SALE OF SPORTS HALL

Wanganui Chronicle, 17 October 1950, Page 2

SALE OF SPORTS HALL

Marton Players Put Their Side Of The Matter Sir, —In view o£ certain aspects o£ the press reports on the sale of the Sports Hall, and because of the interest shown by many people in the efforts made by the Marton Players to buy the Hall, I should be glad If you would publish in your columns the following observations, togethe; with the exact wording of the points made in our offer. A suggestion appears to have been made that the Marton Players, though asking for sympathetic treatment, had resorted to hints amounting to threats. This is a serious charge, for such methods are most unworthy and tasteful. No doubt the suggestion arises from point (d) below. We regret that the words were constructed in such a way. They were meant as an honest expression of opinion as near to fact as possible. Surely the members of the Marton Combined Sports are closely enough In touch with public opinion to know that at present their major project by no means commands the sympathy, and support of an overwhelming majority of the people of Marton. We suggested in all sincerity that their action tn this case must have a direct bearing, for good or ill, on the measure of public support it would receive. Executive members are stated to have said that this Society was prepared to sit back and let others do the work. I must point out that several people, now members of the Society, were among the most active workers who raised the funds originally. Moreover, for a Society to have done so much useful work in three years and then be prepared to raise 1600 can hardly be termed sitting back. The statement that the Marton Players wanted the Hall for their sole use is Incorrect. A deputation to the Sports Society had, at an earlier date, explained the general uses for which the Hall would be made available. These were numerous but excluded such activities as dancing, where a larger area of clear floor space would be required. It is also reported that the plans for the new building have actually been altered to include a stage etc. for use as a Little Theatre. This plan has been drawn up without consulting the people most vitally concerned in its design and may mean a considerable waste ot money. A Little Theatre, seating up to 120 as reported, compared with up to 250 as we had planned in the Sports Hall, would not be able to pay its way without doubling the usual charges for amateur shows. The following is a copy, as set out for consideration by the Marton Combined Sports Society, of the points in our letter offering £6OO for the purchase price of the Sports Hall.—l am, etc., N. V. RIX-TROTT, President, Marton Players. Marton, Oct. 13, 1950.

To The Secretary, Marton Combined Sports Inc., Marton. Dear Sir, re Purchase of Sports Hall: The Committee of the Marton Players has instructed me to advise you of Its Society's desire to purchase the Sports Hall. I should be glad if you would submit this letter to the Sport’s Council at the meeting to deal with the matter. The Marton Players offer the Marton Combined Sports Inc. the sum of £6OO cash as the purchase price of the Sports Hall. My Committee earnestly begs the members of the Combined Sports Council to keep in mind the following points when considering this offer either alone or together with any other tenders:

(a) The Society known as the Marton Players is doing work of a community nature and cultural value. Its work, therefore, comes fairly within the list of pursuits that were to be encouraged by the administrators of the funds which have been used in part for the purchase of the Sports Hall. (b) As far as is known, the Combined Sports Council has not yet devoted any of its funds to cultural activities. (c) Though the Society has a smallish membership, just over a hundred, it is a growing one, and enjoys a considerable amount of public sympathy and support. Indeed many people who contributed to the funds handled by Marton Combined Sports have taken a great interest in the Society’s efforts to get the Hall and have expressed the opinion that it deserves special consideration.

(d> A sympathetic and helpful attitude on the part of the Combined Sports at this juncture would do much to assure the members of the Marton Players and their supporters of the Combined Sports’ Committee's interest in the cultural side of community life with a consequently increased readiness on their part to assist the Combined Sports Council to bring to a successful conclusion their efforts Uobtain a subsidy towards the development of the Centennial Pari: area. A fairly strong opposition from the cultural side would make things difficult in this respect, yet it must be admitted that to date the only visible signs of the Combined Sports Society’s activities lies in the realms of sport. tc) As outlined by the deputation to the Combined Sports, the Society's needs for a Hall are pressing and immediate. It would be definitely interested in a proper theatre at tire Community Centre and would reaaily acknowledge this in the terms of the purchase. The Society would be agree, able to buy the Hall on the understanding that when the theatre was ready for use the Hall would be resold, with arrangements for any profit to revert to the Marton Combined Sports Scciety.—l am, etc.. The Marton Players. D. KIMPTON, Hon. Secretary. Marton. Oct. 10, 1950.