THE BAND ROTUNDA.

Gisborne Times, Volume VIII, Issue 491, 1 August 1902, Page 2

THE BAND ROTUNDA.

REFERENDUM TO BE TAKEN. RATEPAYERS OF COUNTY, BOR, OUGH, AND SUBURBS TO DECIDE.

Tho .loint-Committco of tho Harbor Board and Borough Council mot yostorday afternoon to discuss tho much-vexed question of the site of the hand rotunda, when there were present : His Worship tho Mayor (in tho chair), Capt. Tuckor, Messrs Jones, Mason, Miller, Lysnar, Kennody, Bright, Whinray, Clark, Hutehiusou, and Matthewson. Tho Engineer’s estimate of tho cost of preparing the Point for tho memorial was £339 13s 2d. The following letter was read from Mr W. J. Quigley, architect: “In reference to the cost of a band rotunda, for which I made a sketch plan sorno time back, unfortunately I have mislaid tho drawing, and cannot, therefore, forward it with my estimate of tho cost. However, the squaro of the octagon was 22ft, with a footpath of 6ft all round, thus allowing for marginal ilower-beds, say, 3ft, leaving a 3ft promenade between outer fence and flowerbeds. Tho superstructure of rotunda is to bo carried on cast-iron columns, the height from floor to coiling being about 20ft. I estimate tho probablo cost at from £250 to £275, but should the structure be roducod in size a lesser amount would be requirod.”

t Crs Kennedy and Bright complained that tho engineer and arehitoot had not complied with tho wishes of tho meeting, and submitted an estimate within tho 0 amount of money in hand for tho rotunda. The Engineer said that ho had given all 3 details in regard to the cost of preparing 1 tho locality for tho rotunda. Tho resolution of tho public meeting * asking that tho band rotunda should bo ! placed somewhere else than at tho Point J was then road. Mr Siovwright regretted that tho eug- * gostion that ho made at the outset that tho 1 matter should be referred to an informal ballot of the peoplo had not been complied > with. It would have saved a lot of needless agitation. He thought they would bo ! acting wisely in rescinding tho former resolution and taking a ballot on tho question. . Tho Mayor : And who arc to voto ? Mr Siovwright: The ratepayers of the ; Borough, County, and suburbs. Mr Hutchinson : Tho County Council wish to have nothing to do with it. Mr Whinray: If the voice of tho publio is taken on the matter the question of a site will soon be settled. Mr Clark thought that tho County ratepayers had a right to be considered. Mr Lysnar did not desire to seo any friction, and on that account had a proposal to submit that would pleaso all parties. He suggested that tho Coronation and Contingent funds should bo pooled, and two band rotundas ho erected, one at the Point and the other at the Recreation Ground. The Mayor: You cannot- deal with the £650 of tho Contingent money. Mr Lysnar had gono to tho trouble of getting an estimate as to tho numbor of persons that could be accommodated on tho ground bet ween tho two bridges. Allowing three squaro feet for every individual, there was room for 39,000 people. He complained that tho West-Enders were misrepresenting facts. Mr Hepburn : We will carry it by 12 to 1 next time. Mr Lysnar : It was practically a West End meeting. Mr Hepburn : Not any more than the meeting below was a Point meeting. Mr Bright complained of the waste of time that such a small matter was causing. , Mr R. N. Jones proposed the following motion : “ That in deference to the opinion expressed by the public meeting, the committee rescinds its resolution fixing the rotunda at the point, for the purpose of re-considering the matter.” ‘ The motion was seconded by Mr Sievwright, and carrried. After discussion of a desultory character, Mr Sievwright. moved, “ That tho consideration of the report of tho engineer and architect be postponed till a later date, and that in tho meantime an in-* formal poll of the ratepayers of tho Borough and tho County be taken by tho Town Clerk through the Post-office, tho Town Clerk being Returning Officer, with

all necessary powers, as to whether the band rotunda shall be erected at the Point, or at the Recreation Ground, or at the Waikanae Beach.” Mr Whinray seconded the motion. He considered that a ballot was the only fair and reasonable way to settle the question. He was opposed to a valuable site like the Point being given for a rotunda. Anyone who objected to a referendum being taken objected to play fair. ° Captain Tucker and Mr Jones did not ' see that there was any necessity to take a referendum through the post,’ and suggested other means of securing the opinion of the ratepayers. Mr Bright said that- it was strange that members could not trust themselves to spend such a small amount of money. At the previous meeting only two had voted against the resolution. If they had the backbone of mice they would go to Work end carry it through, and put it on the Point.

Mr Hepburn : It is all very fine of Mr Bright to talk like that. What about tho 'Old Men’s Home ? We carried that by six votes to three, but in deference to the wishes of the public meeting, we afterwards rescinded the motion.

At this stage Mr Bright left the room. Mr Mason warmly supported the motion. Personally, he did not care where the rotunda was placed, and it was the right thing that the people should decide themselves as to the best site. After further discussion, the motion was unanimously adopted, Mr Robertson being appointed Returning Ofiicc to arrange fofi a ballot to be taken.