FOR RECREATION.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXIV, Issue 16358, 30 September 1913, Page 9

FOR RECREATION.

NEW GROUND AT SOUTHBRIDGE.

OFFICIALLY OPENED BY THE HON R. H. RHODES.

Southbridgo was in gay attire yesterdav afternoon, tho occasion being .the official opening of tho recently acquired recreation ground. The announcement that the Postmaster-General was to perform tho opening ceremony brought out a largo crowd of residents, people being present from all part 3 of the district.

Dr Withers (president of the Recreation Ground Committee) presided, and gave a statement of finances and a short history of tho negotiations leading up to tlie acquisition of the propcrtv. The Southbridgo Town Board, ho said, had started the agitation, and had been instrumental in getting a Bill through Parliament empowering the Ellesmero Domain Board to purchase recreation reserves in different centres of population in the district. The Domain Board had made a grant of £l5O, the residents had subscribed £IBO, tho Government subsidy was £IOO and a donation of £4O had been made by Mrs Bridge. This had enabled the Domain Board to purchase eight acres of the Homebrook estate, which had been levelled, fenced, sown down and planted with ornamental trees. The total expenditure to date, including the'ipu'rchase money, Svas £524 liis. The Hon R. H. Rhodes, Post-master-General, congratulated : tho" ueoplo of Southbridgo on being able to open the ground freo of debt. He emphasised tho need for such reserves in different, centres, and said that the policy of the Government on such matters was to help, as far as possible the peoplo who.. were trying to help themselves. The Government had given assistance in the purchase of, a great many reserves in different parts of the. country. The dominion now possessed 531 domains, of which Auckland had 148, Canterbury 100 and AVellingUm 74. Mr Rhodes spoke of the various. purposes for which ground could bo used, and said he hoped that the young people would look back with pleasure in years to cor»e upon the ceremony talcing place that day. The ladies would in due course make.an appeal to the public' for funds to improve the property by. means of a bazaar, and he was sure the appeal would meet with a generous response. Air Rhodes then declared the ground open, and Mrs Withers, wife of Dr Withers, cut the ribbon at tho entrance. Afternoon tea served by ladies of tho district arid a programme of sports followed. During the afternoon music was supplied by the Southbridgo District Band.