MATTER OF SEATS

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 3, Issue 637, 15 September 1933, Page 2

MATTER OF SEATS

IN GOVT. GARDENS " REQUEST MADE FOR RETURN OF OLD TOWN BOARD PROPERTY. COUNCIL DISOUSSION. There was a lighter interlude during the deliberations of the Rotorua - -Borough Council on Wednesday evening, when a recommendation was considered from the works committee that the Tourist Department he asked to return a number of park seats in the Government Gardens which were branded "R.T.C." (Rotorua Town Council). Cr. L. J. Bayfeild said that there were 128 seats in the Gardens, of which 98 were owned by the Tourist Department and 29 by the Rotorua Town Board. He would point out, however, that the seats had been in ithe grounds for a quarter of a century'and'd'uring that period had b6en kept in repair and regularly painted by the department. The Mayor. That is reasonahle hire. Or. Goodson said that the recommendation of the committee did not imply any reflection upon the department. The fact was that a few seats were required by the council, particularly for the use of women and children. Cr. J. Banks: And others. Cr. Goodson said that the seats were needed particularly on the rise , overlooking Whaka. It was not suggested that all of the seats should he returned, but that perhaps half a , dozen might he made available. ' "Cr. Bayfeild: The legal position is obscure. The Mayor: The legal position is not obscure. It is definitely laid down in the Rotorua Borough Act that the property, assets and so on of the Tourist Department should be vested in the borough of Rotorua with certain exceptions, such as the Bath Buildings and the Sanatorium. Cr. Goodson said that the works committee !had no money to provide seats and it had, to put it crudely, taken this way out. Cr. Bayfeild said that complaints Were continually received that there was not suifioient seats in the grounds. Cr. Woolliams put for ward a plea for the retur-n of half a dozen of the seats. Cr. Bayfeild said thati he would point out that the properties of the old Town Council had been bought with Government money. Cr* Steele: That is our money. At this stage the discussion lapsed and it was decided to request the department to return "some of the seats."