VISIT TO MASTERTON.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 45, Issue 13982, 19 November 1919, Page 5

VISIT TO MASTERTON.

REQUEST FOR USE OF PARE!. AT BOROUGH COUNCIL MEETING.

A deputation composed of Messrs A. Donald, A. Chapman, H. L. Price and

JR. Russell, from the Chautauqua cir--euit, waited on the Borough Council last evening with a request that the Council ';giant the movement the use of the Park «Oval for tlie gathering from December Stb till December loth. 3£r A. Donald clearly and concisely placed the objects of Chautauqua before the Council. It was an educational movement from which no pecuniary benefit was obtained by those controlling it. The Chautauqua had a New Zealand movement, as a New Zea3and Chautauqua had been formed. The lectures, etc., given, by tfbe Chautauqua on the occasion of its aast visit to Masterton had drawn packed audiences, who appeared to greatly appreciate the excellent programmes placed before them. The high standard set on that occasion would be cclip-

L-sed by the artists, lecturers, etc., who visit Masterton next month. The <s&autauqua movement had behind it ■some of the best known citizens of New Zealand. He had personally gone into Tthe position of the cricketers using the Fork Oval during the visit of the Chau--ftanqna., and he -was pleased to be able to say that this matter had been satisfactorily arranged.

Messrs A. W. Chapman, R. Eussell and H. Iμ Trice also spoke strongly in support of the Chautauqua movement, esndor&ed the remarks of Mr Donald, and arged the granting of the request.

The Mayor said that the movement, ■jwluclt had been a great success last, year, had his full sympathy.

CJr. Atkinson, in moving that the request Jbe granted, said that Chautauqua was an excellent "thing. That it had ;.gained the approval of the people of Masterton was evident by the manner In which the lectures, entertainments, ote., last year had been patronised.

Cr. Henderson: "I am against the WcVshould not let the Park to Wcireus or vaudeville show, no matter 'what flash name they assume. The movement is nothing less than American business propaganda', just the same as we had the German propaganda. I not become a guarantor because Ido not believe in the movement. The s»ark belongs to the people, and if the <Jhautauqua want to show, well, let them ■take a. hall ot a paddock to pitch their tent in. The Council should not let the 'Oval to them. The Oval was damaged last year, and it is absurd to say otherwise. You cannot tell me that digging ■great holes in the oval for tent poles does not damage the oval."

Cγ. Perry: "I do not object to the ■dbuneil letting the Chautauqua have the Park Oval, but I think wo should ■make a charge for the use of it." He aaoyed as an amendment that the request be granted at a. fee of £25. Cr. Burrirlge -seconded the amenrloient, and said that he considered the Opera House would bo a much more suitable place for the Chautauqua than the Watson: "The previous speakers -who oppose the proposal, it seems to me, iitavft not the spirit of the community. They have not advanced one argument ngainst granting Chautauqua the use of •She Park. They'apparently do not understand the position. It is not an American money-making concern; it is a New Zealand educational movement." Cγ. Watson said that the public were Aot prevented from using the Park during the Chautauqua season, and.it would he unfair to put the movement on the same footing as the Caledonian Society ■or any other athletic body which hired lEhe whole of the Park and thus prevented the public using the Park with<out paying for . admission. The only -oharge in connection with Chantauqua ■was in connection with their entertainments held in a tent in the Park.

. €r. McLeod, in supporting the request, said that it would not be consistent to •charge for the use'of the Park oval this y ( £tf> such were not done last year. «k. O 'Leary and Candy spoke strongly in support of the request of the Ohautauqua.

Cr. Perry said that in view of the Reeling of the Council he would with--draw the amendment.

The amendment was consequently withdrawn, and the motion passed.

On the request of Mr Donald it was decided that the gas manager be asked to erect the lights in the Park, the •Cliautauqua guarantors to pay the cost ■.■of the labour. ,

The local guarantors were given the mse of a meeting room free of charge, this request also being made by Mr Donald.