GRANDSTAND ROOF

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 214, 10 August 1937, Page 8

GRANDSTAND ROOF

A. AND P. SHOWGROUNDS. PROBLEM OF REPLACEMENT. The replacement of the roof on the main stand at the Showgrounds, which has received considerable attention since the damage wrought by the gale in February last year, was again discussed by the general committee of the Manawatu and West Coast A. and P. Association at its meeting today. It was mo4e clear by the president (Mr J. A. Russell) that no action was contemplated until the finance needed was in sight, and a decision' was made to approach the New Zealand Rugby Union for assistance. The finance committee reported that Mr E. V. West, Architect, had submitted a report on the condition of the main stand, and an estimate of £4450 as the cost of re-roofing it with a roof carried on permanent supports. The present location of the etund had been fully discussed, the report of tiie committee stated, and it was the opinion of the committee that the present size of the oval was sufficient for till requirements. , The discussion of the possibility of roofing the stand had been held over pending inquiries ing made concerning ways and means of augmenting the building fundMr Russell said he wished to make it clear that a start on roofing the stand would not he made until the finance was'in sight; it was his hope that the sympathy of the townspeople could be enlisted. ; Mr M. A. Eliott suggested that the New Zealand Rugby Union should be approached for financial assistance; the union would profit by £25,000 to £30,000 from the Springboks’ tour and would benefit from increased patronage at representative games in the oval consequent upon improved accommodation. Mr Eliott felt that the association would receive a sympathetic hearing. Mr T. R. Hodder seconded Mr Eliott’s motion that the union be approached. The resolution was carried unanimously. . , , , c Mr M. A. Conway said that as far as he could recollect no report had been obtained as to the durability of the stand in the last ten years, though he believed a report obtained a decade ago had expressed the opinion that the stand would last for only a few years. The discussion was not carried further.