GAMES IN THE PARK.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 8309, 6 May 1905, Page 5

GAMES IN THE PARK.

THE WEST END CLUB

All sorts and conditions -of players of out-door games take much interest in, the movement to form a West End ! Club, and obtain a piece of land in the | North Park for bowling, teiiniß and croquet purposes. Mr F. Wilding, who was seen by a reporter to-day, went into the legal aspect of the position, and discussed the Board's right to grant a piece of its land to the club. He said that the Governor, under Section 5 of the Public Domains Act of 1881, could lease any public part of a public park for a period not exceeding twenty-one years. By the Public Domains Act of 1895, Hagley Park was subjected to the provisions of the Act of 1881. By Section 12 of the Act of 1881, the Governor was allowed to delegate to the Domain Board any of the powers of the Crown except those conferred by Section 5. The power of granting leases, therefore, was vested in the Crown, and not in the Board. The reason for the exception was clear. It was never contemplated to entrust Domain Boards with anything more than the most ample power of supervision " and j regulation. - { The Christchurch Domain Board, he continued, had t adopted a very liberal and considerate policy in regard 4;o all branphes of sport, and had gone as far as its powers extended. He thought, however, that Mr Ell should be asked to endeavour to have the Act amended so as to give the Board, which was naturally conversant with local requirements, conditions and feelings, discretionary powers in the direction suggested. The greatest care should be taken that the rights of the people were not interfered with. He did not see, however, how the granting of the request now made could affect the public's rights in any way, while it would certainly tend to promote healthy* recreation, which would give cdlour and enjoyment to life. There was no doubt that the Board would 1 meet the wishes of the players if it had the power to do so, and the first step should be to, bestow the /power upon it The object of those who took part in the sports, and of the Board, and the newspapers, he was sure, was to encourage sport , so long as every right belonging to the public was jealously guarded. -. . In regard to the grazing lease in the Park Mr Wilding said that it was given by the Crown, not the Board, and had a currency of only three years. In it there were clauses reserving the rights of those who used the Park. The concessions given te the polo and other clubs were really licenses. The last relative of Mozart has just died the Baroness Berchthold zu Sonnenburg, who was a grand-daughter of the composer's sister. „ _ . We are not of the school which is intolerant of minor poetry (says the "Spectator"). It is an ancient and honourable industry,' and it has its degrees of excellence as well as other orafts. It gives pleasure to the maker of it, and very often may delight the reader ; but a cultured mind and considerable metrical talent do not take it out of its olass. The antithesis of minor poetry is nbt great poetry, but simply poetry—that evasive quality m thought or diotion which arrests the mind with a sharp shock of pleasure, that something which is inevitable and unforgettable. „ The vocations to which our latter-day women are devoting their energies are increasing in number, and realms unthought of before are being invaded. A guild or union of women chimneysweeps has been started in St Petersburg and Moscow." Its founder is the widow of a sweep blessed with six daughters. All seven belong to the guild and are active members.; No wonian: chimney-sweep is to be less than fourteen years old or more than thirtyfive but girl assistants may be admitted at eight years. As soon as a sweep marries, she must leave the guild. AIL must sign the temperance pledge and be members of the Orthodox (Greek) Church.