Report Presented To Otaki Borough Council

Chronicle (Levin), 14 August 1948, Page 2

Report Presented To Otaki Borough Council

A comprehensive scheme to provide faci'lities for the ever-growing requirements of sports bodies was submitted to the Otaki Borough Council this week by a committee repiesentative of 13 sports organisations in Otaki. The discussion which followe'd the presentation of the report reveaied a desire by the council to furnish added facilities for the everincreasing number of sports bodies and kindred organisations in and adjacent to Otaki. Explaining the reason for the attendance of a deputation represenling the Otaki Scouts and Band the Mayor, Mr. C. F. Atmore, stated that on March 15, he had called a meeting of sports bo'dies. A committee had been set up to report to the council its decisions regarding the immediate requirements and possible future . development of all sports organisations. The site which it had been agreed could be made available to the scouts and the band had come under review, and it had been suggested that this matter be waived untii after the report now submitted had been fully considered. THE REPORT The report read as follows:— "Following an invltation by the Otaki Borough Council to meet representatives of various sports organisations, delegates from the following sports bodies met the Mayor and council on March 15: Otaki Football Ciub, Rahui FootbaJ Club, Horowhenua Hockey Association, Raukawa Ladies' Hockey Club, [Rahui Ladies' Hockey Club, Rahui | Men's Hockey Club, Otaki Men's | Hockey Cmb, Aces Basketball Ciub, Raukawa Ba*ketball Ciub, Otaki Baseball Club Otaki Amateur Athletic and Cycling Club, Otaki Tenliis Club and Otaki Criclcet C.uu. After a lengthy and general discussion, a committee was elected, with Mr. H. Moft'att as convener, to report. to the council on the immediate requirements and future development of all sports activities. Scheme No. 1: Following a meet- . ing on March 21 on the site at the b'ack of the State houses in Riverbank Road, this site, together with part of Ryder Brothers' farm and a p'ece of lan'd occupied by Mr. W. McBeth, the committee considers suitaole for all future requirements. Scheme No. 2: It was also agreed to view the present domain and consider a scheme of expanding through the properties occupied by Messrs. H. Taylor and R. M. D'Ath, and Maori land occupied by the Mahima family in MU Road. It was found that this area-wou.d not serve in the interests of the public ,and future development of sports generally, as weil as scheme No. 1. "Our preliminary survey tock into consideration as comprehensively as possible the immediate and future needs of the following ofganisations: Rugby football clubs, men's and women's hockey ciubs, baseball, basketball, cricket, tennis and bowling clubs, amateur athietic and cycling clubs, horse sports club Otaki trotting club, Otaki Brass Band, life-saving and swimming club, volunteer fire brigade corhpetitions, girls' marching teams girl guides, boy scouts, rifle clubs: returned services' association, education and' recreational requirements, drama circle and play-read- ■ ing clubs, and a multiple type of memorial hall. "With such a responsibility, and giving thought to the needs of the town and district, we have unanimously come to the conclusion in favour of No. 1 scheme. The land already described therein approximates 25 to 35 acres, and we suggest in the interests of Otaki generally that these lands be immediately acquired for recreation purposes, and as a community centre for civic and cultural purposes." COUNCIL DISCUSSION Discussing the report, Cr. H. W. Hakaraia expresse.d himself as being in favour of No. 1 scheme. "The scheme appeals to me to be very favourable. It is.time for us to go

ahead as the present' domain is f ar too small." xHe considered a committee should be set up at once. Mr. Atmore. considered the matter a very big one, and that a ,hasty decision could not be arrived at. Cr. Retter agreed that the present domain was far too .small, and that , ihore land should be acquired. Cr. G. McKinley favoured calling la public meeting and submitting 'the scheme for full consideration. This was supported by Cr.. E. J. Cook, and it was resolved that a public meeting be called in a month Ito 'discuss the report. i Cr. Hakaraia considered a month | too long, and added that a former council had lost opportunihes ■ through not making decisions ' earlier. Land that had been considered desirable had now been ploughed up, he added. It was a matter for regret that the very successful horse sports club function, held recently, was taken out of town because the council was not making provision for such functions. Mr. Atmore considered a month would give all organisations sufficient time. to fully discuss the matter. "We want to be sure that all clubs support the scheme," he concluded. In reply to a question it was stat'ed that it would not be possible to 1 dispose of the present domain. 1 .