Much Data Required Before Govt. Approves Community Centre

Wanganui Chronicle, 9 November 1949, Page 2

Much Data Required Before Govt. Approves Community Centre

Advice that the Government would subsidise £1 for £1 approved Community Centres on the condition that the local authority undertakes to raise half the cost of the centre, was received by the Marton Combined Sports Society at its monthly meeting on Monday night from the Internal Affairs Department. The letter was in reply to the society's request to the department, ask. ing for an elucidation of the Government’s new policy of subsidising community centres other than war memorials, and inquiring whether the subsidy was limited. After members had considered the department’s statement, it was decided to convene a special meeting early next year of all organisations in the Rarigitikei district likely to be interested in the establishment of a community centre. In the meantime various bodies, including the Marton Borough Council, are to be circulated with the society's proposals, explaining what the society has done in the past and giving an explanation for the delay in the building programme at Centennial Park. This late step was thought necessary in view of certain criticism the public has levelled at the society concerning several projects. During the discussion on the Government’s statement setting out the steps that should be taken in submitting a community centr e building proposal to the Government for approval of a subsidy, it was hinted that it would be necessary to go to the public again for money to finance the major undertaking. In deciding whether any scheme could be called a community centre, the Government would be guided by the extent to which the centre would provide for the community as a whole, cultural, recreational and social activities not otherwise adequately provided, the statement read. Before any application for approval of the scheme for a subsidy was lodged, a thorough survey should be made to find out: (a) Boundaries and centre of the community taking into account, so far as possible, future development; (b) what facilities already exist in the district and how adequate these are for cultural, recreational and social activities; (c) how the centre will function to meet the cultural, recreational and social needs of the community.

With the application to the department, the following additional data is to be provided: '.a) Information as to the population of the community to be served by the centre; (b) sketch plan of the proposed centre; (c) locality plan or aerial photo showing: (1) Area which th e centre will serve; (2) position of the centre; (3) present cultural, recreational, and social facilities; (d) information regarding existing facilities, who they are owned by and what they are used for; (e) the authority or body in whom the centre will be vested and what provision is being made to ensure that the centre will b e used by all sections of the community; (f) how it is intended to finance the establishment and maintenance of the centre; (g) evidence in support of local organisations, who will use th e centre. “There's nothing to say there is a subsidy limit," commented the acting chairman, Mr. R. Williams. “The statement covers pretty well what we have in mind. Now is the time to find out what organisations are interested in the community centre.” It was left to the secretary and Mr Williams to draft out a suitable letter to the various organisations. HAWKE CUP ELIMINATION FIXTURES ANNOUNCED. Rangitikei has been drawn to play W- -ipa in a Hawke Cup elimination match. Should Rangitikei emerge victorious, it lias been allotted the third challenge match against the holders. This latter fixture will be played at New Year. Fixtures for the Hawke Cup matches were announced yesterday by the NewZealand Cricket Council. Rangitikei last played Wairarapa during the 1945-46 season and as this match was played at Masterton, there is a strong possibility of this season’s elimination fixture being decided at Marton. In view of the fact that the match against the holdem is to be played at New Year, the elimination match will probably be staged next month. The first challenge match is between Hutt Valley (holders) and Manawatu, and the winners of this game will play Waikato in the second challenge. The other elimination matches are: Marlborough v. Nelson, Bay of Plenty v. Hawke’s Bay, and Wanganui V. Taranaki. CRICKET LECTURE. Of interest to all cricketers should be the lecture and demonstration on the laws of the game to be given by the former New Zealand representative. Mr. R. Worker, in the Sports Hall, Marton, tomorrow evening. Mr. Worker has a fund of knowledge and his experience in various provincial teams and in the New Zealand team should ensur e that he is a competent cricketer to pass on valuable hints to players. It is to be hoped that all players in Rangitikei will make an effort to attend Mr. Worker’s address tomorrow evening as it is an excellent opportunity for those wanting to improve their knowledge of the game. Mr. Worker is to deal with umpiring in particular. PERSONAL. Mr. R. W. Harris, Marton, recently passed his C examination in. engineering (civil) and is now eligible for registration by the Engineers’ Registration Board. Rev. N. Williams was the speaker at the Marton Rotary Club’s weekly meeting on Monday night, his subject being the work of C.0.R.5.0. Mr. Williams read extracts from news letters from Rewi Alley. AERIAL TOP-DRESSING. The first demonstration- of aerial top-dressing in the Rangitikei district is likely to be conducted between Ohingaiti and Mangaonoho in the near future. An outline of progress made by the Hunterville branch of Federated Farmers in arranging the demonstration was given to the Wellington central provincial executive of Federated Farmers by Mr. J. L. Lambert on Monday. It was hoped to have 150 tons of fertiliser available and it would be spread by small aircraft belonging to a Gijborne company, operating from faints in the area, said Mr. Lambert. Makeshift runways would probably be provided at Ohingaiti and Mangaonoho. He indicated that the probable cost to the farmer might be about 35s an acre.