OTAKI’S REST RESORT.

Otaki Mail, 27 January 1922, Page 2

OTAKI’S REST RESORT.

GYMHKANA TO BE HELD. WANTED—M(?RE UNANIMITY. A meeting of the Committee of the Otaki Rest Resort was held at the Council Chambers on Tuesday night. Present: Messrs J. R. Bills (chairman), •T. P. Brandon, A. Smith, J. S. Pole, W. H. Reynolds, W. Vaughan, and C. H. Williams (lion, secretary). After the reading of the minutes Mr Brandon said he considered it advisable that a full statement of accounts, giving all details, should be published, withholding only the names of donors. He pointed out that many had given according to their means and that it would be unfair to publish the names of some, while others had expressed a desire that their names be not made .-public. He stated that several residents had refused to give as there had been no statement of accounts, while he had been taken to task for his remarks that the Chinese buildings were preferable to the present state of af-V fairs. He, however, had no hesitation in repealing the assertion, ami asked what had the committee done during the past six months, lie maintained nothing had been done and that the grounds were a disgrace, and that it, >.nuld he better, rather than leave tho ; ■ omuls in tlieir present stale, to sell :: :d erect a monument to soldiers who ’ad fought in the war. He had no vis’’ lo stir up strife, but he would refuse to give a donation till something won by of our soldiers had been done, -dr Brandon then moved that a statement ot accounts be published, and details given to whom money had been paid.

This was seconded by Mr Vaughan. Mr Smith said a deal of work had been done on the grounds, but at the smile time he did not look upon tho place as a credit to the committee. Ho considered they had aimed too high and t!i,ul a more modest monument would have been better.

Mr Williams said lie was surprised at Mr Brandon’s remarks as .well as being disappointed. There was an overdraft of £133 and it was not right for Mr Brandon to infer that more cxpense_ should be incurred. The Committee was not. justified in spending mote, and he thought Mr Brandon should give his promised donation.

Mr Brandon said ho was far from satisfied with the work done. Mr Williams maintained Mr Brandon had done nothing, and that the Committee could not work without money. Despite the fact that some people had “thrown off’’ several of the Committee had worked hard. He felt there was some influence behind the soldiers which had prevented them from giving their promised donation. Had this been given the band rotunda would, long, ago have been finished. It seemed to him that members of the Committee were pulling one against the other.

The Chairman stated that it had been decided to hold a gymkhana to raise money, but when flu; Returned Soldiors withdrew their promised donation tho matter was allowed to drop.

Mr Williams said he was anxious to see things carried out successfully, he asked that all act in a sociable way, and that mud-slinging be done away with. Although he was a busy man he was willing to still assist. Mr Brandon said the movement was started for the purpose of providing conveniences for women and children, and that a band rotunda had not been mentioned till some time later. The.

rotunda was not necessary at present, jiDd with the funds available the Committee should have carried out their original movement. Ho was not alone in refusing to subscribe. Tho place was not a beauty spot, while material left on the ground was depreciating in value.

The motion on being put was carried. The Chairman said the public of Otaki were not taking the interest in the grounds- that they should and he suggested that all material on the grounds oe sorted out and sold by auction. —Agreed to. In a general discussion Mr Pole said they had heard a lot about, the rest resort, some things were nice, some were not. Mr Brandon had said he had never heard of a band ‘ rotunda, but he would like to point out that it wa.i one of the most prominent features on the plan. Mr Brandon had also told them that the resort: was a blot on the landscape and that he preferred to see the old Chinese buildings in lieu thereof. He did not admire Mr Brandon’s taste. Air Pole added that while some members of the Committee had exerted themselves others had caused disension. There must be unanimity, he said, or they would not progress; the matter should not be retarded. The Committee had been criticised, probaablv by drones who never helped in any way. Mr Brandon said the band rotunda was never mentioned tilj the plan* were drawn up—it was a secondary consideration, the first intention being to erect convenience*. He moved that plans be drawn up of the convenience's needed, to be approved of by the Chairman and Secretary, ano that tenders be called. This wai agreed to. Mr Smith said he would like to see the entrance gate erected, but Mr Pole said this could not be done without money. He had drawn a plan and was prepared to hand it to the Committee. It was decided to get a price for thQ gates.

Air Vaughan asked if the Returned Soldiers had given an explanation why they had withdrawn their promised donation.

Mr Williams said he had waited on the representative on several occasion*, bat had got no satisfaction. Mr Smith said he would like to see the guns erected on the resort, and it -was agreed' the. grounds were the proper place for their erection: On the motion of Mr Smith a hearty, "* vote c* thank* —•«" accorded to M&m

Pole for valuable work done. - Sove members spoko highly of -Mr Pole,, garding him as a most useful luomb A suggestion by Mr Brandon that meeting of ladies bo called to organ: a carnival met with support, and it w agreed to hold a meeting at an eai date, while the question of promote a gymkhana was left to Messrs W liams, Reynolds, and Brandon. -