NEW PROPOSAL

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 1, Issue 93, 10 December 1931, Page 6

NEW PROPOSAL

NGONGOTAHA DOMAIN OFFER TO PURCHASE FROM ROTORUA COUNTY COUNCIL INCORPORATED ASSOCIATION For some time past, sports bodies in Ngongotaha village have been concentrating on an area of six acres in the village which it is proposed to use for a public recreation reserve. The section was originally purchased by the Rotorua County Council as a J County horse depot, but as the Council is now working very few horses, its use for the area has lapsed. Recently, the section was leased by the County to two trustees, who are holding it as a reserve on behalf of the people of the district, but at yesterday's meeting of the Council, a deputation representing Ngongotaha sports bodies waited upon the Council and outlined a new proposal regarding the use of the reserve. From information previously placed before the Council, it was stated that a considerable amount of work had been done on the section in preparing it for sports purposes, and I that sports bodies in the district were exercised as to their tenure." Incorporated Association This point was emphasised by the deputation for which Mr. M. J. Reidy acted as spokesman. The deputation submitted a proposal that the Council should dispose of the area outright to an incorporated association of the sports bodies of Ngongotaha, which it was proposed to form. This association would incorporate all sports bodies and interested members of the general public and would control the reserve, as a legally constituted society. The movers in this proposal considered it better to take this means, rather than take over the reserve under the Domain Board's Act. As a domain, the reserve would be. vested in the Crown and its control would be subject to restrictions which would not be present in the case of an incorporated association. Shying Clear The spokesman stated that already nearly £200 worth of work had been

done on the section, but owing to their doubt as to the tenure, the sports bodies were at present "shying clear" of the spaces reserved for them. If an incorporated association was constituted, it would be open to everybody and would elect a committee to control the area and sub-lease to the various sports bodies concerned. Act-' ually the area would be. entirely publicly controlled. Mr. W. McPherson said that the clubs were anxious to secure their improvements. At present, they would not spend money as there was no security about the position. The tennis courts were not being used and the only sports activity on the area at present was cricket practices. The trustees had taken up the attitude that they had full control and that all the sports bodies had to do as they were told. It was hoped that the Council would meet the interested bodies and agree to dispose of the area outright. The movers in the proposal could find guarantors for the money. . Sympathetic Consideration The chairman (Cr. H. P. Ford), assured the deputation of the Council's sympathetic consideration,- but pointed out that the Council stood as trustees for the ratepayers. The section had been purchased from rates raised over the whole County and the Council was trustee for that money, when any matter of disposal was being considered. However, the Council would go into the whole matter and advise the deputation of its decision. When the deputation had withdrawn, the Council discussed the matter at some length. The opinion was expressed that the Council must at all costs safeguard the interests of the whole of the people, of Ngongotaha. Cr. J. E. Martin pointed out that quite apart from the sports bodies, a great deal of private work had been done on the area. A section of the sports bodies or, for the matter of that, all the sports bodies, should not be allowed to gain complete control of the reserve and be placed in a position where they could deny other people entrance. The chairman (Cr. H. P. Ford), said that the onus of preventing this was upon the people of Ngongotaha, They could signify their disapproval if they objected to the proposal. It was finally moved by the chairman that providing no legal diffieulties stood' in the way, the Council agree to dispose of the. area ,f or the sum of £200, on condition that the present trustees agree to terminate their lease.