LIGHT AT THE DOMAIN.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 14 August 1925, Page 2

LIGHT AT THE DOMAIN.

CURRENT OFFICIALLY TURNED ON. The switching on of the electric , tight at the playing area at the Levin Park Domain was made the occasion of a little ceremony last night. Particulars of the installation have already been published and it is hoped that by the facilities provided local footballers will have the opportunity j of putting in some useful training at nights. 'the Mayor (Mr T. Hobson) officially switched the big electric lamps on and the effect was seen to be quite as brilliant as was expected. - The 'MayoSr' said the installation I was likely to prove of material assistance to t , Horowhenua and it was ! a pleasure to find there were enthusj lasts in the district who had made possible such an innovation, one, j moreover, which could be subject to : extension if the public would support it. The lights he had switched on would, he felt, not only advance the class of football in the district, hut also .he the means of helping football right along the coast. The Borough Council greatly appreciated the work of members of the sporting element in improving the grounds to such ah extent. Mr J. Rimmer (chairman of the management committee of the Rugby Union, stated it was the intention of the committee to hold dances at night, next summer, on the practice playing pitch. The ground would be levelled and re-planted with grass seed, and if a party of thirty or forty volunteers would get busy the job could be done in a very short while. Mr J. Walker, who was responsible / for the mustering* of the volunteers who installed ihe four big lights on the Domain, said that' instead of the charge for current being 2s 8d as anticipated, he estimated that it would probably cost little more than Is 4d per hour, which is, considering the high total candle power, a very reasonable charge. A party, representative of the local clubs, then concluded the function byrepairing to Mr Wilkinson’s premises where a few toasts were honoured, and many compliments exchanged. Mr Rimmer, in calling the toast of the Mayor, said he was satisfled—as were all other sports—that in the Mayor they had one who was “tooth and nail" ’ for sport, and he had assisted in many ways, the athletic and various sporting bodies. As a | donation to the Wanderers Club, Mr ■ Hobson had erected the fence on the side opposite the grandstand. (Applause). Mr Hobson said lie always had a j leaning towards football, and in the , days of the Waipa Sub-Union, he and ills four brothers were • in the , one team. What Levin clubs needed ; was the support of prominent men and if they took no interest in the players—who would? Perhaps the players that would be encouraged by the night-practice facilities would be the younger club members, and it , would greatly improve their play. 1 (Applause). I Mr Rimmer acknowledged the great I assistance given by Mr Walker, of t the Horowhenua Power Board. He ; along with the boys of the Power . Board, had ungrudgingly given their | services, and he most sincerely thanked them for the work they had done for football. “We are not, howI ever, stopping with the lights,’’ continued Mr Rimmer, “We want baths under the grandstand and already a large cahphont has been donated, so that when the players have finished their practice, or the players in a match have finished their game, they will be able to get a tepid shower bath. It was hoped also to be able to provide 30 lockers, each with a separate key, so that visiting and home teams might safely deposit their clothes. Mr Wilkinson, to whose initiative and enthusiasm the financial success of the scheme was largely due, was the subject of several little complimentary speeches, in replying to which he said that in this district could be found some of the best material in New Zealand and he hoped the players would take the full advantage of the lights. Toasts of “The Union,” “Players,” and the “Management Committee" were honoured, in addition to the loyal toast.