COOKS GARDENS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 73, Issue 62, 14 March 1930, Page 6

COOKS GARDENS

J MEMORIES OF THE PAST CIVIC ENTERPRISE (for the “Chronicle,” by S.G.D.) The outstanding athletes of the Dominion will be competing on Cook’s Gardens to-day and to-morrow, and on the eve of such an array of talent it would be well to look backward and take inspiration from the splendid civic work which gave Wanganui possession of so ideal a ground. Cook’s Gardens has a history. Like many another area of municipal usefulness it did not come into being in 24 hours. Broad-visioned men, athletes of another day, worked hard to carve the oval. They planned and carried what they devised into effect themselves. There were little differences of opinion to contend with it is true. People were human, even in those days, but one point is still clearly delined. A splendid civic spirit prevailed. It was compelling enough to form men into working bees, to send them into the piles of sand and among the . tussocks two days a week, and then r * to dig aud wheel, to mop the perspiration from their brows and enjoy tea that their better halves prepared. You can picture them. Alen like Air Hope Gibbous wheeling barrow loads of sand for dear life to try and beat Mr W. Al. Luxford, or Air George Alurch. The late Air James Aluir, Air James Crichton. Air Arthur Coe, and many another prominent citizen of to-day was imbued with a determination which should be an inspiration to the present generation. And what came of it all? There is no need to look far for an answer. It is not for the mere fun of it thal visiting athletes have praised Cook’i Gardens. What they have told Wanganui and have carried afar holds good. There are very few sports centres in the Dominion, in the world for that matter, which enjoy the outstanding characteristics of the oval and hillside. The York Stockade. Going further back, the hill, which overlooks the sports enclosure, was the vantage point of the old York Stockade. That landmark, unfortunately enough, has been swept away, but memories of it still remain. Pen- _■

cilled drawings in the museum can recall to many living still the perils of those times. To the younger generation they serve as linger-posts to the courage of the pioneers. Sand extended down into where St. Hill Street runs to-day, and over the far side, next to Wilson Street, stretched an area of tussock. It was a wild enough region then. In the course of time the area was contemplated as a sports ground, but it was realised that many a ton of spoil would have to be removed before anything of that nature could materialise. Prison labour, in charge of Air R. T. Noble Beasley, took a hand, and very slowly the oval began to take shape. Community effort came into the enterprise with the formation of the Board of Control of Cook’s Reserve. Air A. D. Thompson, then of the Wanganui Magistrate’s Court, was secretary of that live body. On Thursdays and Saturdays working bees were formed and with barrows and spades the good work was carried on. The Wanganui Amateur Athletic and Cycling Club, the United Cricket Club and the Rugby Union were in existence then. They all had a finger in the pie. In an issue of the “Wanganui Chronicle,” dated July 8, 1896, there appeared a report of a anganui Borough Council meeting at which, there was received the terms of an agreement on which the ground was to be leased to the sports bodies seeking it. This provided for an annual lease, the council to provide £3O towards fencing and the clubs concerned to lay down an up-to-date cycling track. The late Air Alexander Hatrick was Mayor in those days, and Mr F. Purnell, father of the present Alayor of Alarton, was town clerk. After a great deal of discussion the lease was finally drawn up and signed. Air A. D. Thompson and Air B. Fergusson represented the sports clubs, it was provided that a committee, consisting of three members from the Athletic Club, two each from the cricket club and Rugby Union and three from the Borough Council with the Alayor as chairman, be set up to control the reserve during the tenure of the lease.

Plan of Work. A plan of work was submitted to the council on August 5, 1596, and the Alayor, Crs. F. M. Spurdie, W. G. Bassett and E. Pcrrett were appointed to represent the Borough on the committee of control. The “Chronicle” of August 19, 1896, records that on the advice of the then Borough solicitor, Mr Barnicoat, the councillors would be better advised not to form part of the control board, aud this was agreed to. So, from small beginnings, there developed a very line sports ground. In the ”Chronicle” of November 22, 1898, it was stated that Air Walter Thompson, chairman of the League of New Zealand Wheelman, visited Wanganui and inspected the cycling track. “It is a real beauty,” he is credited with having said. “It has a splendid finishing straight. In all probability the cycling club’s Boxing Day meeting will bo held ou the grounds. Last Wednesday (November 16, 1898) there were 4000 people on the hillside, and three times that number could have been put there.” These words serve to indicate the achievement of the citizens. In later day activities, ne still finds evidence of a desire to maintain the reputation of Cook’s Gardens to the fullest. When Air Hope Gibbons was Alayor, a band of ten patriotic citizens guaranteed £5O each that electric light might bo installed. The enthusiasm and organising ability of Air W. L. Young, played its part in this effort. To-day finds the present City Council with a watchful eye on the reserve. When the sports programme commences this afternoon, with the eyes of the Dominion’s athletic world on the fortunes of competitors, when the public rise to cheer the winners to victory, let. memory fly backward to the days that used to be. Let people try to vision, over barrow loads of sand, over shovels and picks and cups of tea, the civic pride of a generation nearly passed. Then let there be inspiration!