PATEA DOMAIN BOARD

Patea Mail, Volume XLIII, 27 August 1919, Page 2

PATEA DOMAIN BOARD

CONFERENCE WITH SPORTS ' BODIES

A special meeting of the Patea Domain Board was held on Monday night, Mr. C. A. Larcombe presiding. Messrs B!routs and Davies (members of the Board) and Messrs P. L. Harrison and Alf. Davies (members elect) wore also present.

The following representatives of local sports bodies were also in attendance by invitation of the Board, viz. : Mesdames Holtliam and Adams (Croquet Club), Messrs Shield (Tennis Club), Tmney and Elder (Football- Club) and Hamel and Hemingway (Cricket Club).

His Worship explained that the object of the meeting was to come to some understanding with the members of the various sports clubs in the town. The Board was anxious to assist the clubs by every means in its power. He felt the time was ripe for a big forward movement and the Board hoped that the clubs would assist them in their efforts. The Board had decided to develop the playing ground first, and it was the intention of members to popularise the ground as much as possible. I’hc Board had some funds in hand and it intended spending this for the benefit of the clubs generally. The Board wanted the clubs to show an interest in the Board, and if they did this the Board would help them all they knew. It was .the intention of the Board to purchase a horse-lawn-mower with a ft. (55n. cut. This would make the grounds better for games of every k ; nd. The Board had also agreed to put up a better entrance, which would add to the Domain’s appearance. The kind of mower it was proposed to procure had been found to be a complete success where it had been used, so there need be no fear on that score. If it were necessary to have posts for fencing off the ground those could be countersunk in concrete foundations, and the mower would go over these when the posts were taken out. The Board already had a first-class roller which could be filled with water until it weighed a ton-and-a-half. Negotiations were already under way for a pair of shafts to be affixed to it for use when the mower was* purchased. Continuing, the Chairman said that if in the near future the present playing grounds were found tfl be too small then the Board could arrange for a huger ground in another portion of the Domain. Another need was a pavilion. The present shed was a disgrace and should give place to a better building. What funds the Board could obtain would be set aside for a new pavilion. He believed there were a number of ladies who were willing to assist the Board by joining together with a view to improving the grounds. The Board, for its part, was anxious to make the grounds a credit to the town and district.

In conclusion, Mr. Larcombc said the Board had no policy in connection with any war memorial, but they reserved to themselves the right to bear in mind (lie fact that there had been a great .war in any work they undertook. They could never forget the boys who had played on,, the field who would not come back. As individuals the members of the Board would support any war memorial scheme the public might decide upon, but they reserved to themselves the right to bear the war in mind in any work they undertook in future.

Mr. i\ G. Davies sjiid the purchase of tlio mower would outain a cost of some £OO. This expenditure the felt would enhance the v value of the Domain by beautifying the playing ground. The now entrance would also assist in this direction. Unfortunately, the Board’s revenue was not very large and assist-

r'.nec from outside sources would need to be forthcoming.

Mr. Strouts said lie would endorse what the Clmirninn had said. If the ground were improved then sports would bo encouraged and improved. He felt ho could say that although the Board controlled the ground they did not wish to dictate to clubs as to how the clubs should use the ground; what the Board wished was to assist the clubs. With the hearty co-operation of the various sports bodies they could without doubt soon have the Domain improved. Another thing was that if the various sports bodies were interested in the Domain they would see that it was protected and no harm done to the trees or shrubs. The ground had been neglected in the past owing chiefly to lack of funds, but he hoped with the assistance of sports bodies this could bo overcome in the future.

Mr. Hemingway said that the present proposal to arrange for the systematic mowing of the Domain playing fields was one of the best propositions that had been brought forward for the advancement of the town. One had only to look at the busy state of the main street when football matches were on to see what an advantage sports were to the town. Ho would move that the representatives of the sports clubs present that night pledge themselves to assist the Board in its efforts to improve the playing grounds by every means in their power. Mr. Hamel, in seconding the motion, said he desired to thank the members of the Board for the proposal that had been brought forward. The Cricket Club was only a young club and its expenses were heavy. Still it would be prepared to assist the Board by every means in its power.

Mi-. Shield Kiiid that in former years each club using the ground had paid a fixed sum to the Board for the use of the ground. It was a pity the Sports Club had died out ns it meant the expenditure of about £IOO in the town. It the lawn mower were going to minimise labour then the dubs would no doubt be prepared to pay a substantial sum each year.

pared to pay a substantial sum each, year. Mr. Elder, on behalf of the Football Club, thanked the Board for the suggestions with regard to the improvement of the ground. Through the generosity or the public the Football Club was in funds and was prepared to assist the Board in fencing and other improvements.

Mr. F. L. Harrison, on behalf of the Croquet Club, thanked the Board for the suggestion put forward to foster sport in the town, There was no doubt their sports were a benefit to the individual and the community as well, they had only to look back to the late war to see that those who had done best on the field of battle were those who were the keenest of sports. Ho was surprised to learn how little the income of the Board was in comparison with the acreage it had to attend to. With regard to the proposed fence, ho hoped the Board would see that it was put up so as not to interfere with other sports. In connection with the proposed gateway ho would like to point out that the present entrance was most unsuitable. He hoped the new one would be shifted to some other point.

Tho Chairman said the present entrance had been a bone of contention for some time past. He would like to explain that there was already a splendid drive for vehicles which could bo used in the future.

Mr. Alf. Davies said he was delighted to hear the Chairman’s remarks on the progressive policy the Board was intending to adopt. It rested with the members of the sports bodies to see that, the Board’s proposals were duly carried out. Personally he would be prepared to assist the Board in carrying out its progressive policy. Mr. P. Tinney, on behalf of the Football Club, thanked the Board for its progressive scheme which ho hoped would be carried out. With regard to the fence, if the present live hedge were removed it would assist matters considerably.

The Chairman said the question of the mower was one for the clubs to consider. Personally, he felt convinced the clubs would welcome its purchase. With reference to representation of the clubs on the Board he would make the suggestion to the sports people to agree to nominate one of the present members to rpresent them., and also another member to make a seventh member of :he Board.

The resolution was then put and carried unanimously. In reply to Mr. Hemingway, Mr. ytrouts said the Board would welcome a Works Committee of the Board with a representative of each, sports body on it.

Mr. Harrison said he would* go a step further and' : let each one of the present members x'cprescnt one of the sports clubs in th town.

After further discussion it was de.cided that the Board arrange with the iadics for a dance in aid of the Board’s funds at an early date. Mr. Tinney said with regard to the’ extension of the ground, if ttc present elcagnus hedge parallel with the road were removed it would help to widen the ground. The entrance could then be put in the middle of the field, which would improve matters. Mr. Shield said that if the present pavilion were removed and the new one were creeled further back, the playing ground would be considerably widened.

Mr. Harrison said the drive widened out as it neared the Tennis Club’s shed. If the pavilion were erected nearer the Tenuis Club’s it would widen the

ground. Mr. Tinncy said a good pavilion would be a splendid asset. Underneath they could have a gymnasium, dressing shed, dining room, etc. A gymnasium was badlv needed in the town.

The Chairman .said it was an excellent suggestion and one the Board would bear in mind.

In reply to Mr Hemingway the Chairman said the mower would be ordered by telegram in the morning. 'There being no further business tho Chairman thanked members for their attendance, and the meeting adjourned