TOWN BELT & SPORT.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1882, 16 October 1913, Page 8

TOWN BELT & SPORT.

THE TENNIS LEASE.

ACTION OF CITY COUNCIL. UPHELD BY CITIZENS. A meeting of somo 60 citizens of Wellington, held last evening in the Town Hall, discussed resolutions protesting against tho granting by the City Council to sport 3 bodies of leases on tho Town Belt, and advocating tho adoption of a comprehensive schorne for the laying out of tho Belt. Tho Mayor (Mr. J. P. Luke) presided. The principal motion was defoated by tho narrow margin of oiie vote.

The Mayor congratulated those i who had arranged tho meeting. The City Council was never afraid to meet tho citizens in public meeting, and : hear their views. A scheme had been practically prepared by tho City Engineer's Office for laying out 40 acres of tho Town Belt, but they would have to wait until the return of Mr. Murdoch, as-sistant-city engineer, from Home, before the plans could be completed. Referring to the l'irio Street ground, His Worship said that there was a great deal of misconception. They could not got a large playing area at Pirie Street —only some four or fivo acres. A great part of Mount Victoria on that side was a "greasy back," and if much cutting were, carried out, no retaining wall could prevent iwrtions of the hill from sliding down on to the reserve. Tho Reserves Committee proposed to leaso two acres to the Tennis Association, and somo people seid that the council had no right to do this. The council said that the tennis people had as much right to a ground as the cricketers and lacrosse players. The council had provided for footballers and others, but the tennis people had always been neglected. Noble work had been done by the council in this respect. In tho last few years—since tho commencement of jvork at Duppa Street—the Council had spent £52,000 on the formation of grounds, in addition ,'to £8000 annually for upkeep. (Applause.) Citizens' Motion of Protest. Mr. J. Hutchison then moved tho first resolution: "That this public meeting of citizens strongly protests against the action of the City Council in its recent dealing with portions of the Town Belt bv way of lease, without first having adopted a comprehensive plan for the development of the Belt." He said that lie . was not one of thoso who indulged in carping criticism of the council. He would like to see every sports body equipped with ideal grounds, if possible. The Mayor had himself supplied one 'of tho most cogent reasons in favour of tho opposition, in stating that the council would not prepare a complete scheme until the return of Mr. Murdoch from England. The schemo should be planned in gross, as a . whole. The working-out of details woiild como later, but they ought .to havo the whole schemo Jjefore them Eeforo work was commenced. Revolt of Aesthetic People. The speaker went on to express pleasure at the existence of a public spirit which revolted at such an aesthetic out-' rage as the disfigurement of the Lambton Railway Station, or the blackguardly blinding of thi left eyo of tho tramcars with advertisements. (Laughter.) The Mayor: You must not incite citizens to rebellion. (Laughter.)

Asked by the Mayor how long lis thought tho preparation of the proposed plan would take, Sir.. Hutchison said that it would tako a considerable tiipe. "Picking Out the Eyes of the Belt." Mr. A. A. Paape, who seconded, said that they wero all anxious to seo every sports body provided with grounds, but what they objected to was tho picking out of the eyes of tho Town Belt before any definite general schcmo was adopted. Tho City Council had no right to spoil tho Pirio Street Reservo for all time fiy giving away the wholo frontage. There wero about four acres in the Tesorvo, of which tho council proposed to give away two. If this area wero alienated, tho other two acres at the back would be rendered almost useless. This, portion of the city was one of tho most congested in Wellington, and provision should bo made for a general playground on the belt, for the benefit of children and others'. A comprehensive, general plan was absolutely necessary. If it cost tho council £400 or £500 it was essontial to tho welfare of the community thatf it should be prepared.

Tennis Folks' Opinion. Mr. G. N. Goldie said that, as a tennis enthusiast, ho had aimed at obtaining a pieco of ground on which the gamo should be played. Years ago tennis people had tnought of Pirio Street, and had Teally pointed out that ground to the council. Now they were accused of picking the eyes out of the belt. It would tako a good deal, of money to mako the ground playable, as the cost 'of construction would bo very heavy. When tlio Tennis Association had carried out its schemo, tho approach to the ground would bo nvuch better than it is at the present time. ■ The tenuis people would encourage extension and improvement of tho playing grounds of til© belt. There wero 3000 tennis players in Wellington, and yet theirs was the only game which could not be played on tho city reserves. Councillor Frost Defends tlio council. Councillor G. Frost denied that the council had dealt with the Town Belt in secret conclave, in order to spring a surprise on citizens. The council had dc-alt with tho matter in a businesslike manner. The lease of two acres was to be granted at a yearly rental of £G5, and the association was prepared to expend some £1000 in improvements. There was no provision for tho Tenewal of the lease at the end of tho term of tvrenty-ono years, and the City Council would resume practically at cost price. The council was not working in the dark; a very comprehensive plan existed. Lawn tennis bad always been neglected so far as grounds wore concerned, and now when it had a chance •of getting a ground all the other sports bodies adopted a "dog-in-the-manger" policy,,and tried to keep tennis players out.

