A TROTTING TRACK

Southland Times, Issue 19293, 11 July 1924, Page 8

A TROTTING TRACK

*A SHAME AND A SCANDAL.” LAND FOR PEOPLES’ HOMES. (Per United Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, July 9. The Christchurch Presbytery to-day protested against 92 acres of land in Riccarlon being occupied by a huge trotting course, as the land was needed for the homes cf the people. “■Nothing less than a shame and scandal,” was the way in which a Committee described the effect of the residential land being occupied by a racecourse. The protest will be forwarded to Parliament. THE DISCUSSION. CHURCH V. RACECOOURSE. (Special to the Tunes.) CHRISTCHURCH, July 9. “A racecourse anywhere in the country has an evil and demoralising effect on the community, but to have one within three miles of the city, aad occupying good budding land is absolutely disastrous.” Such is the view of the Christchurch Presbytery. The following is an extract from the report of a Presbytery Committee that visited the locality of the Metropolitan Trotting Club’s new course at Riccarton recently, and reported to the Christchurch Presbytery to-day. A matter Of grave concern to the health and growth of the congregation, and, indeed, to the sister churches of the district, is the proposal to establish a huge trotting racecourse in a central position, adjacent to Puriri street. Apart from the moral effect of such an institution, there is the undoubted handicap placed on the district by limiting the area for residential sites. Sites are already at a premium in this favoured district and 92 acres squandered for an occasional race meeting and its attendant evils, would be nothing less than a shame and a scandal. Instead, there might be built here streets and playfields, and picturesque homes, giving shelter to many happy and entrusted families, and thus set the foundations of the state by giving the security of a home to each family.” Rev. G. Lindsay said they were up against the racing community. He asked w r hat the Presbytery could do. The Moderator (Rev. W. Tanner) : Is not the matter before a Commission? Mr W. H. Rose said that the Presbytery should use its influence on the Commission. He could see that if in the future the property were occupied by the racing community, it would interfere with the religious affairs of the district. •* Rev. A. D. Kilroy said that St. James Anglican Church and the Methodist Church, together with the Presbyterian Church, had taken the matter up. The Methodists had thrown cold water on it, saying that it was too late. Another member said that it was a matter of the racing people going from one place to another. The Presbytery had nothing to do as to the site of the course. If there were more race days it would be a different thing. Rev. J. D. Webster said that the thing would have an effect on the whole city, not on*y the churches of the district. Mr Rose: It is going to be to the detriment of the parish. We should pass a resolution expressing regret that one of our churches has had cause to complain, it is going to interfere with the work v. c nave a right to protest. A voice: The trouble is that it is coming • cur the city. E -ar. dly the matter was referred to U>£ Public Questions Committee.