THE MASTERTON RECREATION GROUND.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 2, Issue 299, 25 October 1879, Page 2

THE MASTERTON RECREATION GROUND.

[To the IMitor of the Wairarapa Daily. Sir,—ln a recent issue of the Welling ton papers, I observe under the report of the Wellington Council thnt a sum of LSOO was voted by the Council for recreation purposes at Newtown, and that a committee was appointed on the motion of Mr Shannon to consider the cost and expenses of providing a marine walk and esplanade at Oriental Bay, for the citizens. Under the provisions of the Municipal Corporations Act, of 1876, it is directed that in order to provide for the health, amusement, and instruction of the inhabitants of a borough, the Council nvty purchase or otherwise provide land and buildings, to be used as pleasure "rounds, gar dens, libraries, &c., or for any o';her enjoyment or recreation. Almost in the centre of Masterten a valuable section of land has been set apart for recreation pur. poses without a shilling cost to the citizens. In this reserve, terraces and wilka have been formed and made, and a spacious oval for cricket and other sp >rts provided. About six thousand trees and shrubs have been planted, and several comfortable seals made and fixed in sundry places in the park for the weary to rest upon—all at the instance of the Trustees, without any aid as yet from the inhabitants. In May, 1878, a resolution, I understand, was passed by the Borough Council in order to grant an annual sum of £3O pounds towards towards the maintenance of this reserve ; but this was considered hv some erratic member as a wasteful expenditure, and afforded some food for jommentat subsequent meetings. This, probably, is the reason why the sum voted lias yet been paid to the Park Trust. It is, however, to be hoped that another Mr Shannon will soon lie found in the Council, who will take a little interest in this matter and endervor to provide funds to assist the Trustees in maintaining and keeping in order our recreation reserve. lam,&c,, Ci'iizen.