NO HALF MEASURES!

Opunake Times, 20 August 1948, Page 2

NO HALF MEASURES!

(To the Editor) Sir,—l have been following with keen interest the suggestions being made for the renovation and re-grassing of the Or.unake J)o----rn'i.in. First of all let me stale (h This leasee of the Domain I have two years at least to run. I am prepared to surrender that lease for eighteen months.to two years so as complete renovations can be made to these ground* In doing so- I suppose I am the highest loser financially of any Individual in: the community, but let it be understood, I am 100 per cent, behind any suggestion for the improvement of our local Domain. Being the biggest loser financially I think 1 am entitled in write this letter

The latest jsuggesiion that only the lower part of Ihe Domain shall be reconstructed is to my way of thinking a futile waste of money. If the job is go in<■" to be done at all THE TIME TO DO THE LOT,, IS HOW. as the costs of doing the upper half will only be fractional as compared to taking, a fresh bite later on. Moreover the original football ground is the wettest part.Drainage on this coast runs from mountain to sea and I cannot see sense in spending £SOO draining and levelling the lower ground if a wet morass is going to be left above it.

I understand all sports bodies with the exception of the Rugby Football Club agreed in the first place that they could find alternative grounds for one season, and were prepared lo makeshift in the meantime. Why cannot the Rusrbv fraternity meet the occasion equally with others? WHat’s wrong with Pihama Racecourse as an alternative ground? What’s wrong with Oaonui? Where are those stalwart supporters of rugby who have more acres than one at their disposal. Would not some such supporter come forward and offer an area for lease for one season? The rugby people have gallantly offered one third of the net cost for renovations to the grounds. This money has been contributed bv the general public from gatherings, queen carnivals, etc. I understand that a large number of citizens have agreed to guarantee the finance and more than was anticipated have responded, Thev are to be commended fur their generosity but are'they going to stand by and see the monev being expended in useless endeavour.

Expert advice has been sought from our local County Engineer, wlio completed a first-class job on the Ealiotu Domain. He lias given his advice and I suggest he should be given absolute power to do the job when and how he "•nggests. The onus is then placed on one person to make or mar the job but if the job is not a success and there are a dozen “Meddlesome Monties” all running the cutter, nobody will accept the responsibility of a bungled job. I challenge members of the Borough Council and those in dividual s who have gallantly backed the scheme, to get behind thig movement and see that a complete job is made of our Domain. The Rugby Football Club in subescribing one third net towards renovations may consider they can wield a big stick but each of the guarantors is making more sacrifice financially than the majority of Rugby supporters, and with the possibility of a substantial Government subsidy this should place the stick in their hands. Get to this job men. Don’t let it be a botch-job. Let us be proud of our Domain and show the visiting' public that Opunake citizens can do a decent job if they like to put their shoulders to the wheel. I am, etc., R. W. O’NEILL, Leasee of Domain.

(Our correspondent ig not entirely correct in some of his facts. Firstly the sum involved in developing the whole or part of the area is not known-; secondly, apart from the offer to contribute a third of the net cost of the development of the new area, the Rugby Club also offered to reasonably develop Nol ground; lastly, drainage “with the fall,” through the whole area, including No. 1 ground is to he thoroughly investigated,--Ed.) (Continued foot of next column)