DOUBTS ABOUT THE WINTER SHOW BUILDING

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 15, Issue 92, 6 September 1950, Page 4

DOUBTS ABOUT THE WINTER SHOW BUILDING

(Contributed) Statements made at a recent public meeting prove that there is a great deal of misunderstanding concerning the proposal of the Winter Show Association to donate the proceeds of the sale of the winter show building to the newly set up War Memorial Committee.

To understand the matter fully it is necessary to study the whole history of the Winter Show Hall.

The hall was built abodt 25 years ago and at that time it filled a long felt need. The Show needed a hall for only a week. Since its erection, the Winter Show Hall has been virtually the Town Hall of the Borough. In it, dances, sports, boxing matches, carnivals and function of all sorts have been held. The Winter Show Association itself has had a difficult time. Since the large expenditure on the building of the hall, the Association together with the •rest of the community has encountered two world depressions, the second World War apd a power shortage. All of these events have created difficulties for the Winter show Association. The slumps reduced the earnings of both the Show itself and the hall. During the second World War and for some time afterwards, shows were suspended and it was not until 1949 that they were revived. In that year a power shortage was encountered and to hold a show an emergency power plant had to be purchased at a cost of about £9OO. Without it no show would have been/ possible in 1949, 1950 or for some years to come.

Troubles The Show has had its troubles and about 15 years ago, it encountered financial difficulties, and had to appeal to. the public for assistance which was readily forthcoming.

The holding of the Show is only one portion of the use to. which the show hall is put. Mny years ago proposals were put forward and even pressed to .have the present building moved to the Domain. This has never been done perhaps because the funds to do it were never available.

For years the Winter Show Association has owed money to the bondholders most of whom are members of the Winter Show Association. This year, owing to a very successful show all the bondholders can be paid off and now for the first time in years the Association is free of debt. Too Small Now of- course it is realised that the hall is too small for the growing needs of the Show and it is also too inconvenient and in the wrong place for a social hall for the town. At this time it is obvious that the town must have a more spacious

hall. The Winter Show Association is in a financial position to enlarge its hall, or sell it and build a new one in another part of the town. This would not be advisable if a War Memorial Community Hall is to be built by Whakatane citizens. The Winter Show needs a hall for only a week every year, citizens need one all the year round. On the face of it, it looks like a case for a joint effort. Now that the Winter Show Association has decided to sell its hall property, it will probably realise £6OOO cr more. This sum invested at 3 per cent would realise £IBO a year. With this sum the Winter Show Association could hire any hall which may be built in the town for the period necessary to hold a Show. The offer made by the Winter Show Association is therefore a very generous one and it is amazing that any well-informed person could quibble about it. Regrettable

It is regrettable that when the Winter Show Association’s generous offer was placed before a public meeting, the citizens there present did not accept the offer gracefully.

The assets of the Winter Show and the subsidy they would carry amount to at least £IO,OOO and a gift horse of that value should not be looked in the mouth. ,

Meanwhile the thanks of all citizens are due to the older members of the Winter Show Association, whose work through good years and bad, have built up the assets and prestige which has enabled the Winter Show Association to offer valuable help to the War Memorial Committee.