THE BASIN RESERVE

New Zealand Times, Volume LXX, Issue 3864, 6 October 1899, Page 5

THE BASIN RESERVE

RESTRICTION ON CYCLISTS. A discussion took place at the meeting of the City Council last night in regard to cycling on the Basin Reserve. It arose on a report from the By-law Committee, “That it had considered the motion moved by Councillor Barber at last Council meeting with reference to the gates of the Basin Reserve, and could not see its way to recommend that the alteration be made. On the contrary, the committee was of opinion that the time had arrived when the whole question of cycling on the Basin Reserve should be dealt With. There was no doubt that much inconvenience was caused 'td the ordinary frequenters of the. reserve by the indiscriminate use now made of all portions ox the reserve by cyclists, and also that much injury was done to that portion oi the ground set apart for cricket. The committee accordingly recommended that a regulation be made under the power given uy the deed of trust to provide that cyclists must keep to the paths, and not be allowed on the turf, and that no cycling be allowed there after 10 o’clock ir the morning.” Councillor McGill said he had talien the trouble to visit the Basin Reserve. Ho had found that as late as 7 o’clock in the evening men were scorching there. Councillor Barber strongly opposed the committee’s proposal. They had better enclose the Basin Reserve in a glass case and label it, “You may look, but you must not touch.” The Council seemed to bo always putting obstacles in the way of citizens. To say that the cyclists should not go on the ground was simply monstrous.

Councillor Fraser said-, the cyclists should keep -off the grass. Councillor Townsend failed to see why cyclists should not have the use of the ground as well as cricketers. •' i Councillor Luke said since he had been in the Council Councillor Barber had shown that he had designs on the Basin Reserve. He wanted to see it cut up and drays and lorries running through it. He (Councillor Luke) was tired of hearing the cry that the cricketers monopolised the Basin Reserve. Cricket was a noble sport, and all honour to the men in the Cricket Association, which spent £3OO or £4OO a year in keeping the ground in order.. The cricketers would keep the ground as long as ho was in the Council, and was able to help them. It was simply abominable the way the cyclists took'up the\ room. As soon as the Council had the 1 means it should provide a cycling track. Whether it was in Kent terrace or in the Basin Reserve would not matter. Councillor Smith said that if they were going to decide that only certain people should use the ground, why not make a garden of it, and put a band rotunda in the' centre ? Ho moved that the matter be referred back to; the committee. The Mayor said tnat the deed of trust provided that the ground should be devoted to cricket. (Hear, hear.) Apart from that there was the question as to whether it was not contrary to law to allow cyclists on the reserve. They had the opinion of one Sound lawyer that it was, and that if an accident happened the Council would be liable. He: (the Mayor) was not a cyclist, hut ho had every sympathy with the cyclists, and he regretted that proper provision was not made for them. If, however, they/continued to allow cyclists on. the ground; the cyclists would practically absorb it ns the population increased. He thought that under the circumstances the - time should be extended from 10 a.m. till 11 a.in. That would be a very liberal allowance. ■ -

V Councillor Smith said .he thought the Mayor'was partly in error in stating that the ground was by deed- devoted . to cricket. The Mayor said the; deed of trust slated that the ground was to be set apart as a cricket recreation ground. Councillor Smith : That combines any amount of things. The Mayor; Yes. but cricket first._ Councillor McGill said it had given diim. real pleasure to see tho children using the ground in such numbers one Sunday, but when ho saw cyclists “ scorching ” amongst them it took all pleasure away, because he was afraid some of the children would be knocked down. Councillor Fraser ; .And perhaps killed.; Councillor Barber pointed out that the programme of the Labour , Demonstration sports to be held next Wednesday would have to be altered if this proposal was carried. It was decided to alter the hour from 10 till H a.m., and in that form the proposal of the committee was carried.