PLAYING AREAS.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 73, 26 March 1912, Page 8

PLAYING AREAS.

♦ ! PROSPECTS IN THE HUTT VALLEY. NEW GROUNDS PROPOSED FOR PETONE. " The available areas in the Hutt Valley ehould make that district tho playing ground of Wellington," eaid a wellknown Eporting enthusiaet to a Post reporter to-day. " The sports' bodies in Wellington," he continued, "do not seem to realise that the Valley is the place to. which, they must look for the bulk of their grounds. There -is plenty of good Dat4and out there, much of it owned by local bodice. If these bodies would only form the grounds they would find them eagerly snapped up, and at rentals which would recoup them for any outlay." He commented on the fact that 'the Lower Hutt Borough Council, which has control over a not very thickly populated district, o^7ned only two good grounds. The position in Petone, he pointed out, was little better, for the Petone Council controlled only four grounds. "Yet," he continued, "the councils own considerable 'areas of flat lands, and especially ie this the ca£e with Petone. It is surprising that something is not done 'to meet the ever-growing demand for grounds." In view of theee statements some enquiries were made to-day as to what the positi6n k. The two grounds- at Lower Hutt have been leased to the Rugby Union, and the same body has secured three out of the four grounds at Petone. It would, therefore, appear that the Rugby Union enjoys somewhat of a monopoly of the few grounds available, to the exclusion of the other sporting bodies The reason for this eeeme to be that the Rugby people are in a position to offer better terms The Hutt bo.rough had had tempting terms offered by the Hockey Association, but these it has had to refuse for want of grounds The council owns much flat land, but it has no other reserves which could be formed into playing areas At Petone, hqweyer, the position ie different The remaining ground at the Recreation Reserve hae been granted to the Football Association, and, in addition, a new ground is being formed across the stop-bank for "the same body It is. apparently, not generally , known that the Petone Council owns some nine acres of good Hat land across this bank, and the question is being asked, in view of the numerous requests for grounds : Why has it not been mads use of ere this? The Borough Engineer; (Mr. Cowie) ctatefi that the new ground now being formed will, when completed, be ?[uite as good as any of tho others; in act. tho whole area could be ma"3e suitable for any game at a moderate cost. It waa further ascertained from Mr. Cowie that he would shortly aubmit an improvement scheme to the council. It will ,be necessary, ie states, to plough up the land, crop it, and drain it. This dono the grounds, according to the engineer, would be quite as good as any in the Recreation Ground proper. ' Ho was strongly in favour of «uch a 6cheme as he had suggested being taken in hand, and he waa confident that the enterprise would pay the council well. Then there is all the land ihe Hutt Park. Appaiently thia park ie only now receiving attention from the sports' bodies, who seem to have just awakened to ita possibilities. The committee, too, has become aware of the fact that, if the* ground was cut up, it _ would be a profitable investment. With a view to having thia done the committee has under consideration a scheme which will provide about eighteen grounds. The Hockey Association has announced ite willingness to lease at leaet ten of these, and the attitude taken up by the committee was that the offer was " + «o {rood to let go." It ia expected t.hat all the grounds will be ready for next year's season. Such a large number of grounds becoming available at the- one time would considerably relieve the pressure now felt. The prospecta are, therefore, that the Hutt Valley will, " eventually, become Wellington's principal playground. The 'first annual general meeting of the Druids' Sporta Protection Association will be held in tho Druids' Hall, Taranalustreet, to-morrow eveuing at 8 o'clock. Members and intending members are requested to attend. Messrs. Thompson Bros., Ltd., will soil at tho Fruit Exohungo, Blair-street, tomorrow, at" 1.30, by public auction, under instructions rocoivod from the holders of tho bill of lading,) 100^ oases Cuba pines, l£lb tints, also a quantity of general merchandise and ono gentleman's froowheol bicycle. ' Messrs. W. 11. Turnbull and Co. will offer to-morrow, at their rooms, 27, Panama-street, at 2.30 p.m., fifteen building Bites; ulso a 4-roomod cottage and half-aero of land situate Island BayThero i» pr.actically no reserve on the sections, and easy terms can bo arranged. The sections have frontages to Adelaideroad, Clifton and Brighton streets. Messrs. A. L. Wilson and Co. will hold a salo of furniture in their rooms, 26, Brandon-street, at 1.30 p.m. to-morrow. Tho catalogue comprises tho contents of seven furnished rooms, including Simplex pianola and piano. They also advertise tor salo three pianos and an Estcy organ. The garden fete which was to bo hold at Mrs. Denton's, "Fornhill," Wo_ol-combe-otroet, in aid of foreign missions, will not now bo held, but an "At Home" will take place in Wesley Schoolroom, Taranaki-street, to-morrow afternoon, at 3 p.m. Ladies aro notified of a special class nnanged by Mr. Flarrison at his inscituto in Ouba-sfci-eot, and to bo held on Tucbday and Friday mornings. Physical culture, embracing hoalth, deoi} breathing, and doporlmont exorcises will bo er.i'ofully taught. Railway excursion tickets in connection with tho Maaterton racos will be issued. Messrs. Braud and Johnston will hold a sulo of furniture and appointments, in their rooms to-morrow at 1 o'clock. Included in the catalogue will be foutnl — fumed oak sideboard, hijj»h-baek oak din-ing-room suite, louther •dining-room suite, imd cheval bedroom suite.