POTTER'S PADDOCK.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9065, 28 May 1888, Page 3

POTTER'S PADDOCK.

TO THE EDITOK. Sir,—" Spectator's " letter in your issue of the 26th instant, re the accommodation

for onlookers at Potter's Paddock, expresses the sentiments of eight at least out or every ten who have visited the ground on both match days. We all recognise the trouble the company have gone to to make the ground what it is, and also the expense they have been at, and in writing this letter I have it all in mind. But, sir, it is an undeniable fact that it is ten thousand pities they did not do more, and slope the ground as "Spectator" suggests. Had the company either done this, or provided a series of raised platforms, they would have saved money, and got an advertisement the benefit of which it is difficult) to estimate. Of the eight to ten thousand persons present at the last match it is safe to say that the vast majority—< fully two-thirds —were disappointed at the insufficient view of the game that they were able to get. The numbers present are an indication of what the ground is capable of drawing if the people know they will be able to see what they go to see; but if the idea is allowed to remain that the accommodation is such that only two or possibly three ranks deep will be able to see the contests this will or itself thin the attendance vastly, and cause the company to lose far more than would put the ground in order in one season. And, sir, I would submit as a commercial spec, as a matter purely of £ 8. d., that the company cannot afford this. They have already sunk too much in that ground to entertain the idea for a moment of letting it be a failure. They must make it a success at whatever cost. How that shall be done I think "Spectator" points out in sloping the ground with a good bank all round. Of course I write from the public standpoint; but this fact, instead of weakening the position, makes it stronger, as it is the public fancy that is either going to make Potter's paddock popular, or make it a white elephant and a failure. But this is the question the Tramway Company have to ask themselves : Whether it will pay them best to make that ground the popular recreation ground of the city, or whether it will pay them to make it only one of several ? I would that there is another company contemplating endeavouring to do what they are doing. The shareholders of Takapuna racecourse are considering this very matter in conjunction with the Ferry Company, and it is going to be a question of Takapuna v. Potter's Paddock. There are many more considerations that might be urged, and doubtless many will suggest themselves from the foregoing, why the Tramway Company should nob spoil their ship for want of a haporth of tar, and spoil their ship they most assuredly will do, unless they provide better, more sufficient and ample accommodation for those who visit the ground to witness matches. It is not only the present, but the future, that has to be considered. Also in regard to tram service, they must) provide greater facilities—in short, they must be prepared to introduce a little of the American enterprise, and be thorough in this thing. That being thorough payß has been seen in the manner the manager of the Columbia Eink rakes in the shake, and it will equally pay at Potter's paddock. I trust I have not been too lengthy in this letter, but the absolute confidence of knowledge that I have expressed the sentiments of the sport-loving portion of the community must be my apology.—l am, &c, One of thb Crowd.