USE OF DOMAIN OVAL

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22269, 7 December 1937, Page 4

USE OF DOMAIN OVAL

RIGHTS OF CRICKETERS DISCUSSION BY ASHBURTON BOROUGH COUNCIL ■ It seemed unreasonable to expect local persons to give up their.recreation and ground which had been provided for their use, was the opinion of the Ashburton Cricket Association, expressed in a letter to the Ashburton Borough Council last evening in reply to a request by the council that the domain oval be vacated by cricketers on December 4 and 11 lor outside picnics. The letter added that no other grounds were available, and if the oval was vacated it would mean abandoning two matches and the ruining of the senior cricket competition. As the picnics were coming from centres outside the Ashburton County and there was another ground suitable for picnics, it seemed unreasonable to expect local people to give up their recreation and ground which had been provided for their use. The Ashburton County Cricket Association and the Ashburton Cricket Club regretted that they were not able to accede to the request to vacate the oval on the dates mentioned. It was suggested that those controlling the picnics be advised that the oval would be required from 1.45 p.m., each day. It was reported that a reply had been sent to the association that the decision of the council in permitting picnic parties on the oval was in accordance with the agreement with the Ashburton Sports Association. As the picnic parties had been notified it was impossible to vary that decision.

Right of Borough Residents Dr. G. I. Miller said the council should pay more consideration to residents of the borough than to visiting picnickers. Before any trees were planted in the Domain, cricketers had prepared the oval and maintained it for many years. They would willingly vacate the oval for local events. "I candidly resent the tone of the letter from the association," said Mr R. Kerr, who added that there was a gentleman's agreement that cricketers would leave the oval when it was required for other purposes. Picnics should be encouraged to come to Ashburton. There was a danger of children being injured when cricket was played on the oval. The Mayor (Mr W. H. Woods) said

no club ever had the exclusive ntf* g the ovaL The time was.notJfcr ** tant when all sports could not toe «* commodated at the domain-It w» . necessary to vacate the oval ow when there were large picnfc*. • - Mr E. H. Orr said the difflcttltyjWJ that the cricketers had been to leave the oval for two SatnnW! , consecutively. On the » oUo £°*i2 J. Connor the domain conmutteewj asked to report on providing ah a«» pitch on the top ground of the ««*2 as an alternative to the use of t» oval on picnic days. . Others present were Mess* *• Thompson, J. Shaw, H. W. Sherrafti Mitchell, J. McElhinney, J. I.»K The Women's Division of ttte n** Zealand Farmers' Union «^ „jg£, permission to hold a street coBecBQB and *ale of produce on the occasio" of the annual Christmas the Ashburton Public Hospital, m*W The Commissioner of Transport flg G. L. Laurenson) advised tbatftei^ ; received from the police a repon,» an accident which occurred "J2 I intersection of East and TWO*" streets, Ashburton, on Novemberfc" the report it was said that an tion to the driver's view was a w?"£ in causing the accident. He wM *£ ferring the matter to toe cound its information so that it might «£ sider any action necessary in p» moting greater safety. t Ljr-^m It was said that the obstrucUOi»J»r a shop verandah sun blind. ter was left to the chairman J*j£ ; by-laws committee ard ttw inspe""" :.