WELLINGTON OVAL.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1681, 22 February 1913, Page 12

WELLINGTON OVAL.

The plan shows how tho City Engineer (Mr. W. H. Morton) proposes to alter the Basin Reserve in order to lessen tho cost of tramway wear and tear caused by the sharp turns in rounding tho Reserve. The City Engineer also claims that lie can make n more, picturesque sports ground. The chief feature is tho division of tho Reserve into two parts by running the.'tramway lines through tho eastern portion on a gentle curve. This proposed tramway curve provides for a blocked road 20ft. in width to take tho double lino of rails, and two 10ft. sidewalks. Vehiclo traffic will not be per-

mitted to traverse the new track, but (it is claimed) will benefit by having the use of Ellice Street, Dufferin Street, and Rugby Street without interference from tramway traffic. The scheme contemplates that two acres on the "Fountain" side of the Reserve, cut off by the tramway track, shall bo. reserved, as a playground far children. It is further proposed to plant trees round the, children's ground and half way round the rest of the Eeserve on llin St. Marie's side. To compensate for 1 he ground so lopped off Mr. Morton proiwses lo rc-inodel the western side of the Reserve—to cut' away

the sloping bank on whicl) the pavilion stands and throw the playing ground back 120 ft. to the westward, place a new sladium-like grandstand ngainst the back fence, and utilise tho slope of what remains of the bank on each side of tho grandstand for spectators' pavilions. A 15ft. gravel or asphalt walk will encirclo the new Oval, which will have an area of 4 acres 3 roods. The line marked "existing fence" on the plan connotes tho picket fence in front of the present stand. The running track, just within the fence, provides for quarter-mile lans.