A NEW SPORTS GROUND.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 12189, 9 May 1905, Page 7

A NEW SPORTS GROUND.

DISCUSSION BY THE DOMAIN BOARD. At the meeting of the Domain Board yesterday, a deputation, comprising Messrs W. Jacques, F. M. B. Fisher, M.H.R., Ross, W. Thomson, Gose, Laurie, and J. T. Brown, representing lawn tennis, bowk ami croquet players, waited on the Board with reference to the granting of a portion of the Park for their various games. Mr Jacques explained that einoe the deputation had previously waited on the Board they had met with bo much eucceas in the direction of obtaining members for the proposed dub, that the extent of ground first asked for would be far too email. They would now require some three or three and a half acres to adequately accommodate their various games. As to the site, the statement that they wanted Pilgrim's Corner was not correct. The site they had selected after examining all those available, was that bounded by the plane avenue on the north, the Riccarton road on the south-east, and the Wellingtonias on the east. There would be a good deal of money spent ■on the ground by the different organisations, and they thought it would be a great ornament to a part of the Park which was now very little used by the public, if they erected a pretty pavilion, and laid down bowling greens and courts. Mr T. H. Davey, M.H.R., wished to know whether any other portion of the Park would not serve as well. The deputation were selecting for the benefit of comparatively a few people the very prettiest spot in the Park, which belonged to the province as a whole. He thought the public wonld objeot to the Board agreeing to the request, as they would be unable to go on to the grounds granted. The Chairman (Mr Murray-Aynsley) said that the Board conld gire a license, but" ( they were unable to give power to exclude the public. Mr H. G. Ell, M.H.R., thought that a croquet lawn, a bowling green, and tennis courts would add (greatly to the beauty of a piece, of ground, and induce people to visit the Park. " Mr Ross explained that they could not hope to get the support of tennis players unless they had a site which was sheltered from the east wind. All they;wanted was to have power to prevent the destruction of their property. They hoped, if the Board granted their request, to induce hundreds of people who never went to that part of the Park at all, to go there. They did not intend to put up fences to destroy the view of the Wellingtoniae; what they -would direct would be low fences. The great desideratum in respect of tae cite wae that the tennie playera should get the best light without shadow. This wae not obtainable at several other sites which they had inspected. Nothing would be done to exclude the public. The chairman mid that the cite was used for placing the sheep when disr turbed elsewhere. . Mr F. M. B. Fisher, M.H.R., said that not ten people stood on the ground they wanted in a year. • Mr H. J. Beswick said that the main question wae that of the tenure. The promoters would have to spend about £1000, and they would want, surely, something more than the mere liocnee, which' wae now granted to the polo and cricket clubs. Mr Roes said that they did not make a condition of a different tenure than was possessed by the other tenants. They would like a longer period if they could get it, but if not they would take the same tenure as others. Mr Beswick said that the Governor signed the grazing leases, which were for a longer tenure, not the Board. The Board simply recommended the leases. Mr Ell eaid that the Cricket Aβfsoflation had been on the'ground for a good many years, and had not been disturbed. In Asbburton the tennis courts and bowling greens were on the public Domain. x Mr T. H. Davey moved: " That a cub-committee of four member* of the Board be appointed to visit the cite selected in company with the deputation, with power to deal with the request asked for, to draw up conditions, and to report to the Board." . Mr Cooper seconded the motion. Mr Scott said he supposed that the projectors were going to put up pavilions or tea rooms, which would, of course, be open to the public. Could the Board give power to erect tea rooms for the use of the public? Tim couree wae followed in England, and added greatly to the appearance of the parks. He did not see why they should not follow the came course here. " The motion was then put and agreed to. The cub-committee appointed comprised the chairman, Messrs Cooper, Manhire, Scott, and Davey. In reply to Mr Beswick, Mr Jacques said tJbat it was proposed to connect the sanitary arrangements with a septic tank. ■ . i j After the deputation had withdrawn, Mr Beswick suggested £20 per annum as the rental of tie grounds. "Mr 0. Witty, M.H.R.. thought that as the expense* for the first year would be heavy, £15 per annum rent would be sufficient. The chairman pointed out that they were taking away a portion of the land which was now used by the pastoral tenant, and they would have to make an allowance to him. .. "After further consideration, the matter of the rental wae allowed to stand ever. .