Mr H. H. Wauchop’s 40 Years With Victory Park Board

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29211, 23 May 1960, Page 14

Mr H. H. Wauchop’s 40 Years With Victory Park Board

The amphitheatres of ancient Greece and the Colosseum at Rome were wonders handed down the years to the modern generation, and in Christchurch there was an ampitheatre, or Colosseum, of which everyone was proud—Lancaster Park, said the Mayor (Mr G. Manning) when he spoke at a function on Saturday afternoon to mark the completion of 40 years’ service with the Victory Park Board by Mr H. H. Wauchop. Mr Manning said he had particular pleasure in making a presentation to Mr Wauchop, on behalf of the board. He had been a personal friend for 42 years. More than that, the gathering had been arranged to pay honour and respect to a man who was still in harness, for the work he had accomplished for the citizens of Christchurch. A tribute to the work of the Canterbury Commercial Travellers’ and Warehousemen’s Association in raising the money to save the park was made by MiManning. At St. Paul’s Cathedral in London there was a plaque just under the dome referring to Sir Christopher Wren, Mr Manning said. “The effect of the Latin inscription is: ’For a memorial to Sir Christopher Wren, look about you’. If you want to see what Mr Wauchop, and others, have done for Christchurch, I say look around you this afternoon, at this wonderful park. Here we have an arena second to none in New Zealand, only 15 minutes, walk from the centre of the city. This has been made possible by men like Mr Wauchop, members of the C.T.A. and the Victory Park Board.”

Mr Manning said that as Mayor he wanted to express appreciation to the Rugby Union, to the players who had played so well that the Ranfurly Shield had been won, and overseas teams invited to play, and also to the public which had attended the games so well that the Victory Park Board had been abje to build the new stand and organise the park so well. He also expressed appreciation to the other sports bodies for their contribution. It was a civic asset, not used only for sport Amateur Sportsmen

“I have never been associated with better men, in 40 years, than those on the board controlling Lancaster Park,” said Mr Wauchop. The park was saved for Rugby Union under the Canterbury Rugby Union, for cricket under the Canterbury Cricket Association, and for all other amateur sports. All our forebears who saved this park were amateur sportsmen who gave time and money—and lost their money in the project.”

He had seen all the major sports grounds in New Zealand, and there was none better than Lancaster Park, said Mr Wauchop. When one looked at the beautiful ground, it was clear that the board over the last 40 years had given good service. “In the palmy days of cycling, this was a great place, but it was here that professionals ruined cycling.” said Mr Wauchop. “Betting started. Betting can ruin anything. It ruined professional cycling on this

ground. There are plenty of places to bet, but not on football or cricket matches. “I would like to remind the future generations who guide the control of this park that when we were collecting the money to buy the bungalows which we raffled, we made a promise to a great churchman,” said Mr Wauchop. “He gave us a very substantial cheque on condition that this park would never be let on a Good Friday for any competition or any sport. I hope that promise will be kept. I hope future boards will never allow organised sport on a Sunday on this ground.” Mr Wauchop recalled some of the great names of those who had served on the board since it was formed 40 years ago. He mentioned Mr C. R. Clark .Mr S. F. Wilson, and Mr F. Wilding senior, one of the first to put money into the park, and to lose it. There had been some wonderful secretaries, said Mr Wauchop. Mr Horace Gould, the first secretary, was also secretary of the C.T.A. and it was he who had put to the association the project' by which the park was saved. Mr Gould had been mainly responsible for raising the money for the bungalows. Fine Service Mr Wauchop mentioned the fine service of Mr J. O. McGillivray, and of his nephew, Mr K. J. McGillivray, the present secretary. Mr McGillivray, said Mr Wauchop, knew all about the park better than anyone living. There had been some oustanding custodians, said Mr Wauchop, especially Mr Tom Hallam. who had produced some wonderful cricket pitches. He also paid tribute to the work of the present custodian. Mr Cyril Barnes. “Like Balbus of old. Mr Wauchop has built his wall, and has built it well and faithfully,” said Mr .H C. Blazey. vice-chairman of the board, when introducing Mr Manning to the guests. Mr Blazey said he hoped Mr Wauchop would continue to serve, the board for a long time to come.

Board members and their wives, and representatives of Rugby, cricket, hockey, athletic and soccer organisations were guests at the function.