Racecourse Reserve.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVI, Issue 184, 9 August 1904, Page 2

Racecourse Reserve.

THE EXCHANGE REFUSED, The Borougli Council last night lurtihcr considered tho matter of the proposed exchange of part of the Avenue Koad reserve for St. Germain's Square, for tho purpo.se of K'ung the Agricultural Society a showground. O. Wood moved, and Cr. Browne seconded, as at the special meeting) oi last week, T.iat the council insist that the councillors for the time being of the borough l>e trustees of the racecourse reserve, tt nd provided'that ten and a half acres only are given in exchange and subject to these conditions being incorporated in the bill, and to St. Germain's Square being madei ii borougih endowment, the draft submitted by the deputation he approved, and a committee consisting of Crs. Brooking, Collis and Wilson be appointed to act in conjunction with the borough solicitors and Mr Samuel in tho passing of the bill, no share of the cost of promoting or passing tho bill to fall on Hie council.

lho Mayor said that he was of opinion that the constitution of tlie board might he so amended as to allow of the trustees being appointed by the council for two years, in order that unsuitable men should lie rejected after trial. There were men outside the council well qualified to control the grouud. The question could be met by the council having the right to appoint others to assist them in managing the reserves. Durthe:-, he thought It unwise to make two bites at a cherry. If they were going to give anything at all, give the whole 12$ acres, instead of ten as proposed'. Even the whole area was but little for. the purposes of an agricultural society. He was opposed to the idea that the society iliould be placed at Bell Block or anywhere els© outside tho town. It would reduce tho attendance by half, and incre a se tho expense to the public and to attendants in chargo of exhibits at tho show. Cr. Brooking wanted to know where the council stood. The Mayor said the position had been reduced to the motion now before them. In answer to questions, tho Town Clerk said that tho resolutions at the special meeting of the council had been passed merely to bo placed ; jefore the conference. , These were read. cr. Carter said the council was now departing from the previous decisions. (r. Wood said that ho did not think the council would be justified in giving away the whole reserve for St. Germain's Square. Ten acres would satisfy the Agricultural Society. Cr. Brooking thought the board of control should bo appointed from the councillors, us with ordinary committees. Cr. Browne : You'll use a lot of good men that way. Cr. Ahier : Oh, don't let's hear anything more about these good men, anyhow ? And why aren't they here, occupying seats around tho council table. Cr. Medley objected to boards having long tenure of oillce. The local Recreation Grounds Board was an instance of the failure of tho long-tenure system, notably in its dealings witlh athletic bodies. The Mayor differed. The local Recreation Grounds were the best in New Zealamd. His fdoa in having an outside board of control for the reserves now under discussion was so that sport should be considered. In fact, ho would like to see representatives of the various sports on the Recreation Grounds Board. Cr. Collis said that the argument was all wrong. These capable men were now managing the racecourse reserve and outdoor sports, whilst the council, as trustees, did not interfere. Sports associations were freer now than they would bo under a board of control. These clubs now hart the power to "tiro out" their committees if they so desired. The council did not want to try to manago any clubs. (Jr. Cliff objected to parting with the fee simple of any of the reserves. Crs. Ahier a nd Wilson ; Hear, hoar. Cr. Cliff continued that the council must not part with tho birthright of the New Plymouth people to come. Tho present offer of the Agricultural Society, a gain of £3O per annum, was a mere fleatoite, and not worth considering. They knew the story of Esau selling his 'birthright to Jacob, but the buyer was a clover man. That was tho position here. He would opposo any resolution that would tend to tako the freehold of the land from the burgesses of New Plymouth. Cr. Modley : Has the borough got the freehold ? The Mayor : Oh, yes. Cr. Cliff suggested that tho Agricultural Society s!hould sell St. Germain's Square to somcono else, and buy a site for its showground. Cr. Brooking : They can't. The Mayor said the society had yie power to sell. Cr. That settles it for me, anyhow. I was anxious to help tho society, and had no idea that they could sell the land. Several councillors : Wo didn't know that. The Maydr moved an amendment to the effect that the council shall appoint a management! board to hold office for two years.—This was accepted. Cr, CM moved an amendment that section 4 in tho present Reserves Act dealing with tho racing and training rights over the course bo incorporated in the new bill. There was no seconder. Cr. Carter thought it unwise to fog the issue with amendments. Cr, Wilson moved that the council inform the Agricultural Society that it cannot see its way to agree t 0 the society's proposals. He did not think tho council wns right in alienating tlw rights of the people. Cr. Brooking seconded. The amendment was put and carried on the following division : Ayes : Crs. Cliff, Wilson, Brooking, Collis, Carter, Ahior. Noes : The Mayor, and Crs. Wood, Browne,, and Medley. The amendment, on being put as the substantive motion, was carried. Tho Mayor hoped that now the council imd heard tho last of the matter.