RECREATION GROUNDS.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 287, 28 August 1908, Page 8

RECREATION GROUNDS.

THE HUTT PARK. DEPUTATION TO CITY COUNCIL. A large deputation of representatives of sports bodies waited on tho City Council last night, and urged tho council to take stops to secure representation on tho controlling board of the Hutt Park, in order that tho resorve may bo utilised as a general recreation ground. Mr. P. G. Bolton said that while the sports bodies appreciated tho provision made m the past, they thought that it would very soon be quite inadequate. Tho deputation represented practically all- tho sports bodies of Wellington. _ Mr. Bolton read a list of twelve associations represented, and stated that their membership amounted to 9000 athletes. In 1907, when a local Act vested tho Hutt Park in tho Hutt, Petone, and Eastbourne Borough Councils as a recreation reserve, the share of Wellington City in its control was somehow overlooked. The deputation asked the council to tako steps to obtain a share of tho control of this reserve, which had accommodation for at least . forty sports grounds, besides an ample space for onlookers. The pressure on tho other grounds was so great that in the case of some associations it had almost becomo a scramble to get possession of the grounds on playing days. It was to the advantage of the community to make athletes rather than spectators, but owing to the scarcity of grounds the tendency was now the other way. The Eastbourne Borough Council would not oppose the City Council having a share in the control, and the Hutt and letone councils had expressed their agreement. The present basis of control was in proportion to ratable area, the Hutt and Petone boroughs having each threo delegates oil the committee, and Eastbourne one. If Wellington came in, therefore, it would have the largest representation, and the Park would practically becomo a ■ Wellington ground. If Wellington did not come in now, tho entire ground would be Tequired by the Hutt and Petone boroughs, when their population increased in the future. The cost of formation would be practically nothing, and this was the only ground locally obtainable for sports purposes. If the park were obtained the Basin Reserve ■ and other areas could be reserved for children. He proposed that a Bill should be brought forward this session to give tho council a share in the control of tho park. The Mayor said that if tho consent of the present controlling bodies were definitely obtained for the proposal, that would facilitate tho passage of a local Bill, which it was now somewhat late to introduce. Mr. Bolton thought that Parliament would bo willing' to suspend tho Standing Orders to admit the Bill. There \vas no opposition to tho proposal on tho part of any of tho sports bodies. Tho Mayor said that tho deputation was suggesting a. difficult course to get a local Bill put through, at this stage of the' session. There were a large number of. local Bills - now beforo tho House. Tho council had probably not seen tho full force of tho legislation passed two years ago. They were then rather averse to interfering with what seemed to be the rights of adjoining boroughs. Ho was sure that the council now wished that they had taken action when the previous Bill was put through, but if the controlling bodies were going to offer any opposition, it would be quite useless to take any steps now. The council would consider tho matter .and see what could bo done. Tho deputation then withdrew.