Committee Seeks Action On Town Hall Site

Press, Volume C, Issue 29498, 27 April 1961, Page 14

Committee Seeks Action On Town Hall Site

Lack of progress by the Christchurch City Council in obtaining a site for the town hall is regarded with concern by Town Hall Promotion, and in an endeavour to assist the council and press for more enthusiasm and action in the project, it, has appointed three representatives to collaborate with the council. This decision was made last evening by Town Hall Promotion’s general committee, which rescinded a motion carried last year declining, until the site was obtained, a council request to appoint representatives. The committee, however, has instructed its representatives not to advocate any particular site in their discussions with the council. The representatives are Messrs C. L Martin. W. J. Cartwright, and C. B. Wells.

Since he had returned from overseas recently, it seemed there was some doubt where the town hall was to be situated, said Mr George Guy. He understood the council had decided on the site long ago, but statements in the newspapers made it seem that the issue was still open and alternatives were being considered. "The site has been fixed, but it appears that many citizens do not realise it.” said the chairman (Mr Martin). “When we started out on this project we issued a brochure, and on it we indicated with an arrow the site for the town hall. We knew that even as far back as 1958."

A member: But is it fixed? I believe someone on the council was considering a public poll. Miss Nancy Northcroft asked whether it was proper for Town Hall Promotion to associate itself with the question of particular sites. “Our main object is to get the town hall built. The site in Cambridge terrace is at present resolved, and I don’t

think we need to take that matter up, but the council would probably welcome three representatives to help to direct it in its thoughts on other problems associated with the project." The committee had already advised the council that it would not appoint representatives until the site was settled.. said Mr J. F. Skeeden. There was no change in the situation since that decision had been made, so the committee should not consider changing its policy. Miss Northcroft: We are getting nowhere fast. Unless we appoint someone with enthusaism to represent our views to the council we will get nothing done. “Unusual Tribute"

He did not think the question of the site had any direct bearing on whether representatives should be appointed to the council, said Mr B. H. Paton. “It is an unusual tribute to a body such as ours when we are approached by a city council to send representatives, and the only way to achieve the best results is to combine efforts and plans as much as possible with the council. “I agree that this organisation should not develop into an evangelistic organisation for any one site, but I think we should have accepted the council’s offer to appoint representatives in the first place,” said Mr Paton. Mr D. W. Bain said that Town Hall Promotion had set out with the avowed intention of avoiding entanglements on the site issue. "If we are to continue to avoid entanglements we must keep away from the council I presume that there is only one problem at present before the council, and that is solving the impasse which has arisen over the site. The point is that the site has yet to be obtained."

Representatives could not join the council without being involved in issues of the

site, Mr Bain said. The responsibility of the council was to select and obtain the site, and after that was achieved, it was then the time for Town Hall Promotion to step in. Things would shortly be arising in the council to which representatives of Town Hall Promotion would be able to make a valuable contribution, said Mr H. G. Hay. “I think the confusion in the minds of the public has arisen over arrangements for the site. Mr Bain has said there is no change in the situation since we originally declined the council’s offer, but I think there is a change. We now have our amended target of £lOO.OOO, and we are now no longer concerned with fund raising. There are probably many other matters pertaining to the town hall in which we can assist, and I don’t think we can achieve much by standing aloof.” Mr Skedden: The way we re going well never get a site. The representatives could absent themselves from the council discussions when the matter of a site came up, suggested Miss Northcroft. don,t want to suggest Miss Northcroft is an ostrich, but we are burying our heads in the sand if we say we can have representatives on the council and yet not take part in discussions on the site.” said Mr Bain. “It would be a fantastic situation. Why not wait until the site is properly settled and then appoint representatives?” A motion that the motion of October 17 last be rescinded and that delegates be appointed to collaborate it ?.u the J City Council. but that they do not advocate any particular site, was then carried.