RECREATION GROUND FOR GISBORNE.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXIII, Issue 7651, 9 June 1896, Page 2

RECREATION GROUND FOR GISBORNE.

A ÜBCIIEATION GROUND has— to USG i\ hacknoyed expression — been a long-folt want in Gisborno. The town is very badly off for public reserves, and especially reserves for recreation purposes. The one plot of ground set apart for that object is too small and unsuitable. For many years tho various athletic institutions have occupied grounds kindly lent to them at Te Ilapara for cricket, and at Captain Tucker's paddock for football and other games. Having no tenure over these properties, Ihcy were, of course, not in a position to effect any improvements, and the grounds upon which they had to play wore consequently very rough. Tho backward state in which athletic sports have been in this district for so long may bo ascribed to the want of a recreation ground suitable for tho players and attractive to the general public. From time to time, during many years, the question of obtaining further public reserves has been mooted, find Government has beon frequently approached in the matter. On the occasion of the recent visit of the Minister of Lands, tho subject wan again broached, and Sir MoKtnzie, recognising the want of the town in this respect, promised to do all he could to get a recreation ground for Gisborne, stating ho thought the large police and gaol reserve might be converted into a recreation reserve. Nothing has since beon heard from tho Minister, and probably the matter is being still kept " steadily in view." Tired of waiting, thu athletic societies have given up hnpo of obtaining Government assistance, and have started a sehenio to provide tho town with tho grounds. With thiH end in view, the Rugby Union has effected with Captain Tucker a lease over the present football grounds for a torn) of 21 years with right of renewal and with a purchasing clause. It is now proposed to lloat n loan locally to provide the necessary funds to keop the ground in order. A sum of LSOO is required, which will be spent in enclosing tho paddock with a corrugatod iron fonce, in tho formation of a cinder track, banked up sft each end, for cycling, in the laying of a cricket pitch and a grass plot 120 yards in width down the centre of tho football field, in the erection of a grandetnnd with dressing rooms, and a "peopled sand " the full length of ilia ground, in the erection of a band rotunda, and last, but not lcusr, in the planting of trecß and shrubs. If thiH programme is carried out it should give thu town and district a recreation ground equal to any of its size in the colony, and would no doubt tend much to tho advancement of athletic sports in our midst. Crickot has porhaps suffered more than any other sport from the want of a suitable ground, and the gamo would bo greatly encouraged if a good pitch were provided. Cycling has noyv come to be due of the most exciting

of sports, witnessed by immense crowds of people in tho larger centres, but unj.il there is a good track laid down the sport cannot be carried on here with any gußto, for with the present rough ground exciting finishes are almost impossible. Footraces and othor athletic games would be greatly stimulated if there were proper I facilities for the carrying on of such gninfcs, and the annual gatherings of tho Hospital Committee, Caledonian Society, Friendly Societies St. Patrick's Committee, and Amateur Club would be much better patronised if some comfortable accommodation was provided for the public. Indeed, tho Committee are in hopes that if thoir scheme is carried out Gisborne will one day see the championship athletic meeting of tho colony, which attracts such a large crowd of visitors, held here. To enable the scheme to be given effect to LSOO is required, and it should not be a difficult matter to float a loan for the purpose, especially as the Union guarantees sovon per cont. interoat on all debentures and ofittrs substantial security for payment of principal and interest. Seven per isoiir. is a good rate of interest in these times of cheap money, so th:it apart from tho consideration of promoting athletic sports and providing a useful and orna mental adjunct to the town's improvements, the investment should bo a good one. The Union deserves well in its venture, and we hope to Bee tho loan fully subscribed and the longtalked-of recreation ground soon an accomplished fact.