CARE OF RESERVATIONS

Taranaki Daily News, 18 September 1934, Page 9

CARE OF RESERVATIONS

DOMAIN BOARD MEETING.

USE OF GROUND FOR CRICKET.

The monthly meeting of the Stratford Domain Board was held last night, the mayor (Mr. J. W. McMillan) presiding over the borough councillors. •

The curator, Mr. E. P. Blanchard, reported that in King Edward Park the large gate at the camp site was moved to the new entrance opposite the cottage and the road fence from the old gateway to Brecon Road repaired. Several sycamore trees were felled and a number of overhanging limbs from the pines along the west path were cut. In Victoria Park a quantity of soil was sieved for the top dressing of the cricket pitches. A number of native trees was planted in the old quarry near the racecourse entrance and a new fence erected along the footpath. The Stratford Cricket Club applied for the use of Victoria Park for matches and practices during the coming season. A time should be stipulated until which the cricketers should not be permitted on the central ground, Cr. R. F. Harkness said. The placing of the grandstand on the northern side of the park had resulted in the one football field being used more than would have been the case with the stand on the east or the west, in which case the two grounds would have been spelled. The ground was badly cut up and he moved the cricketers should not be allowed to use the ground, except for practice at the sides, till November 1. The damage was done when football was played on the ground during wet weather, and it was very unfair to block the cricketers from using the ground till November 1, said Cr. A. H. Trotter.

Cr. Harkness: The ground is not fit to be played on. The mayor: The trouble has been caused by too much use of the ground lying from east to west. It is not fair to penalise the cricketers for what the footballers have done. Cr. A. H. Nelson opposed the motion and seconded Cr. A. H. Trotter’s amendment that the request be granted. It was carried. Cr. Harkness’ motion that no more pines be cut in King Edward Park behind the camp site was carried. The mayor remarked that the pines were not at all unsightly and were valuable for the protection they afforded the native bush.