“Home Of Sport.” A. And P. Society’s Proposed New Ground

Northern Advocate, 29 September 1938, Page 13

“Home Of Sport.” A. And P. Society’s Proposed New Ground

JpURTHER DETAILS CF THE WHA NGAREI A. AND P. SOCIETY’S PROPOSALS TO ESTABLISH,. AS A CENTENNIAL PROJECT. COMPREHENSIVE NpV SHOWGROUNDS AND SPORTS GROUNDS ON A HARBOUR RECLAMATION AREA AT THE FOOT OF HANNAH STREET WERE REVEALED LAST NEGHT.

The proposed new grounds were described as a oossible “home of sport” in Whangarei.

The president of the association, Mr H. W. James, and the secretary, Mr C. P. Butler, attended the annual meeting of the North Auckland Lawn Tennis Association with the proposal that the association should accept the Use of portion of the area under consideration for the layingdown of tennis courts.

The Society’s Plan. A full statement presented to the meeting by Mr Butler read ari follows: “Realising that the Whangarei Winter Exhibition has outgrown the property on which it at present stages this function, and also the fact that there are many sports organisations in the town which have not suitable areas upon which to stage their particular activities, the Whangarei Agricultural and Pastoral Society has embarked on a scheme with the object of . removing those disabilities and at the same time providing a fitting Celebration of the Centenary of the Dominion in 1940. “The society has entered into negotiations with the Whangarei Harbour . Board for the renewable perpetual lease of an,area of land, some 16 acres in extent, situated at the foot of. Hannah Street and within two or three chains of the site of its present Winter Show grounds. “The area is reclaimed land, a large : , section of which is dry shingle foundation. The land is bounded on three sides by salt water, and in view of its proximity to the town lends itself admirably for the purposes contem- j plated. ' Filling Operations. | “The society proposes to clear and fill the-low portions, and anticipates! being able to accomplish, this by ar- j ranging with . the harbour board to pump silt from the Hatea channel by | its dredge, and if this can be arranged 1 it should have the effect of mitigating I tb some extent, the present flooding! 6f the lower .areas of the town. The area itself, known as Hihiaua Reclamation, is not subject to flooding on ' v'T ”■ its higher levels and the filling above jpentioned will lift all of it above flood danger. “Tile subsoil is, as mentioned, shingle, and thus excellently drained a’nd when converted to playing fields and showgrounds will enable sports ; be on irrespective of-the moods of the elements. Comprehensive Scheme. “The SOciety proposes to utilise a portion of the area for its show buildings and to lay cut, the balance, ais football grounds, cricket pitches, hockey and tennis grounds, cycle and turning track—in brief to cater for every sport possible. The proximity of the salt water will also enable, in the future, the provision for aquatic sports and swimming baths. s “The show buildings, as planned, make provision for a large hall which would be available for physical culture, boxing, wrestling, etc., .and lec-

ture halls to cater for the more serious phase of modern life. “This area, when developed, as outlined. would in addition, prove an admirable area for the use of the country’s defence forces for annual camps and training purposes, as the various show buildings could play their part in the provision of camp buildings. “To carry out this programme the society is naturally faced with the provision of finance and it has resolved to offer for public subscription some 500 bonds, each of a face value of £lO.

• “These bonds will carry no interest but will be secured, through trustees, by a twenty-year life insurance endowment policy, issued by .a leading life insurance company and participating in the profits of that company. The annual premium will be payable by the society, and the trustees will receive, for distribution to the bond holders, at maturity or earlier if death of insuree occurs, the full amount of the policy plus bonuses declared to date.

