Recreation Ground.

Hastings Standard, Issue 363, 3 July 1897, Page 3

Recreation Ground.

PUBLIC MEETING. Last night at the Pacific Hotel the adjourned meeting of those interested in the formation of a recreation ground was held. Mr C. A. Fitzßoy, who occupied the chair, explained there were two projects to be placed be fore the meeting—one was the leasing of Mr \V. Stock's known as the trotting course, the other was buying the plot of nßld known as the Woollen Factory Reserve, situate at the back of the district schools. Mr A. L. D. Fraser said he waited upon Mr Stock for the purpose of learning upon what terms he would lease his grounds, and be (Mr Fraser) was inforinc-d that a company could have the inside of the trotting track, until the expiry of the Trotting Club lease (six years and a half) for nothing, during which time the company would be at any moment free to terminate the contract with Mr Stock, only stipulating that in such case any improvements made by the company on his land should be left undisturbed. He further stipulated that he have the booth privileges at all the sports held on the grounds. At the termination of the six and a half years' lease the company would be at liberty to extend the lease indefinitely, Mr Stock receiving ten per cent of the gate money. There were 13 or 14 acres inside the trotting track and the Trotting Club had 110 control over this ground to which there was a right-of-way, and he would be willing to sell this land or any portion of it to the company for £6O an acre. No difficulty was expected in obtaining the Trotting Club's consent for the use of their buildings as Mr Stock had a covanent in his agreement with the club which would have a bearing on this, and in any case the club authorities would offer no opposition. The Trotting Club would be willing to sell out their interest in-the grounds to a company, reserving two days in each year for their meetings. Mr C. L. Kennedy had been consulted with reference to the expense of laying down a track, and he estimated that a track in every way equal to the one in Napier could be laid down at a cost of £2OO. He (Mr Fraser) was not advocating this scheme ; he was only laying the facts before the meeting for discussion. Mr G. H. Tickers laid another scheme before the meeting. The land known as the Woollen Factory Reserve, consisting of 5-\ acres, could be bought at a cost of £2OO, and the ground levelled and a track put down at a further cost of £249 18s 4d. He would like to hear the opinion of the meeting. The Mayor estimated that an iron fence round the land would cost £2OO and another £l5O for buildings would run the money required into £BOO, which would mean £4B a year at 6 per cent. In reply to questions Mr Stock said he had no objection to the company erecting buildings in the enclosure if they desired ; but any improvements made would have to stand if the company abandoned the ground. Mr Fraser though that a raised accommodation for the spectators erected on the centre of the enclosure would .be all the buildings required. The Trotting Club buildings could be used for dressing rooms, Ac. Mr Yickers objected to the scheme on the grounds that it would be difficult to induce the public to subscribe money towards purchasing a leasehold and improving an individual's property. The Woollen Factory Reserve would be a better investment, for the reason that the ground would actually belong to the company and form an asset. Mr Fitzßoy explained that the Woollen Factory Reserve was a waterway, and as such was liable at any time to be taken over by the Council without allowance for improvements. Mr Yickers said there was another site, consisting of 7 acres, the property of Mr Knight, situate near the racecourse. This would make an ideal recreation ground, but he was afraid the price would be very high. He was in communication with Mr Knight on the subject. He thought no serious business should be transacted at that meeting, as it was not a sufficiently representative one. He suggested the Mayor call a public meeting in the Council chambers for the purpose of considering the proposals. Mr Fitzßoy thought that even if they had to pay a good price for Knight's site the asset was a good one. On the motion of Mr Newbigin it ■was decided to ask the Mayor to convene a public meeting in the Council chambers at an early date for the purpose of forming a company with a capital of £3OO for the purpose of buying the leasehold of Mr Stock's ground with- the object of forming a recreation ground. A vote of thanks to the chair concluded the business.