IMPROVING THE 'BASIN'

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1401, 29 March 1912, Page 6

IMPROVING THE 'BASIN'

COUNCIL APPROVES OF SCHEME. THE RESERVE TO BE CLOSED DURING THE WINTER, At yesterday's meeting of the Reserves Committed of the City Council, special consideration was given to the proposal to improvo tlio playing area at tlio Basin Reserve. Dunns the meeting a deputation from the Wellington Football (Soccer) Association, consisting' of Messrs. H. M'Keowen, ]). Salmon, and J. J. Lewis put in nil nppearaneo to consult with (lis committee as to grounds. Speaking as to proposal to improve tlis Basin Reserve in order •to provide better cricket grounds, Mr. - M'Keowen said that his association recognised that the council was engaged in a very dclicato matter in arriving at a satisfactory settlement respecting tlio proposed improvements to the ground, and tlio various petitions of sports bodies which the committee had received. He took exception to a remark passed bv a ■speaker on a previous deputation that; the winter Sports wero responsible for a denuding of tlio turf in certain parts owing to the-intru-sion of spectators, It was recognised that the disturbing of the turf was the finest ff.ethod of cultivating or forcing fresh growth of tho soil. , His committee, after carefully reviewing tho position, recognised that (hero was a probability of being deprived of tho "Basin," and had come to the decision in tho interests of sport aad ill tho interests of the city that it would be most advisable to rettirf the reserve and not to plough it over, as it would mean a few years delay and prevent, not only tlio ordinary summer and winter pastimes, but seriously affect amateur athletics iu Wellington. Any person who has had occasion to be a" spectator at (he "Basin" knew the mievenness of its surface. Ho was therefore authorised by his committee, as chairman, to stato tliat it fully endorsad ""ho propisal to re-turf ana regrade the Basin Reserve, although this would entail tlio loss of tho ground to them for a season. Mr. Salmon urged the necessity for more grounds for the boys, as the increaso in numbers was most rapid. He would especially like to see Anderson's Park granted for uso on Saturday- mornings. Tho Amokura boys were desirous of playing thereon when in port. Ho thanked tho Reserves Committee for its consideration in tho past, and also paid tribute to Mr. Glen and his ground assistants. The chairman (Mr. G. Frost) promised the deputation every consideration, and slated that tho proposed allocation of grounds would be bruught before the City Council at its next meeting. After the deputation withdrew, the committee continued its deliberations in tospcct to tho reserve, and finally agreed to recommend to the council tho proposal to close tho ground immediately after Kastcr week for the whole of the winter, in order that the ground may bo regradeu and top-dressed, the .work to be done in such a manner that the ground will bo ready for the next cricket season. The roeommewVotion is provisional on tho Wellington Criiket Association, and the Wednesday Cricket Association contributing to the cost nn the basis suggested bv those bodies I t'oO enihl. with (lie services of Mr, J. Saunders (ground man) thrown in,