Committee Formed To Keep Information Centre Operating

Taupo Times, Volume XIV, Issue 69, 2 September 1965, Page 2

Committee Formed To Keep Information

Centre Operating

A resolution to set up a committee to draw up a plan to keep the Taupo Information Centre open on a permanent basis was adopted at a public meeting in Taupo on Tuesday.

The meeting was called by the Taupo Borough Council to consider ways and means. It was agreed that the committee should comprise two representatives each from the Taupo Chamber of Commerce, the Taupo branch of the N.Z. Holidays and Travel Association, the Lake Taupo Accommodation Association aud the Commercial Launch Owners' Association. The Taupo County Council will be invited to appoint two representatives. The organisations will appoint their own representatives to the committee. The committee will be asked to draw up proposals for consideration by the Taupo Borough Council. In the interim period, the Information Centre will be kept open.

The meeting acceptea tne offer of Mr K. A. Freundlich who undertook to do the work free of charge. Mrs F. B. Dawson also undertook to arrange voluntary assistance in the office work by Taupo women. The Mayor of Taupo, Mr J. E. Story, explained the purpose of the meeting. There had been offers from private interests to keep the centre functioning, but as it was on domain land, it could not be commercialised. He invited discussion and the expression of views. COUNCIL RATE Mr M. G. Foster said it was essential to have an information centre and it was necessary to establish it on a basis which could not fail, He thought it should be supported by the whoie community — borough and county.

He thought the only way to do it was throngh the borough council by rating, or some other means with the right people rnnning the centre. The town clerk, Mr K. G. Winton, said the council was paying £450 p.a. as a public relations gesture to meet outstanding debentures on the building and the elimination of debts. It would take .ld. on the rates to produce £1000, he said. "That woul-d be very little to pay," said Mr Foster. OBJECTION A lot of ratepayers would take strong objection to a rate on their properties, said Cr W. L. Haines. He thought the centre should be supported by the beneficiaries. He suggested they should pay 10/- or £1 a week, which would be better than a levy on rates. "That is only a suggestion — a talking point," Mr Haines added. Mr Story said the council could rate for it, but a lot would not benefit from it.

The probable cost would he about £2500 including existing commitments. Cr J. M. Stanley remindthe meeting that the centre was started by the Taupo Chamber of Commerce. It was unfortnnate that it had not been kept going. He thought that interested people should be found to maintain the centre rather than rate the people. Private enterprise was not wanted. HANDED OVER The president of the Taupo Chamber of Commerce, Mr J. V. Okeby, said

it was true the chamber started the centre, but its administration had been handed over to a trust. He considered, however, that the centre could be rnn at a lot less than £2500. A motel proprietor said almost every street in Taupo had a bed and breakfast

establishment but not all were present. He would be prepared to pay his share to keep it going and he thought all proprietors of hotels, motels and camping grounds should support the centre financially. Mr Howard Kidd suggested that the feeling of the meeting should be obtained on whether a rate should be struck. It was a matter which should be put to the general public, he added. "We all benefit from the centre and should support it," he said. PUBLIC RELATIONS Mr S. A. Ogden reminded the meeting that the office was not only an information centre. Public relations had also to be considered and industry attracted. That was a public service and all should pay for it. "We in Taupo are thinking far too small. This is the centre of the North Island and thousands of things can be done to attract people," he said.

"Let us keep it on an information centre basis at the present time," said Mr Story. He suggested that the meeting should nominate people to go into ways and means of retaining the centre. Cr Haines supported Mr Story and said a scale of fees should be worked out for submission to the council and other organisations concerned. Mr Story then asked the meeting if they would agree to two members of the Chamber of Commerce and two representatives of the motel owners being appointed to take the matter further with the council. Mr Ogden said he thought the council should take the matter into their own hands and strike a rate to bring in £2500 to keep the centre going. "We have already strnck a rate for the year," Mr Story replied. It would be pointless taking a vote on whether a rate should be levied, said Cr C. J. N. Newbold. He moved a representative committee be formed to go into the matter of keeping the centre open. This was adopted and the representation decided upon.

About 36 people attended the meeting, including retailers, motel operators and others with commercial interests.