PROPOSED SPORTS GROUND.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 14838, 15 February 1919, Page 9

PROPOSED SPORTS GROUND.

A FORWARD MOVEMENT.

A meeting of cricket. enthiisi;i>rt.3 and thuso interested m the laying tint of a properly appointed sports ground m (.tisborne was held last night, when the Mayor (Mr W. 0. Sherratt) presided over a .representative attendance <>!' ?>0 enthusiasts. The ground of 11£ acres, which is between Roebuck and Stanley roads, abutting the railway ]'me, was acquired m March, 1915, but m view of war conditions the matter of securing funds to complete the laying out of the ground and erection of necessary buildings had to be- deferred. In a, circular letter calling the meeting the President of tho P.B. Cricket Association, made tlw following statements : In consequence of the. happier conditions now obtaining as regaads the war, tenders have been called for the levelling and sowing of the new ground, tho making of five turf wickets, and the formation, etc., of road and entrances. The lowest tender is that of Mr 11. M. Shane, £995; adding to this the cost of soil for wickets, gra.ss seed, manure, gravel for Anzac street, etc, some. £400, the total expenditure to be faced is approximately £1400, which sum is approved by our engineers, Messrs Grant and Cook, as being reasonable. Provision will have to be^nade later for fencing and buildings, aiid it is estimated that £1000 will be required for this purpose. As you are no doubt aware, the object of those interested is to secure a suitable sports ground, not only for present day players, but alao tor returned soldiers, and the coming generations. Itis unfortunate that the Toadies' Hockey Championship Tournament could not. be catered for, the Poverty Bay ladies being the present holders of the trophy going to the winners. At some future date it is to be hoped that our grounds will be the scene of matches for the above, and if local players are successful, for the Hawke Clip, and for the Kanfurly Shield for Rugby football. My association is anxious to have the ground ready at as early a date as possible m view of a' visit from the M.C.C.. of a representative English eleven; the Is T .Z. Cricket Council, which is endeavoring to arrange the tour, has been written to strongly urging the claims of Poverty Bay to a match. If such be granted, it is imperative that the ground should 'be m a fit condition for such an important and unique event m the annals of "local cricket; apart from this, good p.'aying fields would tend to" encoiirage visits from other centres, visits lacking m the past.

I The .Mayor read apologies from Messrs F. W. Nolan,, J. W. Nolan, G. K. Pasley, L. T. Burnard, and F. H. Bedford. ; The latter intimated that the sympathy of the R.S.A. was with the meeting m the proposal. i Mr Maude then disclosed the financial

position concerning the ground, which appeared m our issue of Wednesday. Cricket alone could not cope with the expenditure ainless it was made a general sports ground. There were many men who would take on cricket on a properly appointed pitch. Tenders had been called for the work of levelling and laying off the new grounds, the lowest one being £995. He went on to give details as already supplied. In conclusion the speaker said the ground would 1 be a fitting memorial to those nien who took part m the war. The Mayor ; pointed out that £2400 M-as required, and an appeal should be made for that amount. He asked how it was proposed to raise the money. Mr Maude: By debentures. The district is a large one, and the amount is not a very large one spread over ihn country. i Mr Bright contended it was more satisfactory to make a direct appeal. He favored the support of the press, of other sports bodies, ami to organise a canvass. i The Mayor suggested' that a letter be written to the local racing clubs, asking lor a share of the proceeds .at thi-ir special meetings m March. Mr. Maude intimated that had alre.adv been done. Mr. Mat. Hickey on behalf of the P.B. Motor Cycle Club, promised that organisation's support. Mr. Cedernrall pointed out that the ground would 'be a great asset to future generations. - - ' IMp- e^oote (Rector of the GisboiW High, fccnool) expressed appreciation of the proposal, to acquire a propeilvappointed ground. ' i Mr. Faram mentioned that m Gisborne ! cricket had been played under difficulties, i . : - r -3 H - Mann > on behalfl of the High School Board:, said that as a Board he regretted no financial assistance cou'rl be made .out of their funds but the Board was m full sympathy' with the matter. ; The Mayor moved that the meeting was m support with the proposal, and that a canvass be made for £2500 m the town and. country m this direction. ! Ihis was seconded 'by Mr. Bright and earned. ' * j The following committee was appointed, with power to add to their number. Messrs. Stock, Bright, Nolan, Sherratt, Cedenwall, G. M. Reynolds. M. Hickev D. J. Barry, J. R. Murphy.' A. W. ReeV Foote, F. H. Bedford, A. H. WalEs' W.. Howard, H. Eton and H. Kenwav Messrs. Tl. Maude and 0. Temperkm were appointed treasurer and secreta,rv respectively. ' , ■ /'The Mayor moved that the meeting .'sanction the getting out of lists for subscriptions. This was seconded.' and carried. I Mr. Bullard moved that a specific memorial be made m the erection of a pavilion, with a memorial tablet. He thought there could not be a more fitting I memorial than a sports ground. He ■ pointed out the great part m the war played 1 by various recreations for physical development by the soldiers. He j felt that his fellow-returned' soldiers j would "appiieciate this memorial. ire | hinted that the Patriotic Society might i see its way to contribute a nice little sum of money. j The Mayor said the Patriotic Society was contributing to the memorial ward at the hospital. | Mr. Mann asked if Mr. Bullard iwas speaking officially on behalf- of the Association. ! Mr. Bullard replied that he was the authoritative representative of the Association, although the actual proposal had ! not been placed before a. full meeting of the Association.

The chairman, in' closing the meeting, said he felt that the matter of securing funds could hardly fail to prove successful. A vote of thanks was accorded to the chairman.