RECREATION GROUND

Greymouth Evening Star, 13 May 1927, Page 2

RECREATION GROUND

PLANS FOR IMPROVEMENT. DEPUTATION TO COUNCIL. The public meeting held recently to discuss the condition of the Greymouth Recreation Ground bore its first fruits last evening, when a deputation waited upon the Borough Council in connection with the matter.

The deputation, which was introduced by Cr. F. A. Kitchingham, comprised the following:—Messrs Seddon, M.P., J. Hutton, G. Rear, J. D. Wingham, E. Kiely, A. A. Adams, J. McLean, and E Airey Mr Seddon stated it was known from the public utterance of Councillors, that they were sympathetic towards the movement for the improvement of the Recreation Ground, and the playing grounds of Greymouth generally. The time had come when the sportsmen and sportswomen of the town should be given adequate playing grounds. The population of the Borough was now just under six thousand and there were eleven Rugby teams, six League teams, two Soccer teams, eight cricket teams, and twelve school football teams, and two ladies’ hockey teams requiring playing grounds. The public meeting had passed the following resolution: “That the Borough Council be requested to ask its Engineer to prepare estimates for the placing of the Recreation Ground in proper order, and having ascertained the cost, to arrange for the question to be placed on the loan proposals.” There was only one ground which at the present time could be made an effective playing area —the Recreation Ground. Councillors would realise that in its present condition it was quite poor when compared with the grounds at other places similar in size to Greymouth. The deputation asked that the resolution be considered favourablv by the Council. Mr Hutton (Principal of the Technical School) said that in the past few years public opinion had become strongly in favour of adequate playing grounds, which were essential in every modern community. It was felt, that the whole question required close attention at Greymouth, and that was why the question of loan proposals had been raised. The movement was for the benefit of the community as a whole, and not of any particular section. The present condition of the Recreation Ground was a crying disgrace to a town liTte Greymouth. It provided unique opportunities for the laying out of a ground that would not only provide for sports requirements, but would be a credit from the point of view of town-planning and general appearance. It was no use tinkering with the ground; therefore a loan was proposed adequately to deal with it. Mr McLean, as an old Councillor, said the matter was one of which he might feel a little ashamed, owing to the apathy of previous Councils. Playing grounds were just as necessary for ladies as for men, and lie Wished to contradict publicly the statement in circulation, to the effect that he had said the ladies should be put off the croquet grounds. Nothing was further from his thoughts. The Recreation Ground should be placed in proper order, and a good pavilion erected to that spectators could view games in comfort, and thus revenue could be derived by the Council. If they were just going to tinker with the ground, it would be better to leave it alone. He did not know any town worse off than Greymouth as regards playing grounds. The present Council should make amends for the apathy of their predecessors of whom he admitted he was one.

In reply, the Mayor (Mr J. W. GreenMade) said that the Council had committed itself to the improvement of the Recreation Ground. With public support, he hoped that the project would be carried to finality. It was estimated that it would cost about £3OOO to place the ground in proper order. If the money were raised at 6 per cent, with a sinking fund of 2 per cent., it would involve the payment of £240 per year for 25 years. The revenue, it was presumed, would be £l5O per year. The Council expected the sports bodies to get going straight away, and build up a fund that would meet any deficiencies. The Council’s *dea was to include the proposed expenditure on the Recreation Ground in the loan proposal to be placed before the ratepayers in three months. They wanted to be able to assure the ratepayers that the putting of the Recreation Ground in order would not involve increased rates. If the sports bodies did their part, he did not think an additional rate would be necessary. The matter was all governed by £.s.d. He felt sure that, if the loan were sanctioned, the improvements to the ground would be accomplished within 12 months.

Cr J. OBrien said that the Council could not find £3OOO out of revenue, and the only other way was by loan. Tt was one of the best investments the Council could make, and he thought it could be definitely proved to the ratepayers that the Recreation Ground would not be a burden upon them. With such a ground, the Council could always make a revenue of £240 per year. Competition for the use of the ground was keen, and he considered it would be quite a simple matter to raise the money.

Cr R. J. Williams expressed the opinion that the sports bodies should acquaint the Council with their requirements. The Mayor said that the idea was to place the whole ground in thorough order, so as to make as many playing areas as possible. The pavilion could be attended to after the ground was put in order. Mr McLean said he thought it was essential that a pavilion should he erected, as there was at present no accommodation. The public must be catered for.

The Mayor said that the principle of the matter was affirmed. He thought the best procedure was to appoint a deputation from the Council to meet the representatives of the sports bodies, and then report back to the Council.

Cr J. B. Kent said that, so far as he was concerned, the deputation might rest assured that he would do his part to ensure the putting of the ground in proper order. Mr Seddon briefly returned thanks, and the deputation withdrew. Later in the meeting, the West Coast Rugby Union wrote asking for allotment of playing Saturdays on the Recreation Ground.

The West Coast Rugby League also wrote, requesting the use of the Recreation Ground on June 3, and permission to make a charge on that day. The Mayor said that the matter was one of continual difficulty, and the dearth of playing grounds made the trouble greater as the years rolled

on. There had been considerable friction between the Soccer and League people. The Council must reach some final arrangement, set out dates and secure the signatures of the different sports bodies. He moved that the question be left in the hands of the Chairman of the Reserves Committee (Cr Kitchingham) with a view to settling it once and for all. Cr J. O’Brien said that he did not particularly favour any code. The League held that the only playing ground they had was the Recreation Ground, while they pointed out that Rugby had two grounds at Victoria Park and one at Cobden. League had to share the Recreation Ground with Soccer, and now the Rugby Union also wanted a share. The Council was in “a bit of a fix.” and had to do its best to make as fair conditions as possible. The League claimed to have 31 teams playing. The Chairman of the Reserves Committee should allocate the ground fairly between the different codes, and stop such letters coming to the Council. “In fact,’’ added Cr O’Brien, “the codes have not altogether shown the manners of true sportsmen.” Cr McGinley pointed out that the Recreation Ground should not be monopolised by footballers, but should be available for all games. The Mayor’s resolution was carried. Before the meeting concluded, the Mayor moved that the portion of Preston Road known as the old saleyards should be investigated, with the idea of making it a playground for the Preston Road and Blaketown people. They should be given the first opportunity of acquiring the land, under the jurisdiction of the Council. The resolution was seconded by Cr J. B. Kent and carried. Cr R. J. Williams said that the Council had a reserve at Blaketown, and had bought an adjoining section from a private owner.