Mr. Hutchison: Is the council on its trial, for if it is wo might as well liavo the gloves off? Tlio Mayor: Councillors are hero as citizens, and have as much right to express their views as anyone else. Election-time Pledges. Councillor R. A. Wright said that the present members of tho council had for the most part given a pledge at the last election that they would provide grounds for sports, bodies on the Town Belt. They were elected on this pledge, and thero had been no opposition to their proposals at tho timo. Now they were asked to carry out the letter of their pledge, and not its spirit. Citizens did not object to the sports bodies getting grounds, so long as they were put away in back crfrners. This opposition should have been raised at election time.

Councillor M. Luckie endorsed tho remarks of tlio previous speaker with regard to tlio election pledges of councillors. There was 110 body. 110 said, which deserved hotter of the city than the Tennis Association. Did objectors know the terms of tho lease? Did they know, .that tho council resume ia seven.

years' time at tho then valuation? Instead of being a dumping-ground for tins, as it was likely to remain if the council wero to retain it, tho ground would bo made into ono of tho beauty spots of the city.

Pleasantries. Councillor A. L. Mackenzie strenuously supported those citizens who were against the lease: Councillor A. R. Fletcher pointo out that Councillor Mackenzie supported tho granting of the leaso both in tho Reserves Committee and in open council. Ho liked consistency.

Councillor Mackenzie: I will explain that at to-morrow night's council meeting. Councillor Fletcher: You can't explain it. Anothor Tennis Man. Mr. T. A. Hurley, a prominent member of tho Tennis Association, pointed out the advantages which would accrue to tho locality by tho granting of the lease. They had to have a ground convenient to the city, as one of the most popular features of tho gamo was five o'clock play. If they did not get tho lease, they would come in with the other sports tttdies next ye.%r, and demand their share of the Ba'sin Reserve and other city reserves. (Hear, hear.) They represented a big and strong section of tho community.

"Devil Fighting a Rainbow." Councillor Tregear said that the City of Wellington had been laid out in the most anarchistic fashion possible. It Teminded him of a devil fighting with a rainbow. (Laughter.) Ho advocated some adequate system of town-plan-ning, drawn up by a man who knew his business. They did not want a plan by Councillor Frost —one of tltose plans which are given away with a pound of tea. (Laughter.) After some further discussion, Mr. Hutchison replied. Ho said that if he wero a dog in tho manger, it was because ho v,"anted to keop tho fowls out of what the horse ought to have. (Laughter.)

The Motion Defeated. The motion was then put to the meeting, and defeated by 23 votes to 22. Practically all those who voted against tho motion left the meeting immediately, showing that their interest was entirely in tho Tennis Association's Tease. Sir. AV. D. Morpeth moved: —That this meeting is strongly opposed to the City Council entering into any leases or granting any privileges 'ovor any part of the Town Belt until such time as a comprehensive plan has beon adopted; that the council bo asked to take immediate steps for the preparation of such plan, and that the citizens shall have an opportunity of viewing and discussing it before its adoption by tho council. Mr. A. A. Marryatt seconded. He said that the plan mentioned by the 1 Mayor was no plan at all, but could only bo a suggestion to tho engineer in drawing up a schemo. It was nothing like tho comprehensive plan thoy wero asking for. Tho resolution was carried without dissent.

Mr. C. G. Wilson moved, and Mr. G. S. Hill seconded: "That this meeting is also opposed to any further leasing by tlio council of any part of the city reserves, or the granting of any privileges in respect thereof without reasonable public notice of the intention being given." The motion was carried unanimously. Mr. W.' H. Hampton moved: —"That it is tho desire of this meeting that tho City Council, at its earliest opportunity, do urgo tho Government to introduce legislation to amend tho Wellington (City) Town Belt Reserves Act, 1908, as to givo effect to the resolutions of this mooting, with tho object of safeguarding tlio rights of the citizens of Wellington for all time. Mr. L, Watkins seconded the resolution, which was adopted unanimously.