“SOMEONE SUPPED”

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20107, 29 November 1939, Page 12

“SOMEONE SUPPED”

EXHIBITION COURT GISBORNE’S DISPLAY “ONLY PASSING NOTICE” REGRET IN AUCKLAND NO FURTHER ACTION Further reference to Gisborne's part ill the Dominion court in the Centennial Exhibition was made at last night’s meeting of the Gisborne Borough Council, when correspondence was read to and from the Auckland Provincial Committee on the matter, and at the close of a brief discussion the council decided to lake no further action. The council discussed the matter a fortnight ago following an article in the Herald under the heading of “Costly Photo,” and decided to get into touch with the Auckland committee. Accordingly the town clerk, Mr. W. M. Jenkins, wrote asking for an explaantion.

The town clerk’s letter conveyed the council’s keen disappointment with the meagre representation of Gisborne and the surVouiiding district in the Dominion Court at the Centennial Exhibition in return for the contribution totalling £531 from the district.

“You will recall,” the letter stated, “that when my council was first approached by your committee to participate it declined. Subsequently the chairman of your finance committee, Mr. Nathan, and the architect, Mr. Walker, waited upon representatives of local bodies in this district and explained in detail the proposed display, showing the district, its products and attractions in model form. The picture painted by your representatives was, us far as my council was concerned, a deciding factor in its agreeing to contribute its quota towards the cost of the Auckland Provincial Court.

Amazement Expressed

“I had the privilege to attend the official opening of the Exhibition on November 8, and, needless to say, made a special point of viewing the New Zealand Court and in particular the Auckland Provincial Court. I was amazed to find that this district’s representation consisted of an illuminated photograph of a portion of the town of Gisborne only set in its geographical position. There was also a small placard on which was displayed the words, ‘Cattle-raising.’ I presume this was intended to indicate the chief industry of this district. “Surely this is a reflection on one of the finest districts in the Dominion, producing in addition to cattle the finest quality wool, mutton, lamb, maize, fruit and the world-renowned Poverty Bay ryegrass. “Auckland City’s representation did not appear to have been curtailed in any way, and attracted considerable attention, whilst this end of the province called for no more than passing notice.

“I would remind you that I went to considerable trouble and expense in supplying your architects with all the information requested in the way of plans, photographs of public buildings, shipping, and also some very fine specially-taken views of the town and district, infinitely better than the illuminated photograph displayed in the provincial court. “I am sure that when the residents generally of this district have had an opportunity of visiting the exhibition, they, too, will voice their disappointment and criticism in no uncertain manner. Shortage of Funds “I met Mr, Allum, the chairman of your committee, whilst in Wellington, and expressed to him my disappointment, and on inquiring the reason for the curtailing of our representation was informed that your committee was short of funds through some local bodies in the province not contributing their quota.

“My council would like to know why this important district should suffer when its quota had been met. I think I can safely say that as far as this district is concerned any requests in future for participation in matters affecting 'the Auckland province will receive very searching consideration before being acceded to.

“I trust that your committee will endeavour in some manner te give this district the prominence it deserves and full value for its contribution towards the Auckland Provincial Court.”

Auckland’s Reply

The Auckland Provincial Committee replied at length and expressed regret that Gisborne was disappointed. “I am sorry to learn that certain residents of your district are disappointed regarding the featuring of Gisborne,” the letter stated. “Any failure to deal adequately with Gisborne is a failure to deal adequately with the Auckland district, and we are equally concerned with you in any such complaints. “I should explain, however, that some months ago it was found that skilled workers were not available to model all the secondary centres, and some modification of the original plan was necessary on this account rather than on a shortage of funds. The idea of substituting transparencies for models of the secondary centres was then gone into, and the transparency of Gisborne was prepared, which a meeting of the central committee endorsed.

“At the same time, at the suggestion of the Auckland members of the committee, who emphasised that they were under certain obligations to Gisborne, the meeting instructed the central body’s officials to arrange for Mr. D. W. Coleman, M.P., to be invited to inspect the Dominion Court and to give his opinion on the transparency. We in Auckland had no reason to suppose that this was not done. We have only to assume that someone in the central office slipped, and must

express regret on behalf of the Auckland committee, which is immediately taking up the matter with the central authorities.

Alteration Sought

"I shall ask them to alter the wording referred to in your letter to suit you. This office, however, caused the following to appear on pages 24 and 25 of the Dominion Court Guide: ‘Though the land is in general less well situated for sheep-raising, there are parts of the Auckland province where this type of farming is important, 7iotabiy in the more rugged and dry country surrounding Gisborne in the Poverty Bay district, where sheep-farming predominates, and in the Uawa County the land shears 1451 sheep per 1000 acres and Cook County 1422.’

“The chairman of the finance committee and the writer were in Wellington last week and have arranged for further matter regarding your district to appear in the Tower of Knowledge. This work is now nearing completion. “You refer to the extended representations of the Auckland City and the Waitemata Harbour. This was possibly owing to donations of £IOOO from the Auckland Harbour Board, £IOOO from the Auckland ElectricPower Board, £250 from the Waitemata Electric-Power Board, and £250 from the Auckland Transport Board, quite apart from the payment of £I9OB from the Auckland City Council, on which amount it' was assessed on population plus valuation basis. The Gisborne Harbour Board refused to contribute one penny, as also did your Power Board and Waikohu County Council, so it is by no means correct to suggest, as you did in your letter, that the Poverty Bay district as a whole contributed all it was asked for.”

The town clerk stated that the council was asked for its quota in August, 1938. and the Gisborne Harbour Board and the Poverty Bay Power Board were not approached until March of this year. A Sufficient Quota

The Mayor, Mr. D. W.» Coleman, M.P., said that the council was led to believe that its quota was sufficient for the town. The transparency of Gisborne was not so much the trouble, for it was a good one, but the surrounding district was poorly represented. He did not see any good in following the matter up further.

Cr. H. E. Maude said that a fair amount of Gisborne’s contribution must have been diverted to other purposes, and he would like to know how much the Gisborne section cost. Gisborne had been promised a representation in accordance with the importance of the district.

Auckland had never been too favourable to Gisborne, Cr. Maude continued. When it was proposed to build the railway south from Auckland to Gisborne, the northern city applauded the project, but strongly 'opposed the southern connection from Napier, doing all it could to damage the project, so that Gisborne could hot expect any help from Auckland. The Mayor did not think it worth while following the matter up. The money was no doubt pooled to make the Dominion Court the wonderful one it was. The letter was received.