Correspondence.

Feilding Star, Volume XV, Issue 213, 13 January 1894, Page 2

Correspondence.

THE RECREATION GROUNDS. TO THE EDITOR OF THE STAH. Sik, — There is no doubt the annual Athletic Sports here have become a beneficial institution, inasmuch as they have attracted athletes and others, from almost all parts of the Australasian colonies, and with a continuance of really liberal prize money, and improvement of the grounds, these gatherings are destined to continue to be the leading institution of the sort throughout the North Island, if not for the whole colony. To givo still more inducement to first-class men to come from great distances, it may be advisable in future to still further increase the prizes, for one or two events. The grounds are nicely situated, and well adapted for various purposes, but it is said that the track iti the Oval enclosure has become rather lumpy in placei and lays in hollows iv others. Now, this was to be expected from the very wet weather experienced last wiuter, and from heavy stock, such as horses and cows, running on the grounds. In almost all laud areas of any extent there are portions that when worked into a muddy state by the feet of heavy anima'p, will settle or shrink more than other parts ; bes des, from the softer and sticky parts, portions of the 6oil and sub-soil Are carried away and distributed elsewhere by those animal's feet, which increases the evil. From the foregoing and other defects the ground will never be perfect without drainage, which I should thick would not cost very much, and I believe there is plenty of fall in a certain direction for the purpose. As for more troe planting-, as a writer in the Star recently suggested, I think a few rare ornamental and useful trees of a permanent or long-lived sort should be planted. If the entrauce paddock, adjoining the English Church grounds, is included in the work of planting, then there is no shelter or shade trees better adapted, at least to my knowledge, than the macra carpa and pinus iosignus, as their quickness of growth is an advantage, but as, I believe, both are short-lived trees, some of the before mentioned should be planted among them for the sake of greater permanence, ornament, and variety. But in any case if more planting is done, if would save trouble and expense afterwards to protect the trees separately, or to erect a division fence to protect a number from small and large cattle, as from experience 1 have found out that sheep when in closed in a limited space, will devout the leaves and tender twigs of young trees to the bare stem, in the fall oi season of drought and again at the end of winter, and beginning of the spring seasons. This is a subject foi the general public to be interested in, and there are other improvements wanted such as a shelter-shed in case of showers, and more seats. Some other writer may have some improve' ment to suggest. I am, etc., A Colonist. Feildinsf, January 12th, 1894.