Raetihi's eyesore building removed

Ruapehu Bulletin, 22 June 1993, Page 1

Raetihi's eyesore building removed

by Shelly Shearsby Raetihi's 'blue building' - the old Turner's Butcher in Seddon Street - has finally gone, and it seems most people are happy to see the eyesore removed. "The Raetihi Promotions Group is very pleased that the building is down at last as they felt that it detracted from the appearance of the main street," . said Promotions Group spokesperson Bernice Frost. The building had remained empty for about six years and it was damaged by vandals beyond restoration at a reasonable cost. "It's a sign of

progress. It wasn't worth fixing it up so take it down and replace it with something else," was the comment of one of Raetihi's businessmen. It took the workers of Wanganui Demolition Company, who started on 31 May, six days to complete the task. The first three days were spent on preparing the building for demolition and then two weeks later they returned and spent three days on the actual demolition and removal of the building. "For the last two years the Raetihi Promotions Group has been trying to get the unemployed of Raetihi

involved in pulling down the building through schemes run by the Employment Service. But due to the slackness and attitude of 'we can't be bothered' in the Wang anui Department who would not commit themselves, the building was left until the council put up the tender," said Promotions Group chairman John Dobson. "Council funds will be used to pay Wanganui Demolition Company for the demolition and removal of the building but that could have been avoided if the unemployed had been motivated to do the work," he said.

A project that was set up by the promotions group which has proved successful was the painting project that some of Raetihi's unemployed have been involved in

and as a result one of the men was offered a trade on a trial basis. "If the Employment Service could motivate themselves and get the Turn to page 3

Raetihi's eyesore removed

unemployed into doing these types of jobs then the Council funds could be used in other areas and a lot more would get done as there would be more money available and the Council would not exhaust their funds," said Mr Dobson. According to townsfolk, the Turners Butchery building was never an outstanding one. It started life as a butcher shop, but later the owners closed down and left town. The building had been used for accommodation upstairs, a fruit shop and lastly a take-away bar. It is believed the take-away closed down as it did not prove to be viable. The following comments were made by some of Raetihi's locals: "I think it's good (taking it down) it was an eyesore." "It was shocking. It should have come down years ago." "People shouldn't vandalise old buildings. When old buildings or places are well-looked after they are lovely." The land that the building was on is owned by the council and they will be responsible for the up-keep and maintenance of the land until such time as something has been decided about what to do with the space that has been created.