BASIN RESERVE.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 74, 27 March 1912, Page 3

BASIN RESERVE.

improvementMoposals. DEPUTATION M,Oli CRICKET ASSOCIATION. A deputation from the Wellington Cricket Association waited on the Bes&vves CommiUa© of the City Council yesterday afternoon in reference to the proposal for tcpdressing the- Basin Reserve. The association was represented by Messrs. M. Luckio (chairman of Iho Cricket Association), J. Vane's, and Crombio (members) and Mr. Saunders (groundsman). Councillor Frost presided. Mr. Frcst fcaid that everyone recognised that the reserve was in a ishocking state. It had been suggested that the reserve should be closed for v year and that the whole- place should be> ploughed up. The Reserves Committee wae quite aware of the fact that it would bring a certain amount of odium upon itself by proposing to close the ground for a whole winter. The reserve was a pub?ic ground and the* interests of the whole of the public had to b& conserved. Mr. Luckie said that the reserve had been the best friend of cricket in.' New Zealand. Until a year or two ago the ground had been left entirely neglected in the winter. The bad places in the ground were due to the winter sports and not_ to the use of the heavy roller. In justice to Mr. Saunders he had to say that the wickets- had never been so well prepared as they had been since Mr. Saunders took charge. The association was prepared to supply at least £50 worth of top-dressing, or at least £50 in cash. Ho did not think tha*. the winter sports bodies would object to the proposed closing of the ground for one season, knowing that an infinitely better ground would be available afterwards. The plan for improvement, which has already been discussed publicly, was talked over in a conversational way and the chairman of the Reserves Committee promised to have the question fully enquired into and reported upon to the Council in due course.