LAWN TENNIS COURTS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 19999, 26 July 1939, Page 14

LAWN TENNIS COURTS

PROVISION FOR PUBLIC RUTENE ROAD SURVEY IMPROVING FAR ROADLIXG Proposals for the establishment c! municipal tennis courts in Gisborne were dealt with in a report of t,.e reserves ccmmiUe j at a meeting ot the Gisborne Borough Council, held last evening, the committee stating that it had asked the engineer to submit proposals for the improvement ot the Rutene Road Reserve, with an estimate of the cost of planting t ,e Iranui road frontage and establishing and maintaining grass courts on Unreserve. On this subject the committee s’,a; that the question of laying don. tennis courts in conjunction wii.i tm extension of the Botanical Garde . Aberdeen road, was discussed w.t • representatives of the Whalaupi. Tennis Club. “In the opinion of the comm.lathe proposal is not deemed advisable as the area required for tenuis worn, preclude any major extension of i .e existing gardens,” added the report. “It is, therefore, recommended that the extension of the gardens and relayout of the existing gardens be proceeded with in accordance with the scheme propounded by the supervising gardener. *

“It was suggested to the tennis club representatives that the Rutene Road Reserve would be a suitable ground for tennis courts, and they were asked to consider this proposal and to convey to the council their views. Discussion with Residents “Your committee met several K; :U residents at the Rutene Road Reserve, who intimated that they were prepared to assist the council in ih beautification of the area fronting Iranui. road by providing trees and shrubs. The residents felt that I'mappearance of the Rutene road frontage of the reserve was marred by the unkempt state of the portion fronting Iranui road. The engineer was instructed to submit to the crurcl " plan showing the lay-out of the area in trees and shrubs, together with me provision for tennis courts: also t-.ie estimated cost of carrying out the work by utilising No. 13 scheme labour, and the annual cost of maintaining the proposed tennis courts. “It is recommended that the supervising gardener be authorised to plant shade trees along the Aberdeen ror- i and Balfour road frontimes and the riverbank at Ayton Park- also group planting of specimen trees on too lower portion of the reserve near the river, leaving the ten portion of tim reserve clear for the playing ol games by ch : ldren.” Th" borough engineer, Mr. E. ft. Thomas, reported on the proposal to establish tennis courts on the Rutene road reserve, the report being not available for publication. No Funds on Estimates

Tlie 'Mayor, Mr. D. W. Coleman. M.P., mentioned that as there was no money available for the work, the council could hardly do anytning this year.

A letter received from the Whataupoko Tennis Club suggested that the Kaiti area was hardly suitable for the development of municipal tennis courts. The club considered that a location nearer Te Hapara would be more likely to secure adequate support from the public. Cr. H. E. Maude remarked that the availability of N0.v13 scheme labour should be taken advantage of. if possible. He thought that if the levelling were carried out now, it would be possible to develop the courts later if the council so desired.

7.he Mayor agreed as to the desirability of using No. 13 scheme labour as far as possible, but he pointed out that there would be a substantial outlay required in the equipping of the courts, and there was nothing on the e.: ,; mates or in sight from the club. He thought the council would have to defer the matter for the present

In reply to Cr. R. Morse, the engineer stated that the council could leave room for the courts and still leave a 30ft.-v.dde strip for ornamental planting. The engineer’s report was held over for discussion with the Lawn Tennis Association, and instructions were given' that the text of flic report be communicated to the Whataupoko Lawn Tennis Club.