MUNIFICENT GIFT

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 48, Issue 2922, 30 June 1939, Page 6

MUNIFICENT GIFT

MERCURY BAY SITE PLAYING AREA DONATED CENTENNIAL MEMORIAL MR & MRS LYON’S GENEROSITY 1 For f eme time the Mercury Bay Centennial Committee has been anxious to secure a site for the proposed, sports ground but its difficulties have been solved by the donation of a most suitable site in the heart of the township. Mr Lyon who had already notified the committee of his intention, stated that Mrs Lyon and he, with the unanimous approval of his family, wished to give the ground as a permanent memorial to their daughter, the late Miss B. Lyon. Young People's Health He felt sure that the park would be of great benefit to the district particularly as regards the health of the young people and it gave Mrs Lyon and himself great, pleasure to think that this would be so. As regards the gift, the only conditions were that it could not be sold for commercial purposes at a future date and at least £lo'o must be spent on it within I'2 months from the transfer. Centennial Effort He made the suggestion for the ' Committee to consider that it should be called the Mercury Bay Centennial Park, the idea being to signify that it was a district centennial effort and not purely a Whitianga one. He also suggested that the park should be vested in the Coromandel . County Council and that it should be suggested to the council that the park should be controlled by a committee of trustees comprising the three councillors of the local ridings and a representative from all the local sports’ bodies to be elected annually. Work For Mercury Bay Mr C. H. M. Simpson said that since Mr Lyon had come to Mercury Bay he had been a wonderful citizen. He had been to the fore in public affairs and had spared no efforts for the advancement of the place and had, at some time or other, aeted in practically every executive capacity in the town. This generous gift, however, was' the crowning act and: he felt sure that it must rouse the people of Mercury Bay district to a supreme effort. Mr H. Robinson also paid tribute to Mr Lyon’s services. In the present instance he had not been able to see how the centennial committee could finance the project till Mr Lyon had played the part of “the fairy godfather.” He assured Mr Lyon that the local inhabitants would- be inspired to lay out in the near future a park of which he might justly be proud. “ Lyon Centennial Park ” Mr A. Watkins suggested to the meeting that in some way Mr Lyon’s name should be incorporated in the name of the park, although the word “Centennial” would have to be retained. On the motion of Mr Morrison it was unanimously decided to call the park the Lyon Centennial Park. Discussion on ways and means of filling in an open drain followed and it was considered that there would be sufficient spoil in two mounds to make the levels. It was considered that shelter trees should be planted as soon as possible. Twenty Guineas Offered It was decided to open a centennial list for- funds. Mr Morrison said that he was sure that the local public would give the scheme generous support. All would realise that the facility which was an urgent requirement in every place these days, would benefit the district in many ways and it would be a permanent feature. He himself, he stated, was prepared to give 2'o guineas if five others would do likewise. Five Others Required Various members expressed gratification at that generous offer and it was considered that as it was to commemorate the occasion of the centenary of New Zealand, there would be no difficulty in getting at least five others equally generous in the district. It was decided to open a banking account and Mr A. L. Dewar was elected treasurer. * The matter of the proposed eentennfal publication to contain reminiscences of the early pioneers to be edited by Mrs Hinds, was brought up and Mrs Hinds stated that a list of vt wes was being prepared and that a circular inviting contributions would shortly be sent out.