MORE PLAYING AREAS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19676, 30 June 1927, Page 11

MORE PLAYING AREAS.

NEEDS OF AUCKLAND, STEPS TO SOLVE PROBLEM. GROUNDS BEING DEVELOPED. PLANS OF THE CITY COUNCIL. "We want you to know we .ire making an honest endeavour to provide sufficient playing areas for Auckland, and this visit has been planned with the idea of showing you what is being done toward solving the problem." This remark was made by Mr. F. W. 11. Brinsdi n, chairman of the Parks Committee of tiie City Council, to representatives of sports bodies, who made a toui: of inspection yesterday of reserves and playing areas controlled by the council.

It is generally recognised that the demand for more playing grounds has far outgrown the facilities available. Each year brings large increases in the ranks of all the leading summer and winter sports, while a comparatively recent development, which has accentuated the demand in no small degree, is the growing popularity of sports for women. Hockey and basketball have long been played by the young women of Auckland, but the growth of such organisations as the interhouse movement has brought hundreds more into the sports fold. That a watchful eye is being kept on the development of new areas for women's sports was shown by the fact that yesterday's delegation of members of football and cricket bodies was accompanied by representatives of the. hockey and basketball associations.

Auckland's largest playing field, the Domain, is still capable of being developed, as the party learned when Mr, Briusdeu explained a scheme for providing 10 tennis courts on tho piece of ground adjoining the present tuberculosis shelters, which will shortly be removed. The stables in the vicinity are also to be removed. Money is on the estimates for excavating and levelling the area. Area ior Girls' Sports, Accommodation for girls' sports is to be provided on a small area at the foot of the western slopes of Mount Hobson, access being gained from Dilworth Avenue, Remuera. The ground is fairly level, and it is hoped to place it in condition suitable for the playing of basketball before next winter. The area is within easy reach of the tramways service, and should prove of great value in relieving the congestion on the grounds at present utilised. Hidden behind the Remuera school and facing Pine Street, is an area which was previously unknown to those connected with the management of the three football codes. The presence of goalposts was explained by the fact that the ground was being used by schoolboys. Tha sum of £I2OO was subscribed by residents, and the City Council found the remainder of the money required to purchase the ground. The ground was "noted" by several officials and, as it is understood to be available for play on Saturday afternoons, there will probably be competition for its possession. Epsom Park was next visited. At a casual glance, it would appear that a considerable sum of money will be necessary to transform the present gorsecovcred and scoria-strewn area into a level playing ground. Drainage will also be necessary, but it is not thought this will present, very great difficulty. The Government has agreed to give m certain amount of money for work involving labour only, Mr. Brinsden explained, and it is intended to take advantage of that offer. The Patriotic Society has also donated £SOO for relief works, and men will also be employed" under that scheme. On account of the nature of the park, it will be necessary to make the playing area on a low level, somewhat similar to the procedure adopted at Victoria Park. When completed, it is intended to utilise the area chiefly as a recreation ground for children. Large Ground at Point Chevalier.

An indication of how playing fields can be provided in most unpromising localities was shown when the party visited the Grey Lynn Domain. Gullies have been filled in and two fine, level. football fields have recently been made available. In addition, a ground has been in existence since 1915, and the area is capable of still further development as the money is forthcoming. It is hoped to erect a stand and terraces shortly, and these facilities will make the domain a model sports area. Floodlights for night training are also contemplated. The area is particularly valuable, as it is situated in the centre of a large population. One of the largest of the new areas being developed is the property of 12 acres recently acquired by the City Council at Walker Road, Point Chevalier. The purchase price was £9870. and reading is estimated to cost £3760, a total expenditure of £13,630. The area will be used both as a park and a recreation ground, and is situated within a few minutes' walk of Point Chevalier Road, along which the trams will shortly run if the forthcoming poll is carried. It is expected there will be room for five football grounds on this area.