RECREATION GROUNDS.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 284, 25 August 1908, Page 4

RECREATION GROUNDS.

THE HUTT PARK. SPORTS BODIES ACTIVE. For some time past there ha? been a mova ment to secure the use of tho Hutt Parkas a general sports ground, for tho city 1 . This movement w f as advanced another stage 'ast night at a meeting of delegates representing all tho sports bodies in Wellington, , ',/ Tliero were present: Messrs. It. W. M'Villj ' , and W. Coffey (amateur athletics), J. J. 1 ' Roberts and A. Williams (Wellington Foot- ' ball Association), R. Bcere (ttfnriis and hoc- ' key), Horn and Shaw (lacrosse), Kimbell (Wellington lawn tennis), O'Sullivan (Wed- . nosday Cricket Association), Vaneo (Welling- : ton Cricket Association), W. J: Organ (hockey), C. J. Pfafl: and Cusack (Wednesday hockey), Boal (Ladies' Hockey Association), ' S. Brown (Wellington Rugby Footbali : Union), and F. G. Bolton, who' has taken a prominent part in the movement for some time past. , Sir. Bolton was voted to tho chair, and gave a brief history of the'trusts on wiiicL' the ground was originally reserved and of the - legislation by which control of the ground had been vested in tho Hutt, Petone, and ■ Eastbourne Boroughs, to tho exclusion oi Wellington City. He emphasised the importance of having Wellington City represented on tho controlling Board, as otherwise v, - tho grounds in years to come would probably ... be used exclusively by athletes of the Hutt ~ Valley. As far as Wellington was; concerned, ~ there were '109 acres 7 of freehold lands con-, i tained in the Hutt Park admirably adapted ' for sports purposes, and requiring very little expenditure, as they were provided with . • substantial buildings, fences, etc./, awaiting tho rightful claimants vt-o a share of. them without tho expendituro of ono shilling as purchase money. The property would provide forty playing grouuds with ample room for spectators, ; and- when the straightening of the Hutt lino was completed, and an Electric tramway laid down from tho Petone railwaj - station to the Hutt Park, the latter could be' '• ' reached- in twenty-five minutes .from the's Wellington railway station. Ho also men- : t-ioned that the ■ new ijraffic bridge .over the river was being ' -built to carry a line of. .tramways, and that by the Petone Council's arrangements with the various local bodies, Jackson Street was to be continued as a properly constructed street, right up to the l bridge. ,Mr. Bolton pointed out that all that was required was an amendment in the Act to give Wellington representation .on tho governing body, and the control that Wellington would have by ' virtue of its rateable value would operate to give tho city people a share in the grounds. He suggested that tho Wellington City' Council be approached and asked to take the necessary steps to have an amendment nwdo in the law, vesting a share of the control in tho,city. . '

Mr. M'Villy strongly supported action being taken. Ho emphasised the urgent l'cccssity for fresh grounds, the value of this part for all forms of sport, its accessibility from town and the fact that large crowds bo much more conveniently dealt" with by the train service than by trams. The grounds already provided by tho City Council, in Wellington were not nearly sufficient to meet the requirements of air the sports bodies. They wero already confronted with the necessity of going further afield, and it was essen T tial to thoso interested that an amendment bo made to the Act giving the City Council h, say in the control of Hutt Park. He moved accordingly. . . ■ ■ •

The motion was seconded by Mr-! W. Coffey, who spoke in support of what had ken said by the chairman and the mover of the motion, and also urged the necessity of immediate action being taken. The motion was carried unanimously.

Mr. M'Villy then moved that tho whole of tho delegates present wait on the City Council as a deputation to urge the advisability' of stops, being taken in tho direction men-, tioned. This was seconded by Mr. • Organs and further supported by Mr. Brown, who instanced-, the difficulties' that stood in tho' way of suitable grounds being procured by the Rugby Football-Union. This motioii- wslr; also carried unanimously. • '

On the motion, of Mr. Cusack, the chairman and Mr. Browii 'were deputed to arrange the date of tho interview with the City Council. A sub-committee, consisting of Messrs. Bolton, Roberts, M'yilly, and Organ was.set nip' to watch proceedings and to act if necessary. A vote of thanks accorded to Mr. Bolton for his action in initiating the movement, and a vote of thanks to Mr: J3rowii for acting as secretary ' and allowing the use of his office for thfe meeting, closed the. proceedings. .