THE RIGHT SPIRIT

Evening Post, Volume CIV, Issue 145, 16 December 1927, Page 10

THE RIGHT SPIRIT

GEAR SPORTS PARK

ATHLETIC BODIES ACTIVE

"GIVE-AND-TAKE"

Not so very long ago the pro* posal to devote Gear Island to sports seemed to be hanging fire, and under the heading "Wake Up, Wellington," an article in "The Post" pleaded for action by athletic bodies. Last night's conference, reported below, indicates that athletic opinion is now fully worked up, so much so that it seems that Gear Island will be fully apportioned among the various outdoor sports without calling on trotting to migrate from Hutt Park.

If the further conference, to be called ! towards tho end of January, shows an equally progressive spirit, Gear Island Sports Park will soon become an actuality. ' . The conferenco referred to was between the Hutt River Board and representatives of sports associations, and was held at Lower Hutt last night to discuss the future of Gear Island as a sports area. About fifty representatives were present, and the conference was marked by enthusiasm and by evidence of the recognition that individual wishes would have to be disregarded in the interests of the whole scheme.

RATEPAYERS NEED SOME REVE-

Mr. W. T. Strand,, chairman of the River Boartl, opened the conference, and expressed his gratification at the response to the board's invitation. They were there, he said, to discuss proposals by the various sports bodies of Wellington ana the Hutt Valley district. Many sports organisations had approached the board for land on the island in the past, but never with any definite, clearcut proposals. The Eiver Board was, he said, only the trustee of a very valuable property, and in the past had been ,asked to develop the island both as an industrial and as a residential area, for both of which purposes it was admirably suited. He personally had long wanted to see it developed into the finest recreation park in the Dominion. In the past the Eiver Board had not been allowed to spend money on it, and even now its proper development rested very largely on the sports bodies. The Eiver Board would hare to have revenue from the island.

He was not going to suggest that tins revenue would be heavy and increasing, but the ratepayers had clearly expressed their opinion that a certain amount of revenue must be raised. . ._

They would doubtless be prepared to accept less from the sports bodies than would be asked from industrial enterprises. In conclusion he stated that the members of the board had come with their minds open to receive sueeestions. STRONGER AND WEAKER. Mr. E. W. Shallerass, secretary of the Sports Protection League, congratulated the River Board on the steps it had taken to secure Gear.lsland for sport. The sports bodies had long desired it, but had not known how to act. None of those present would wish to see the j island developed in any way which [would result in a loss of revenue to the board. He suggested that in any proposal adopted care should be taken that the stronger' associations were not allowed to overrule the weaker. Mr. E. P.. Bunny, solicitor to the River Board, said the proposal would probably result in a major Bcheme, buthe would like to point out that any ! scheme adopted would have to be approved by the ratepayers, to whom the board had an obligation to receive a certain amount of revenue from the ■ area. In regard to the weak clubs, he said there were two things to be decided. One was the amount of land each body required, and the other the amount of financial assistance it would require to develop its land. It might be necessary to raise a loan, because only the best possible was worthy of the scheme. Mr. M. E. Denniston represented the tennis interests. He mentioned the large following which tennis commanded. In the Hutt district players were handicapped by want of good courts Tennis asked very little—one-tenth of the island, equal to about 10 acres, in the north-west corner. If their request was not met the Hutt players would be deprived of their rights, and he considered that local players were entitled to first consideration if there was not going to be enough land to go round. '.' PERTINENT QUESTIONS. Mr. J. Prendeville, representing the Wellington Eugby Union, asked the chairman whether the conference had been called with a view to providing accommodation for the sports of the entiro Wellington district, or just for the Hutt Valley. If the parochial view raised by Mr. Denniston was the one to be taken, then they were wasting their time. ■

Mr. Strand said an endeavour was being made to cater for the whole Wellington district.

Mr. Prendoville said that before steps were taken with the allocation of the island they would like to know what scheme the board intended to follow Was it to take over the entire development and control the island as the Hutt Council did the Recreation Ground, taking all revenue and meeting all maintenance expenses, or was their policy to allow the sports bodies to maintain their own grounds? A third proposal would be a combination of these. He agreed that a definite plan should be followed. A certain area of the island was unfit for any kind of sport, and it should be so plotted out that a maximum area was used with a minimum of waste. The second essential was the provision of access to the playing areas, and a drainage scheme was necessary.

Both of those undertakings (access and drainage) could best be carried out by the board, probably by. recourse to loans, although the sports bodies would naturally be asked to contribute towards the interest and sinking fund.

After the allocation Of the grounds, there . was the question of ground charges. Would the Biver Board take over that responsibility, or would each sport develop its own ground charge? So far as Eugby was concerned, it had no definite proposals to make, but was willing to join in with anything for the best , development of the island. They could tackle 40 or 50 acres, which would provide for about a dozen grounds. - GOLF COUIiD TAKE TITTY. Mr. W. Pringlo, representing the Johnsonville Golf Club, said their club was in a negative position legally. They had a sub-lease, but could not play on much of their course. They already had 47 acres for a nine-hole course," and could tako over another 50 acres. Thoy woulu fall in with any community scheme. My. D. M'Kenzio (Cricket Association) said he had come with no definite proposal, but was .there to hear what the Itiver Board had to say. They did not want 30 acres, but they might be able to work in conjunction with the | Kugby Union. They had been well serv-

Ed by the Petone and Lower Hutt Borough Councils, but were willing to atsist in any scheme brought forward. Mr. Hardy Boys, representing hockey, said his association wanted 16 acres, but was not particular about the locality. There were eleven teamg in the Valley, and they would need five grounds. They would be willing to pay, either a rental or for the upkeep of the ground. — Mr. G. A. Salt (Association football) said he had nothing definite to put forward, but would take any, amount given, and would fall in with any scheme. There were twenty teami in the Valley, and these would be likely to increase. ' Mr. Strand said he could now gee that the whole of the island would be required. Mr. A. M'Bain said parochial feeling would have to be ruled out fromthe start. Tl>e board could take the attendance at the conference as a mandate to go straight ahead. The board. should proceed to lay-out the island according to a definite plan. TO ROOM NOW FOB TROTTING. Mr. Strand said M*. M'Bain's proposal had already been considered by the board, but the board 1 id previously been in the dark as to how much land would be required. A previous plan had made provision for a race track, but he could see that the track would now have to stay on tho Hutt Park.

The requirements of the larger bodies were known, and they would be able to fit in areas for the smaller sports such as croquet and bowls. They would also have to provide for plantations and parts, .- the natural beauty of the island would have to be preserved. The board was not a body of experts on. sport, and fortfhe suggestions as to the laying-out of the island it would have to rely mainly on the sports representatives.

Mr. J. .N. Millard asked if it would be necessary for each body to pay a rental of £.10 or £12 per acre to cover the present revenue and the cost of improvements.

Mr. Strand: "As .the improvements are effected the revenue will increase. We are not going to go by a rental per acre, as some pr.rts of the island are more favourably situated than others, and Bpme will cost less to pnt in order."

It was decided that the Eiver Board should call a meeting of representatives of the.sports bodies towards the end of January, when the matter will be further discussed.