THE PARK CYCLING TRACK.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXVIX, Issue 8149, 25 May 1906, Page 5

THE PARK CYCLING TRACK.

A QUESTION OF IMPROVEMENT. The Borough Park Committee met representatives* from the various athletic bodies in Masterton, last evening, with reference to improv-, ing the cyole rrack on the Park Oval, the coat of which is estimated by the Borough Engineer at £230. There wore prosent—-Crs J. 0. Ewington (chairman), F. W. Temple, W. Morris. T. G. Hoar, J. Elliot, and Messrs T. Duncan Bnd J. B. McKenzie (Wairarapa Caledonian Society), A. Haughey (St, Patrick's Day Sports Association), apd A. K. Johnston (Wairarapa Amateur Athletic Association). ' The question was fully disoussed and it was generally admitted that the work was necessary. Mr Haughey &aked what amount the Park Committee would be- prepared to contribute towards the work. The Chairman replied that that was a matter for the Council to decide, and he thought the athletic bodies should first inform the Council as to what amount they would be prepared to spend. Mr Dunoan mentioned that the rent for the Park had gradually increased from £5 to £ls. If the athletic societies spent a large sum of money on the cycle track they had no guarantee that the Park Committee would not then further increase the rental. Then again the Park Committee might take, away some of the privileges that the athletic societies usually obtained in connection with gatherings held on the Park and thus deprive them of a large amount of revenue. The Chairman stated that v no guarantee could be given as the personnel of the Pars Committee obanged annually. Mr Johnston stated that the question did not concern the Amateur society, as they did not cater for oycling events and therefore they would not contribute towards the cost of the track. He added that be thought a limestone track would be equally as suitable for the purpose as an asphalt track. The Chairman said that he did not think limestone suitable for a track for various reasons. Mr Duncan submitted a pronosal to theeffeat that the Borough Counoil and Wairarapa Caledonian Society and St. Patrick's Day Sports Association each bear one-third of the total cost of the work. The Chairman looked upon this proposal as a fair one. Mr Haughey did not think the proposal a fuir one. He was sure that hisSooiefcy could not pay £75 for the work, and he thought the Council should bear the lion's share of the woik. Or Hoar suggested that the secretaries of the local sports societies make enquiries as to the most suitable material for. a cycling track. Personally he thought a cinder track, similar to that formerly used in Lanoasrer Park, Christcburcb, would be suitable. Mr Dunoan intimated that he would give effeot to Cr Hoai's suggestion. The meeting was adjourned to allow of this information being obtained.