"THE BASIN."

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1398, 26 March 1912, Page 5

"THE BASIN."

"THE CINUERELLA OF THE R& SERVES." SCHEME TO IMPROVE IT. For the post twenty years the Bnsin J?» servo—Wellington's most central and valuable playing ground—has leen neglected. 'J.'ho authorities have only deemed it incumbent on them to exercise care in preparation of that half of tho ground where tho senior cricket games are played, whilst the other liall'-tho eastern portion—lias hud to be content with an occasional clip. The result has been thut tho outfield has become very uneven, while the turf has become- rugged and unkempt —this in tho face of a. continual cry for good playing grounds. The present Hewrvos Committee of tho City Council appear to be awako to tho drift which has taken place, for it has called on Mr. Glen for a report. That report \Ms nlaced before o deputation from tho Wednesday Cricket Association which waited on tho Kcurves Committee last evening. Tho report was as follows:—

' 1 beg to report that the cricket ground at the Biisin Deserve is in a very bad condition; in fact, it is the worst ej-ouml in the city, being very uneven, full of hollows and hill?. 1 consider that this suite of all'airs has been brought about by the almost constant use of tlni horse lawn mower and t'hi; horse roller, caused chiefly by the turning round sharply at the c.ids of tho wicket. I think it would be mores satisfactory if tho Ho-oi-vos Committee kfljil the control of all the grounds, the ISasiu I'icsciTß included, and charge the Wellington Cricket Association ami others for (hi? prejiar.ition of the wickets, I'ii , . To put the western part of the playing ground inlo order again, 1 would recommend that (lie best of the turf bn carefully taken oft", the ground regraded and tup-dressed with pood soil, the turf relaid and ti>i>-dre«wl with, good w>il and fine manure. Probable cost M 29. Auultcrnative would bo to plough in the present turf upoa the whole playing ground, and refow it with ciiueh and CliPwingVi fescue grasses. Hut the ground would rct[Uiro to lie closed for u longer period, so as to allow the grass lo cot; well established." As convener of the conference, Mr. 1.. M'Kenzie staled that tho reason why the inectiin; had been convened was berausn both the Wednesday and Saturday cricketers thought (hat snniethiiii; ought to bo done lo improve (he outiield at the Basin. As far as the pilches were concerned, they were of lute nil that could be reasonably wished for, but the oiiliifld was in a very lied condition. If the council adhered to the proposal to plough up Illy ground, it would mean that the li:i<!ti would lie closed for three seasons, but if it were re-graded and Inpdrcssed it might lie got reniiy for npsfc Knasnn. The fc'al'ii'ilny A'ssccintion J bad jumped at the idea of having something dono to improve metiers, anil had offered tho services of its groiind-nian, Mr. SaundiM's, for the whole of the winter if sonic arrangement could be made with tho council. That association was ntso prepared to contribute a sum of money, but what the amount was he was not prepared, to say. Mr. Cusaek had a proposal to make., which he thought would help matters along. He thought it a reasonable one. A.s everyone knew, there was no cricket ground in Now Zealand that was such a good gate-drawing one 'as thn Hasin. Whenever there was a big game lo bo . play* ed, Wellington was invariably selected, owing to (In , handsome gole it can command at any time. Yet it was not a first-class ground. The Auckland players had complained of the state of the- outfield, and ho was of opinion that they should do Eumcthins to remedy it. Mr, ,T. Cn-ack, on behalf of the Wednesday Cricket Association, said that' his association would be able lo raise lie-twe-sm .£3O to .CiO to help to ro-grade and top-dress the ground, lie thought this could be dono with from MOO to 400 loads of soil, which he was advised could be got for ss, per lond. The Saturday Association would, he thought, contribute at least another X!iO, and with that sum of money a good deal could be done. To do as suggested by Mr. Glen would mean closing the Reserve for a couple of years, but by re-grading and top-dressing it during tlic winter.months, it would be ready for play next season. Mr. Saunders hiul said that if the ground were closed during the winter the work could bo done at a cost of from JIIOO to ,£125. If the council would agree, he would get his assoeiar' tion to go properly into the matter. Mr; Cusaek mentioned that one factor which, had helped to injure the ground was allowing the public in between the lines to witness the winter camos played on the reserve. A patch thirty yards wide had been worn almost bara by people walking up and down between the- plnyiii" areas. lie mentioned ilmt West « nnd Hoyal Pictures had agreed to give them a benefit night, from which Hi"' could look for a return of between £M and .EGO, according to the work put in in Felling tickets. He disnfrrcod with Mr. Glen thnt the hollows bad been made by tho turning round of tho horse-mower and roller. Jt was not the roller, but the formation of the ground. Mr. M'Kcnzio tniil that, in .justice to Mr. Saundors, ho. disagreed with Mr. Glen on the point. Many of tho hollows were not anywhere near where (he roller went. JIo thought- that Mr. Glen had rather exnjriroratnd the matter. Mr. Crouch remarked that whatever revenue had bren got out of the "round had gone to the Wellington Cricket Association. Mr. M'Kenzie: "Thai's all spent on (no ground." ' Continuing, he advocated tint to protect the ground (be fenre should b? con- • linuod' round past the Caledonian Hotel, and the same at the other side of Hie ReMr.' fiponco. raid a tribute lo Mr. founders, staiiiv; that cricket in Wellington l-.nil cprl.iinly ininrnvril since ho came, mid would very likely "boom" in the tutlll'l'. Mr M'Keuzio stated thai, if the. council awed lo Hie nrnliosal, the ground would b" readv to play mi in. the Fnnn". Councillor Trust (chairman nf (he m>s»rvn« Commilfer), who presided, said that the couimidoe would never recommend that the ground be ;clcsed for ■ a vear. He mm! -ulmit tint the Basin \kk in a very bail condition; .and Ihn whole committee Mi that --iv.iirtliine. nn«t be flniio. It? did. not know , how they' would net ou with tho«c who winvod th<v wound dnriu7 Hie winter. They ver« to meet the other association, n'id would let them know as foon as possible what wn« decided upon. Mr Spruce repressed tho thank , ! of Ilin-e present (•) Councillors Fiwt and. M'Konzie for Hie interest they were Irijr\i\n in Hi? under, and for the >.\vk Mr, , CuVacl; had done.