CONTROL OF THE CALEDONIAN GROUND

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIII, Issue 20768, 1 July 1937, Page 13

CONTROL OF THE CALEDONIAN GROUND

To the Editor of " The Timaru Herald." Sir, —I am pleased to be able to again supply information to “Johnny Citizen,” who evidently is very anxious that he and other citizens should not be deprived of their rights. The Timaru Domain was set aside as such, at the request of the Caledonian Society some fifty-two years ago, and has been controlled by a Board, the members of which are from time to time nominated by the society, and gazetted and serve for seven years. At present the Board consists of W. Hall, C. Hall, R. A. Rodgers, J. Davey, M. Richards, J. O’Leary and R. Munro. "Johnny Citizen” wiffits to know what rent the Caledonian Society pay for the ground. A charge of £5 and every penny they can raise in addition goes into the grounds as permanent improvements, and last year although, unfortunately, the weather and the paralysis scare stopped the holding of the annual sports and they had a loss there, they still managed to raise and spend on the ground £BO, but over the years have averaged some £lOO a year not counting the voluntary work of the members which would amount to a very large sum. In fact, only last week members, by additional work, have given several pounds worth of free labour. The object of setting aside the domain was to provide a sports ground for the people and how splendidly the board with the co-operation of the society have done their job setting a standard of self-reliance so uncommon in these days of running to the Government or Borough Council for everything. This fine team—Domain Board and Society —by cash donations and personal free labour has given to the citizens, a sports ground that is a credit to them and Timaru and if “Johnny Citizen” knows such another anywhere in New Zealand that has been so provided by one club or society, I would be pleased to know of it. But "Johnny Citizen” would like the Timaru Borough Council to take control, pay out the ratepayers’ money so that some club could make money at the expense of the long-suffering public. But if we did hand it over to the Council, I have pointed out to "Johnny Citizen” what the Wellington City Council charges and the Timaru Borough charges clubs for using their parks and reserves £1 rent for either football, hockey and cricket grounds with costs of maintenance added. The Caledonian Society for many years charged cricket nothing but latterly has charged both them and the Amateur Athletic Club £2/10/0 each and two football clubs between them are paying between them £2/2/0 and the water-rate paid by us for water used by them, comes to several times their rent. The following comparative charges are interesting: Dunedin: Football, £7/10/0; Cricket, £6/5/0, and water used charged extra. Invercargill: Football, £3; Cricket £3 and maintenance.

Christchurch: Football, £4; Cricket £4, and maintenance.

Napier: Football, £7/10/2; McLean Park. £4O plus £4/4/0 representative matches with 15 per cent, of gate and 33 per cent, of stands. All these charges are under review to revise upwards. I am sure “Johnny Citizen” will realise that he is living in a very favoured locality and that Sports bodies are catered well and cheaply for by the Borough Council and especially by the Caledonian Society. Of course, there are always some people described as “scroungers" by the Minister of Public Works who like to take all and give nothing in return, but I am sure “Johnny Citizen” is not one of that sort. Though jealous of the citizens’ rights and privileges, he is also aware of their duties, and I am sure that he will come along to take the torch from the hands of the Caledonian Society who are perhaps weary of welldoing and carry it forward so that the domain which “Johnny Citizen” Is so interested in, will reach an even higher standard and he and I can be even prouder of it.

If “Johnny Citizen” can overcome his natural modesty and come forward, the Board will provide him with all the tools necessary for him and his friends and give them a Caledonian lead that if they follow, then at night, like the village blacksmith, they will be able to say, “something attempted, something done has earned a night’s repose.”

If "Johnny Citizen” owns a house, he will know that upkeep is a serious item. Painting, repairs, etc, have to be provided for and who should provide them? I say the people who use the grounds, and not the ratepayers. Of course, at present, the Board has been able, with the wonderful help of the Caledonian Society, so far to provide a sports ground for clubs at much lower prices than local bodies can and do charge, the reason being the unpaid work of the enthusiasts, who have tried to do their duties as citizens but I am sure we will sbon be put tn the shade by “Johnny Citizen” and his friends now that he knows the need. He will be there. We are deeply ■ grateful to the Caledonian Society for what they have done. Gratitude has been defined as a' lively sense of favours to come.. If that is correct then we hope to transfer our gratitude to our new friends who are so keen to increase the privileges of the citizens of Timaru—l dm, etc.; W. H. HALL, Chairman of the Timaru Domain Board Timaru, June 29.