THE KILBIRNIE GROUND

Evening Post, Volume CVIII, Issue 111, 6 November 1929, Page 13

THE KILBIRNIE GROUND

REPLY TO CRITICISM

THE .MOTOU MOWEJt QUESTION

The Director of Parks- and Kesem-s, Mr. J. G. Mackenzie, referring to criti* icisin which has been levelled at tha department regarding the state of tha Kilbirnie' Keserve wickets, stated today that all grounds were mowed every; week. This cutting, owing to thef rapid' growth of grass in November, was usually left to the latter end or the week. Kilbirnie, the •'■ ground' under'-discussion, took three days tocut with the machine. The rain on. ..Thursday and Friday delayed this* work, and only three-parts" of' iho ground was cuvercd. This al.'o happened, with the other city reserves. ! Different men were cutting on tW Lyall Bay Beservo and Newtown. Park, and not the same man, as was stated by\ Mr. Christophersoii. ■ ; Regarding the . motor mower, it wag decided some years ago to equip all grounds with these machines as fundspermitted. The-Basin Reserve: and Kelburn Park had had motors for the last two years, and the machine for Ivilbirnie was on order. Owing to the isolated position of the Kilbirnie ground, it was thought advisable not to get the motor there until there was a resident custodian on the ground, theft being so prevalent that even the turf, after -being laid, was lifted and carted away. A. custodian's residence was now being built. The recreation ground at Kilbirnie was now recognised as one of the best in the city, eleven games of cricket being playecl there per Saturday, and quite a number during'the week. The improvements during recent years were very marked. ' • ' ■

It was news -to Mr. Mackenzie to know that Mr. Christopherson had. been,* raising the question of the motor for? the last four years, for there was noth-l ing on file to show that he had men-S honed it before. Considering thai great improvements that had been, an2| were being made, to the ground, -thai director was of the opinion thatadl verse criticism from a member of thai Kilbirnie Club was quite uncalled for.'J