“The society feels that in achieving this scheme it would, with the full support of the district, be carrying out the objects for which it was established, and in addition creating a lasting memorial to commemorate the first hundred years of the Dominion.” the statement concluded. ‘‘The cricketers’ organisation has offered to come in with us, and I can see no reason why every sports body in Whangarei should not be behind the society in this project,” said Mr James, in placing a similar proposition before the members of the Tennis Association. “Home of Sport.” Mr James displayed a plan of the proposed extensive new show buildings. In these, he said, there would be accommodation for meetings of the various bodies, and the rooms so used could be used as the home of those organisations. “We hope, in fact, that the property will become the home of sport in Whangarei,” he added. In answer to questions as to the method of administering tennis courts should the tennis association decide to co-operate, Mr James said that this matter had not yet been considered. If the society laid down the courts it would charge a rental for their use. If, however, the association financed the’ laying of the courts, no rental, naturally, would be charged on its own expenditure. Financial Assistance. “We understand that, through a| local body, we could get money from the National Council oi Physical Welfare and Recreation,” said the chairman, Mr K. Hayr, in raising the question of possible finance from the association’s point of view. “The society would not be classed !

as a local body,” replied Mr James. “The possibility of getting funds direct from this new organisation- is very remote. We discussed that question with the Minister of Finance, the Hon. W. Nash, when he was here on Tuesday morning, and he advised us not to press the point. So many applications of a like nature have been received that to satisfy those in the Whangarei district alone would require several thousands of pounds, and to meet half the requests from the whole of the Dominion it would run into millions.”

Mr James agreed that it would be possible for the A. and P. Society to be constituted a domain board in control of the grounds, and in such a capacity to secure funds for other organisations making application through it.

Only One Lessee.

In answer to questions by Mr Oldcorn Mr James said there would be no objection to the erection of pavilions on the new grounds, provided they were built to the society’s specifications. It would not be possible for the tennis association to secure an individual tenancy from the harbour board, however, as that body was determined to deal with only the one lessee.

Mr James further considered that any organisation assisting the society to develop the grounds would have a right to consideration in the control of the property, although the actual tenure would be on the lines of a properly drawn up agreement Although extensive filling was necessary, there was already sufficient land available for the laying-down of as many tennis courts as would be required. New Site For Show. “We had hoped to see the next show on the new ground, but probably we will miss in that respect,” added Mr James. “However, we will be very disappointed if the is not hold there the following year.” “Is there nothing we can do to assist you in the meantime?” asked the chairman. “I’m afraid not,” replied Mr James.

Mr James added that with the proposed scheme of the harbour board to deviate the Waiorohia Stream, there was a possibility that the block could bo extended at a later date. “This project has teen a dream of mine for many years,” said Mr James. “I am looking forward to the day when, with a little public support wo shall have a ground of which Whangarei may be proud.” Mr James and Mr Butler were thanked for their information, the chairman assuring them that their offer would receive the association’s fullest consideration. Kensington Park Alternative.

“The North is growing, and the scope of the association now warrants a home ground,” remarked the chairman, when the matter was being considered by the meeting at a later stage.

Mr Hayr said that the Whangarei Borough Council was very keen for the association to make Kensington Park its home, and he was confident he said, that if this was agreed to

the association would have no difficulty in securing finance from the Government through the council. Hard courts would be laid, said Mr Hayr, and of these eight would be occupied during the week by interhouse tennis competition. which

would provide a source of considerable revenue. On Saturdays the courts would be used for inter-club matches and tournament play. During the winter the basketball association would be glad to take them over. “Last year wo started off by secur-

ing the use of four of the Whangarei Club’s courts, and that number was soon increased to six, showing the definite need for such a provision.”

added Mr Hayr. There would bo room to put in as many courts as would be desired at Kensington Park, but the question of distance from the town had to be considered. A pavilion could be erected, but not adjacent to the courts inside the oval. Picture Place of Town. “If the A. and P. Society’s scheme is brought to fruition that area will be one of the picture places of the town, and the association could not do belter than to go there,” declared Mr Oldcorn. “The longer we leave our decision

the less char.cc try have ol‘ getting the use of the land," remarked the chairman. It was agreed, however, that at the moment the association could go no further in the matter.