SHOW BUILDINGS SITE

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 47, 19 November 1926, Page 6

SHOW BUILDINGS SITE

TERMS APPROVED BY CITY COUNCIL LEGISLATIVE AUTHORITY TO BE OBTAINED Conditions upon which the Winter Show Association may erect buildings on the Town Belt at Hutcheson Road were approved by the City Council yesterday in accordance with a report by a special committee. The discussion on the report was taken in private, on the understanding that an open discussion would come later.

When the matter came before the City Council at a special meeting yesIcrdav, Councillor 11. D. Bennett taid that he thought that the report should Ixs considered in committee rs there were certain aspects of it that i eeded consideration betore it went cut to tie public. Councillor R. McKeon protested agains' going into .committee on a matter which concerned some four cr five acres of the city reserves, inly <’ue section away from the heart <f the city. There had been a good deal of trouble lately and the public nad been complaining that they did not get sufficient information on matters concerning the reserves. He was not ’pposed to the Winter Show Association having a piece of laud, but be thought the citizens should lie safeguarded, so that they could criticise for or against the proposal. The Acting-Mayor (Hon. R. A. Wright) said that after looking closely into (he report he thought there were points iu it that had better lie taken in committee first. There would be plenty of time to discuss it afterwards in open council.

Councillor R. Semple thought there were underlying principles in the matter that favoured the subject being taken in open council. ’."lie Winter Show Association was going to attempt something that was for the public benefit, and he thought that by talking the matte) over in the open they would remove false impressions both tioni the City Council's and the Show Association's points of view. Before he voted he wanted an assurance (hat the .natter would be discussed in the pen after, it had bec.i considered in committee

The Acting-Mayor: Ycui .an’t prevent it. When it is moved that the business clone in committee be confirmed it is the privilege of any councillor to discuss the thing .from Ato Z. Nothing can stop it. Councillor H. D. Bennett said that it would not prejudice cither the City Council or the Show Association to take the matter in eomm'ttee. Councillor G. A. Troup, who raid that he was heart and soul with the Winter Show Association, held that it would bo for the benefit of the council as well as the association io consider the matter in the open. On the motion to go,into committee, a division wns called for. The result was that the motion was carried by fi votes to 5. The division was as follows :— Ayes: Councillors Wright, IT. D. Bennett. W. IT. Bennett, Burn, Huggins ancl Thompson. Noes; Councillors Glover, McKeen, Meadowcroft, Semple ancl Troup. SPECIAL COMMITTEE'S REPORT DETAILS OF CONDITIONS IMPOSED , At the conclusion of the meeting in committee, the Press representatives were supplied with the follow’ng report: “The committee have to report that they leave carefully considered the conditions upon which the Winter Show Association may erect buildings on the Town Belt at Hutchison Road us submitted by the city solicitor, and recommend that same be approved with amendments: "1. The council will at the next session of Parliament promote legislation to give effect to the provisions of this arrangement. "2. The council will permit the Winter Show Association with moneys provided by the association to construct an exhibition hall and grounds on an area of between four and five acres of the Town Belt near Hutchison Road. “3. All buildings bad bo erected In conformity with the plan submitted to and approved by the council or in conformity with such altered plan as the council may hereafter approve. “I. All excavation works and laying out of grounds, fencing, and other collateral work shall be constructed and carried out in accordance with plans approved by the council and to the satisfaction of the council. “5. The council shall be under no financial or contractual obligations in respect of any works carried out on the site.

“6. (1) All work to be carried out alia!! be carried out by contract with the association. Every e-tch contract must be approved after execution by the council under seal. (2) No such contract shall be entered into by the association or approved by the council unless the project is properly and completely financ-

cd by the association, and the association's bankers undertake by deed to the satisfaction of the council that the association’s financial obligations under every such contract will be met by the association as these obligations arise. “7. The only right of occupation given to the association will be the right to use the said buildings and grounds for entertainment purposes on 100 successive days in each year, and on such other occasions as the cot ncil shall from time to time by resolution permit. “8. The council shall, subject to the rights given under clause 7 hereof, have the right to use the building free of charge on the other days of the year subject to the following conditions:— (1) That no shows or exhibitions which are tu competition with the functions of the association shall be permitted by the Corporation without the consent of the, association, but that the Corporation shall be the sole judge as to which of such shows or exhibitions is in competition with such functions; (2) that if the council makes any charge for the use of the building or grounds at any time when the same is not in use by the association the net profits shall be devoted to repayment of, principal moneys borrowed under this arrangement by the association in connection with contracts for the works hereby authorised until all such principal moneys are repaid; (3) that the charges to be made for use of the building shall be fixed by the council. “9. That the association shall use not less than ,£5OOO of the funds to its credit on August 31, 1926, for the purpo-cs of the yorks authorised under this arrangement.

"10 That until all moneys borrowed by the association under this arrangement have been repaid all revenue received by the association shall from and after this arrangement has received statutory approval be applied as follows: First, In meeting the ordinary expenses of the association includin'.’ expenses of management, repair of building, maintenance of grounds, furniture, fittings, etc.; secondly, in meeting the interest on any moneys not exceeding /£42.<MKI borrowed by the association at a rate of interest not exceeding 8 per cemt. per annum; thirdly, in carrying out any contracts or works authorised by this arrangement; fourthly, in making provision for the meeting of the principal moneys borrow, ed at (he date of maturity of loans by sinking funds or other forms of investment.

“11. That the control of the building and grounds shall be vested in the council. but that the council shall have power to delegate al) its functions including the appointment of manager, staff agents ano employers to a cowmitshall be councillors appointed by the council and the rest shall lie persons appointed by the council on the nomination of the association, but that the council shall not be bound to appoint any such nominee and may, if it thinks fit. remove any member of the committee.

“12. That the council shall have thn right to fix charges for admission by resolution and that if the council delegates its functions to such committee, such committee shall have the right to fix such charges with the approval of the council. “13. That after al) moneys borrowed by the association under this arrangement have been paid off, the following provision shall apply: (1) The buildings and grounds constructed under this arrangement shall be insured, maintained and repaired by the association at the expense of the association, but that the association shall be under no other obligation in respect of the building; (2) the corporation may retain any moneys received by it for the use of the ground or buildings at times when the same are not allocated to the, use of the association, such moneys shall be expended only for the purposes of the city’s recreation reserves.” Some Important Additions The council decided that the conditions he approved, but that no steps bo taken to give effect to the proposals until such time as legislative authority is obtained; and that all debentures issued contain on their face a statement to the effect that debenture holders shall have no claim on the City Council or its revenue, such provision to he included in the text of the proposed empowering BBL , , ' The council also added, as an expression of opinion, that the Show Association Committee should raise the sum of JCIO.OOO free money Wore embarking on the proposed work; and further, that the lav-out and maintenance of the grounds after the lay-out be under the general supervision of the Director of Parks and Reserves.