PUBLIC GOLF COURSE

Evening Star, Issue 21966, 28 February 1935, Page 15

PUBLIC GOLF COURSE

WORK AT CHISHOLM PARK OR SHEPHERD ANSWERS THE CRITICS Actuated largely by anonymous newspaper correspondence criticising the work being done by relief labour in the laying, out of the public golf course at Chisholm Park, Cr W. H. Shepherd, who moved the adoption of the Reserves Committee’s report at last nighths meeting of the City Council, submitted a spirited defence of the activities being carried out both there and on other reserves department jobs. “I wish to refer to the persistent pin-pricking in. the Press—mainly from correspondents who use nom dp plumes —in regard to the work going on at the Chisholm Park golf* links,” said Cr Shepherd in his opening remarks. ‘‘Some of these correspondents take to task those responsible for the architecture of the course and also criticise the work being done by the men both there and on other reserves department jobs on which relief labour is employed. Until recently it was some two and a-half months since L inspected the work going on in the reserves, but since the last meeting I have, had the opportunity of looking over all tlte work. In answer to the people who continually write in criticism of relief labour, I am in a position now to give their statements a denial.” He went on to say that since his inspection two and a-half months ago he had found that mountains of material had been removed at Chisholm Park, including whole sandhills and a large portion of a quarry from which special material was bein'- taken. The men were largely working very well, both at Chisholm Park and on other jobs of the department, and ho was quite pleased with the progress that was being made. The work at Chisholm Park was apparently being hammered at by people who wanted to get on to the links quickly for play. Ho could say definitely that Chisholm Park was an area on which the department was operating to suit itself, as it was a place where the conditions were reasonably dry, and therefore suitable for the provision of a lighter type of work for partially fit men, such as returned soldiers. The department was not prepared to say when it would come into use; it would come into use just when the department was satisfied that it was ready. At present there were only twentysix acres available for laying out the course, and it should be realised that, as regards its architecture, it was impossible to make this area into a firstclass course. It was hoped that the Domain Board, in its wisdom, would some day grant them the use of the area across the road along the foreshore, and between the two areas they could eventually lay out a good full-size course, instead of the nine-hole course that was the only thing possible in the meantime.