and a number of offers of land were received, the one finding most favour being a section of two acres in extent opposite the Christchurch railway station. The price of the land is in the vicinity of £IO,OOO. and it was estimated that a building suitable for holding shcfws could be erected for from £15,000 to £20,000. This would cover an acre of land, or giving a quarter of an acre more covered space than King Edward Barracks. Representatives of the Manufacturers’ Association stressed the great savirfg which could be made by various shows at present using the barracks if they had not to erect their stands with such a rush. “ The method of finance suggested is that each of the three organisations should take 2000 £1 shares in the company to be formed, and to appeal to individual citizens to subscribe the other capital necessary by taking debentures. Representatives of the three organisations were asked to present the position to their associations and to report to a later meeting. It may be pointed out that Olympia, Ltd., has a substancapital sum available for an expenditure of this kind.” The committee decided to await the results of the last winter show before taking any action in the matter.

SHOW COMMITTEE. NO ACTION TAKEN. The proposal for a new building came up for discussion at the meeting of the executive of the Winter Show Committee yesterday afternoon. No action was taken. The chairman (Mr 11. Bradley) stated that about a dozen sites were offering for a large building which could be used by other associations for functions. Sports bodies were desirous of having some place where they could indulge in sport and carry on practice under cover. The speaker asked members for an expression of views regarding the proposed building. Mr F. Coop stated that the committee was set up to arrange only for one winter show, therefore it was not competent to take action on the question of a new building. The chairman: That is so, but we can carry the views of this meeting back to our separate organisations. Mr H. E. Fincham, president of the Agricultural and Pastoral Association, said that the association would not commit itself yet. “ Items in the balance-sheet will guide the Agricultural and Pastoral Association in its decision on the building question,” said Mr R. T. M’Millan. five will do. We can send them to local bodies,” urged the Mayor. His suggestion was adopted. A REMARK WITHDRAWN. The report of the Finance Committee contained a recommendation that in view of a necessary policy of retrenchment, three additional men' be dismissed from the works department, the inspector to be given one month’s notice, and that the hall caretaker be dispensed with, and his duties be carried out by the staff of the electricity department. • The special committee set up to consider the appointment of an actingtown clerk recommended that Mr R. Sarjeant be appointed and that he employ clerical help, not exceeding £6 per week: also that Mr Austin be asked to attend the next meeting of the Finance Committee. When Councillor Rankin stated that the committee had gone outside its order of reference. Councillor Hepburn replied that Councillor Rankin was only quibbling. Councillor Rankin: I object to Councillor Hepburn stating that I am only quibbling. We are going on facts, not fiction. Upon the Mayor stating that Councillor Hepburn's remark was not fitting, it was withdrawn. Then followed a cross-table argument between Councillor Malcolmson and Councillor Rankin as to whether the latter had said that an accountant should be engaged at a salary of £6. Councillor Rankin said that his statement, at a previous meeting, had been that an accountant should be brought Addressing the councillors personally, Councillor Malcolmson called for substantiation of his* statement regarding what Councillor Rankin had said. Most of those present stated that Councillor Rankin had made the statement attributed to him by Councillor MalcolmMr Sarjeant was appointed town clerk from January 5, 1929. PUTTING MEN OFF. Councillor Hepburn said that the idea was to take men off the outside staff and temporarily increase the office staff, in order that the work might be expedited. Councillor Ford: The council has got itself into a hell of a mess and doesn’t know where it stands. ‘ I object,” said Councillor Rankin. Councillor Ford: I have the floor, excuse me. Councillor Rankin has been a member of the Finance Committee and knew the trouble. “ I have been away for the last two months, during which the trouble has been,” returned Councillor Rankin. Councillor Ford: For over two years it has been brewing. The clerk stated that they would be spending only £2 a week more in salaries for the next two months. The rate notices had to be sent out, and they were four months behind with the work. The Mayor stated that it might be false economy to put off the men. The council had got itself into its present state by over-spending on metal, of which there was plenty' in the yard on which to employ- the men at remedying the disgraceful state of the footpaths. Then followed a debate between Councillor 11. Gudsell and the Mayor as to the amount of metal in the yardBy five votes to four the Finance Committee's report was adopted, with the exception of the recommendation for dismissal of the inspector.

Ftirther correspondence included the resignation of the hall caretaker, which was accepted with regret.