BASIN RESERVE AND KENT TERRACE

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 8, 5 October 1920, Page 10

BASIN RESERVE AND KENT TERRACE

t 1 "Look Ahead" writes:— ; Thero are still those who are of the s opinion that any proposed' alteration of s Kent Terrace in connection with the 1 tramway tracks should not bo made with--9 out full consideration as to 'tho City Council's intentions in regard to the Basin Reserve. The recent loan schedulo contained an-amount for a new pavilion in the Bescrve, and it bas been suggested, in view of the ever-growing traffic betwflan fho city, Newtown, ond the eastern suburbs (via Constable Street) that the truest progress would be in the j direction of doing away altogether with *■ tho Heserve as a cricket ground, and r dividing it by a double tramway track into two playing areas for children, pror riding, at the same time, a cricket ' ground elsewhere. The four corners to ;> | 1)0 negotiated by the trams between Kent ' Terrace and Adelaide JRoad' cause much y delay and wear and tear on the cars and " rails. Against that, there are the in--1 tcrests of cricketers to bo preserved, and 9 whilst no one would suggest that they should bo deprived of such a ground without another being provided, the ; mere sentiment attaching to tho playing ' of the game (jliould not stand in the 1 way cf progress in transit in a hustlingcity like. Wellington. Unlike any other t playing ground in N«w Zealand, iilie 8 Basin Reserve is set fairly and squarely • in the centro of tho only possible clian- ! nel of traffic between the city and Wellington South—an nrea of flat land between two hills —and it is n<sfc conformable, witli rapid transit, easy working, and lessened cost of upkeep that this area should lie. retained in its present form. Moreover, there are schools all round the ■IJasin Reserve with limited play areas, and the tw« spaces which would be provided by d'h'iding tlio reservo into two J small playing areas and rest parks would 1 bo of incalculable benefit to the children attending these schools. For these reasons it is urged that, before spending large sums of money on alterations to the lay-out in Kent Terracp and on a pavilion, tho City Council should visualise the future, and provide for it, however distasteful it may be to those who are inclined to sentimentalise about the eld cricket ground. j