IMPROVEMENT OF DOMAIN

Chronicle (Levin), 11 October 1947, Page 3

IMPROVEMENT OF DOMAIN

COMMITTEE TO BE SET UP As the result of a letter coming before the Shannon Borough Council at its last meeting, in which the local cricket club asked to have the domain put in playing order for the coming cricket season, the council set up a committee of three to diseuss the future of the domain with those sports organisations who have use of the ground. On Wednesday evening Crs. H. Aitchison, J. A. Roach.and E. Perry met Messrs. C. Mortimer and T. Roach (cricket club), D. Aitchison (football club) and T. S. Downes (marching teams), when 'the matter came forward for considerable discussion. Cr. Aitchison outlined the position as far as it affected the council, and stated that over the past seven years the council had spent more than double the amount that had been received from the-rents. of the grounds. He estimated that if the ground was harrowed and topdressed, and later rolled, it would be in a reasonable condition. Mr. T. Roach spoke of the work which the cricket club had to put into the domain at the commencement of each season to bring it into a safe condition after it had been cut about as the result .of football being played on. the. ground. Mr. Roach said that in the past it cost his club almost all of its revenue to keep the grass eut. It was only last year, when the marching teams commenced to use the domain, that they had received financial assistance from an outside organisation. Speaking on behalf of the football club, Mr. D. Aitchison pointed out that his club had carried out considerable work to have the domain kept in order. They had cleared most of the rubbish and rushes from the side of the playing field. He felt sure that the football club would assist in keeping the domain in a coiidition that it deserved. Mr. T. S. Downes said that the marching committee would be only too p'ieased to share in the work, and suggested that an annual gala "day be held with ' the ob j ect of building up a reserve of money to be spent in keeping the domain in order. He stated that although it was important to> bring the domain into good condition within a few weeks, it would be necessary to look to the future. If nothing was done it would soon fall into a state o^ disrepair, and would not be suitable for any sport other than football. It was then agreed that each representative feport back to his respectiVe organisation, and a committee of one from each of the three sports bodies and a representative from the council be set up to go into ways and means of improvihg the domain., In the meantime it* wasv.&gTeed; that the ground. be harrbwed and rolled, so that it would be ih reasonable condition for tthe.opening of the cricket season. Those present left the meeting quite confident that within a few "years Shannon would have a domain which will be a credit to the town.