Recreation at Hikutaia

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIII, Issue 4391, 17 March 1922, Page 1

Recreation at Hikutaia

THE ALLEY MEMORIAL PARK. / SUCCESSFUL PUBLIC MEETING. Bowling, Tennis, and Croquet Clubs.

The community of Hikutaia and district has been fortunate in being offered a handsome gift in the form of approximately two acres of land (as reported in the "Gazette” recent- 1 ly), the generous donor being Mr W. H. Alley, a resident! of the district for the past 50 years. A FAVOURED SPOT. A representative of the "Gazette” was shewn the property a day or two ago, and was much impressed with its suitability as a recreation ground. The locality of the ground is pnly a few hundred yards from the Hikutaia Post Office, just over the Hikutaia Stream bridge, adjacent to the Hiku-taia-Paeroa main road. The land is beautifully flat, and will not need much work to get it into good order for greens. The Hikutaia Creek runs along one boundary, in a direction from north to south-west, and the northern end is bounded by a thick and high, eleagnus hedge. On the south side runs the main drive ,o Mr Alley's residence.. In the easterly direction it lies 'open to the sun, and beyond the drive it slopes away in undulations to a low, curved ridge beyond, thus giving the locality trie appearance of one of Nature’s spacious amphitheatres. On the banks of the stream, which is fed by good mountain water from the distant ranges, weeping willows and native trees add beauty to the scene. Besides the stream, there are springs of excellent water near by, so that for both lawn irrigation and drinks ing purposes the proposed recreation ground is admirably served; moreover, by trees, hedges), and ridges, the place is sheltered from the full blast of gales; it is truly .an ideal place for a recreation ground. Not content with giving the ground, Mr Alley has promised to defray all legal expenses in connexion with the transfer otf tlhe property, and to bridge a ditch where the entrance will be. at the terminus of the r;ight-of,-way that goes with the gift. The intention is,to make three tennis courts, a croquet lawn, and- a bowling green, Mr Alley having stipulated that within three years of the property being taken over 'a bowling green and a tennis court must be provided. A portion is set aside for beautification.

THE PUBLIC MEETING.

A public meeting to discuss the matter was held in the Hikutaia Hall on Wednesday evening. Mr A. R. Robinson was voted to the chair, and Mr J. F. Maxwell secretary.

Mr Robinson said the property Mr Alley had offered w.as singularly free from flooding. People from all over the district, as far as Whareppa, were invited to join a body to be formed as guardians, of the propetry. The gift was characteristic of Mr Alley’s generous nature. He moved the following resolution, Mr Hugh Morrison seconding: f “That those present, being fully representative of Hikutaia and district, gratefully accept. 'Mr Alley’s generous .and public-spirited gift, and pledge themselves to do their best to carry out in their entirety the terms and conditions, of such gift.” Mr T. Robinson supported, stating that the people of Hikutaia had always been successful in sports and all public mattery. He felt sure that if the project was taken up enthusiastically there would be no doubt as to the result. He believed there would be good support from the NeVherton side of the district.

Mr E. Elliott, Omahu, added his tribute. He was a member of the Thames Bowling Club, and he was sure that if some of the farmers started bowling it would be a hard job to keep them home. Bowling, tennis, and croquet would be desirable acquisitions 1 to the district Mr Maxwell said the opportunity had come along in Hikutaia. ' Bowls was one of the oldest of games. I v was banned by law in England in 1511; the Maoris played bowls in the old days, using stone discs 11% inches by 3 inches, and weighing about 41b. The ground was good, the sub-soil being suitable and ideal for drainage ; experienced men had said that the land would grow a splendid sole of grass for bowling, green purposes. Tennis and croquet, it went without saying, were very desirable recreations.

The motion was carried unanimously, amid applause, and on the motion of Mr H. Morrison, seconded by Mr M. Smith/ it was decided that the ground be called the Ailey Memorial Park.

The chairman explained that the promoters of the meeting had desired to call the place Hhe “Alley Park,” but Mr Alley suggested that it be called "memorial” in memory of the soldiers of the district who served in the Great War. It was decided to form a "Hikutaia Bowling, Tennis, and Croquet Club.”

The following executive was proposed : Messrs W. H.Alley, E. Elliott, A l . R. Robinson, I. M. Robinson, A>. W.

Alley, for the Bowling Club; G. Collins, Tennis Club; G. Avery,, Croquet Club, with Mr Hugh. Morrison grounds superintendent.; F. Maxwell, treasurer; J. E. Elliott, secretary. Phe meeting passed a recommendation that the executive commence laying out the grounds forthwith. It was decided that the members of each club appoint their own respective committees and executives, apart from tlhe general committee. Mr Maxwell estimated that £2OO w.ould be required for the roller, pavilions, etc. Much of the work could be done by working bees. The bowling club subscription was fixed at £2 10s.; tennis, gentlemen 30s and ladies 20s ; 20s. The following resolutions were also passed: ' "That the affairs of the Club shall be managed by an executive committee of seven members, four of whom shall be elected at the annual general meeting of the members, and three by the members of the three clubs, respectively, one to represent the Bowling Club, one the Tennis Club, and the third the Croquet Club, together with,, and in l addition, a Grounds Superintendent, a Secretary, and a Treasurer, five of whom shall form a. quorum; and that this Executive shall be the. controlling body, and shall be held responsible by the members of the Club for the proper conduct of the various games, the upkeep of the grounds, the safe custody of all material and plant, and the supervision and expenditure of the Club’s finances, such Executive to elect its own chairman.”

“That for the first year the officebearers of the Bowling Club shall be : President, Mr W. H. Alley; vicepresidents, Mr A. R. Robinson and Mr E. J. Walters ; secretary., Mr JElliot; grounds superintendent, Mr H. Morrison; committee, Messrs A. W. Alley, J. F. Maxwell, W. K. Mor-' risen, I. M. Robinson, and A. Samson.”

“That the annual subscription to the Bowling Club be £2 10s, and that, in order that an immediate start be made with the work, the same oe now due and current to September 30, 1922.”

“That, pending a meeting of the members of the Tennis and Croquet clubs, the following shall form an interim committee, with power to add to their number*: Mesdames W. H. Alley, A. W. Alley], G. Colliris, j. Elliot, and Murdoch, Misses Gibb and Frost, Messrs J.. EMipt<, R.' A. Grace, Lemon, W. M. Norton, and the grounds superintendent, the lasMnten"ti'oned being, ex officio, a member of all committees.”

Members of the various, clubs were enrolled at the meeting.

Mr M. A. Devcich donated £5 to the general funds in addition to his £2 10s as a bowling member. The chairman mpved “That this meeting place on. record its appreciation of Mr "W. H, Alley’s generosity in donating so valuable and beautiful a site to the district.” Mr E. Elliot seconded,, commenting on the fact that Mr Alley was also paying expenses of transfer. "While other clubs had to buy grounds, Hikutaia was on velvet. Mr Alley had also given the gift a patriotic meaning, and the speaker hoped Ms splendid example would prove an incentive to others.—Carried enthusiastically, with three cheers and musical Honours.:

Mr Alley replied, saying that he was not looking for thanks in any way. He thought the district was backward in recreation facilities, and he promised an acre, but as this was not quite enough he gave additional land. TJie best thanks he could get would be to see the place made into a good recreation ground; clean sport was one of the finest things a country district could possess. (Loud applause.)