SHOWGROUNDS SITE

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 11, Issue 40, 13 June 1947, Page 5

SHOWGROUNDS SITE

FUTURE IMPROVEMENTS MOVE BY BOROUGH The Whakatane Borough Council decided on Monday to appoint Crs S. S. Shapley, C. S. Armstrong and L. R. Spring to meet the A. and P. Association Committee regarding a lease of the Domain showground and to bring down a report at next meeting of the council. Somewhat of a “bombshell” was a letter before the council from the Under-secretary of the Department •of Lands and Survey which stated:

“The Winter Show people have proposed moving their building to the Domain site now leased by the A. and P. Association. The combined bodies are asking a lease of an extended area for a term of 21 years. Against Department’s Policy “It is against the policy of the de- » partment to permit the erection of any building on public domain land other than those required for recreational purposes, such as pavilions, bandstands, etc. “To enable the erection of the Winter Show building special legislation would be required, and I can say that in the normal course of events it is scarcely likely that Parliament will agree to it.

“I am given to understand that “there is an area of freehold land ■close to the Domain which would be suitable for the association’s building. I suggest that it would be a wiser plan if the' combined associations were to acquire it for their building.” This land is across the road from the Domain. Comment by Councillors Councillors considered that the scheme to amalgamate the two show societies and remove the Winter Show Buildings would be hindered if the department adhered to its refusal to allow the buildings to be re-erected on domain land. The Mayor, Mr B. S. Barry: It is rather a body blow. Cr H. G. Warren said the building was used for recreational purposes apart from the brief period of the show.

Cr J. Creeke urged caution before the council took any step which might reduce the area of the Domain available to the public'at all times. Cr Warren replied that the public would still have access to the showground although it was leased. Cr W. Sullivan said the matter of -amalgamating the two show associations and erecting suitable buildings had been thought out for a long period, and now was the time to go ahead and build up a joint association. He recalled how the proposal had first been raised, how the A. and P. Society had moved its show from Taneatua and how the intervention of the war had held up the possibility of moving the buildings to the Domain. He urged councillors not to do anything to hold up the .scheme. Speaking as a member of the Winter Show Association he considered it was his duty to bring about amalgamation. A lease of the showground would not preclude anybody else from using the area for general sports. If the two associations amalgamated they could develop the grounds so as to have the best show in the Bay of Plenty. Must Be Unanimous It was important that opinion in the district should be unanimous, said Cr Sullivan. If people were not in agreement the department would not approve any proposal. Cr Sullivan cited the case of the Gisborne Showgrounds as an example of what a well-appointed showground could be like. Cr A. J. Canning urged every •councillor to stand behind the show asociations. The idea officials had •was to erect a grandstand which would be useful not only for show ■day but for football and other sports. Cr S. S. Shapley agreed with the need for developing the Domain but stressed that the council had a duty *to see that the camping site was preserved and not encroached on.

A motion appointing a committee to confer with the show officials •was then approved.