PUBLIC MEETING IN GERALDINE.

Timaru Herald, Volume LVII, Issue 6059, 19 September 1894, Page 3

PUBLIC MEETING IN GERALDINE.

.n A meeting was held m the Volunteer Hall, Geraldine, on Monday to disouss the ad. yisability cf obtaining some laud adjacent to the township to form a reoreation ground. Representatives of the sportß and other associations were present, and there was a moderate attendance. Mr H B Webster was voted t. the chair, and briefly explained tbat his idea was that it would bo a good thing if it oould be carried out, but personally he thought that owing to tbe bad timeß they would have a diffioult/ m obtaining support, and the matter would entirely depend on financial assistance. 1 hey could havo part of his seotions at the same rental as he was paying. He called on the convener of the meeting to explain the position they stood m. Major Moore proposed— "Ihet it is desirable to obtain a suitable piece of ground for use as a general sports ground." He was always of opinion that the Domain Board Bhould be able to keep the park m order j but tbey tried to get as muoh money as possiblo out of it. They let it on a lease and horsea and cattle w.re allowed to graze thereon. The orioket club had gone to considerable expense iv forming a ground m the oval, ia draining it and other work, but owing to sports, Ac, being held on the same ground it was not fit for orioket. As long as the Domain Board went m for making money no sports or cricket oould be held there. —The resolution wes secondod by Mr Hood. Mr B B Macdonald remarked that the meeting should know ropra aljout tht, matter, and then they would see what tboy could do. Mr Pearpoint said it was purely the idea to see tbe feeling of the meeting, and if it considered that the time had arrived for a ohange of ground then the matter could be gone into. Mr Dunlop asked Major Moore if it would bs possible for the snorts still to be held m the park if the Board would forego the lease, and ft ppgld be kept solely for use for all the associations, wpukj tha ground be suitable ? Major Moore said that if it were properly looked after; tbe ground was good if it pould be kept In order, and used solely by the associations. Mr Pearpoint remarked that any money spent on tho park for sports or cricket 1 purposes would be useless. Some years ago j the pricket olub laid down a drain. There is I solid rock a^out JLOft down. If they did not put a lot of surface |oil on il they oould not form a good ground* Mr Dunlop said that it could be m^de a good surface if kept for the speoiil purpose required. Mr J Farrell thought that if they made the park into a sports ground it would had to be .piled, rendering the surface hard, and water would be sup to lie on it. They have done very well since sports had begun to be held m tbe park. The eleotio'ns were oorping on, 1 put good men on the Town Board wfro would well consider tbe matter. They pouid then have a proper ground kept m good order. Mr Hawkins enquired whether the promoters of the meeting had any particulars to go upon. Major Moore said that the resolution was to approve of the principle that it is desirable to have a new ground* Mr Pearpoint remarked that tueyeoqld have up to 14 acres. Mr B B Macdonald considered it was a matter of finance. As far as the cricket Olub was oonoerned, it would be better for them, to go on their own hook. The jehaij?raa» would like to hear of tome practical men bejnf asked to go over the pre-ent ground; If they £99^ fh* necesaary levels, for it to be properly draijaed f he thought that with a little expenditure it might be made good ground for the purpose. The motioa was put and carried unani--1 mously. /--,_ ' ' Mr' Pearpoint, speaking for the Cricket Olub, said' they deoided fa pal} a publio meeting for they oould see that cricket would not go ahead unless they had a new ground. They interviewed Mr Webster, who offered from four acres up to 13 for U y«MS afc » rental of 14b per acre, tbat being the rental he himself paid. The committee then went into the whole matter, and found to defray tbe oo?t thpy would have to go to the publio for BubaoxipUoni. The site is exaotly opposite MrMoLsod's paddook. fety little fenoiog would be required. Mr Macdonald would like to know if all the sooieties wero prepared to join m the matter. Mr Pearpoint said that at the reosnt sports meeting sll were unanimous. Mr J W Pye, captain of tbe oyoling club, remarked that if the park were made a first class .uorting ground he thought it was tbe Ibest place t? hold all the meetings of the vari-(us wwfetion.. , Mr f W 6_Q,tf*h Byg_ r «tod that a represen.

i, tative committee should bo elected to goj thoroughly into the matter, oither to put the j , present domain m proper order or to get a I 1 new ground. He proposed tbat Messrs '■ Webster, Mooro, J W Pye, W E Macdonald, i Farrell, Dunlop, Hood, aud the mover bo appointed tbe committee. Seconded by Mr Farroll. Amendments were proposed by Mr Pearpoint and Mr Macdonald, but were lost, and Mr Smith's motion carried. A meeting of the committee was held afterwards, wheu Major Moore was elected chairman, and Mr F Vfrlson-Smith secretary. The latter was requested to write to the various sports associations m Geraldine, ask. ing for their opinion definitely on the question of a new ground