SPORT IN OTAKI

Chronicle (Levin), 7 October 1948, Page 3

SPORT IN OTAKI

■ . *«A.\ Scheme To Acquire Further Land Discussed

The scheme to - provide further sports areas in Otaki was advanced a further stage this week when the War Memorial Committee, members of numerous sports oi'ganisations and citizens met and discussed the proposal. The Mayor, Mr. C. F. Atmore, who presided over an atten'dance of 35, in outlining steps leading up to the calling of the meeting, advised that a recommendation had been made . requesting the council to acquire an area of land, and that the project become part of the Otaki War Memorial scheme. Mr. Atmore suggested that if the Memorial Committee was of the same opinion as the sports bodies, then ways and means of raising the necessary finance would require to be gone into. He invited comment from all present. Mrs. Alex. Wilson expressed the opinion that, while agreeing that sports grounds as suggested werei essential, the proposal should not form part of the- war memorial scheme, but should be approached froni the physical welfare angle. In reply, the chairman remarked that the Internal Affairs Department's plans for civic centres stipulated that recreational facilities should be a »art of any war memorial scheme, and without the help of the subsidy it would be too costly to finance. It was his opinion that the project should be part of the memorial scheme, as half the cost would then be available by way of sub- . sidy, always providing that the ! Internal Affairs Department approved of the scheme, which as yet was only in the preliminary stage. Mr. -H. Moffatt, • chairman of the, sports bodies committee that was) responsible for presenting the re ! port on the proposal t'o acquire lands, explained events leading up to the decision to recommend the scheme under discussion. His committee had no doubt that the area decided on offered great possibilities. "It liurts to have to sug- ; gest taking another man's land," added Mr. Moffatt, "but Otaki j must prepare for progress." He felt assured the owner would get full value and1 recommended that if there was a delay in the fulfilment5 of the plan, the owner be allowed the benefit of further use. His personal opinion was that a poll should be taken to decide the issue, as "my committee wants to see everyone ' backing this pro- > posal." j Mr. Moffatt supported amalga- 1 mating the two schemes, pointing out that maintenance costs would be greatly lessened. "The position of playing areas in and around Otaki today is hopeless," he added. Mr. Atmore assured Mr. Moffatt that all present were indebted to him and his committee for the' time and trouble they had spent in the matter, and expressed thanks for the report. _ Some at'tempt to estimate the possibie cost of areas was made. It was agreed that the land saies committee would protect all parti6]virs. Wilson repeated her -belief that the scheme should be divorced altogether from the war memorial project, and expressed ■the opinion that the eouncil should provide playing , areas. Mr. ' Atmore, as chairman of the War Memorial Committee, stated that he would like to strongly recommend; that one effort be made, and that a civic centre, as Q mpmnrial. would be admirable as

a centre for all sports activities. Mr. L. Moss stressed the urgent need for a hall and asked if some idea of the first cost could -be ari'ived a^, so that some steps could be taken to make a start without. added delay. Mr. j; MacLeod supported the idea- of all sports and other oi'ganisations gathered in the one area. "Then only half the cost will be out worry," he added. He felt confident the various bodies concerned would develop their own areas. Cr. H. W. Hakaraia supported, these views and stated that as there was no chance of seeuring a building permit at present, the first step should be to acquire the land. "It might not be available when wanted if the scheme is not proeeeded with now," he added. Messrs. H. Taylor, F. Brunnell, C. Pussell' and H. B. Edhouse spoke in support of one scheme, and on a motion being offered that the War Memorial Committee support the recommendation before the council, some delegates asked for a further opportunity to discuss the matter with their respective committees, and it was decided to meet again soon. Cr. G. McKinley voieed disappointment that discussions should be postponed, and thought that a decision could be arrived at at the present meeting. Mr. F. Edwards supported Mr. McKinley. Mr. R. T. Mortiboy and other speakers stated that they would not like to commit themselves without a further chance to consider the matter. This prompted the remark from Mr. T. V. Cahill, "I think we are like the Pamir, Mr. Chairman. We have become becalmed." It was agreed to meet again on Monday, October 18, the chairman expressing the wish that 100 per cent. support would result from the discussions. Following the above meeting the War Memorial Committee met and agreed to arrive at a decision by October 18. In the meantime, in response to an invitation, it is proposed on October 13 to visit and inspect both the sites reported on by the sports bodies committee.