ONEHUNGA PLAY AREAS.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 227, 25 September 1928, Page 3

ONEHUNGA PLAY AREAS.

SPORTS GROUND SCHEME. A DECIDED SET BACK. The proposal to increase the number of playing areas on the recreation reserve at Onehunga by five, viz., two hockey or Association football grounds, and three Rugby football grounds, received a decided set back last night, when the Onehunga Borough Council was informed that the Auckland Provincial Patriotic and War Relief Association was prepared to subsidise the proposed unemployment relief works within the borough to the amount of £500, which would carry a Government subsidy of 50 per cent, if approved by the Public Works Department. The work on the reserve is to be done by unemployed returned soldiers, and they are to* be nominated from time to time by the Patriotic Association. When the proposal for enlarging the playing grounds first came before the council a month ago, it was stated that >the work was estimated to cost £3000, or £1000 less if the swamp was not included in the scheme. It was also stated that the Auckland Patriotic Association had offered to find half the money required to provide work for unemployed returned soldiers, with a £ for £ subsidy from the Government. On that understanding the council approvedof the scheme, and authorised the Reserves Committee to proceed with the work. It now appears that the total amount available, even with the Government subsidy, will come short of the first estimate. Mr. F. S. Morton suggested that the first figure had been omitted from the letter by the typist, and that the Patriotic Association really meant to give £1500 in accordance with their previous offer. Mr. E. Morton thought the association meant £500 as a first instalment of £1500. Mr. P. R. Lipscombe said the Rugby Union had also offered to donate £100, which, if received, would carry a Government subsidy of £ for £. Mr. E. G. Speight, chairman of the Reserves Committee suggested that revised plans be drawn up on the estimate of the lower amount now mentioned. He moved that the offer of £500 be accepted, and that the council apply for a Government subsidy on the amount, also for a Government subsidy of the £60 collected in Onehunga on Poppy Day. It was decided to accept the £500, with a request that the larger amount be given.