TE KUITI RECREATION GROUND.

King Country Chronicle, Volume I, Issue 3, 9 November 1906, Page 3

TE KUITI RECREATION GROUND.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir,—Of the various matters requiring prbmpt attention by I those in authority, that of a Recreation Reserve for the town and district is one befitting your powerful advocacy. Much has already been done by the Vigilance Committee in public discussion, and by representation to the County Council and member for the electorate. As far as is at present known the fjcts have been laid before the Minister of Lands, but the matter is shelved, pending certain legal formalities, having for their object the consolidation of the varied interests of school extension, general recreation, and cattle sales. Someone must now strenuously espouse a cause which is moribund and may become defunct. The objects to be attained are :—(i) To have the present reserves for school, recreation and cattle sale yards set apart as one reserve for recreation; (2) To have the reserve vested in two trustees and not in any public body; (3) To solicit the aid of Messrs Jennings and Greenslade, M's.H.R., in keeping the matter before the Government. In explanation of the foregoing : The school is already provided with ample accommodation for all time; cattle are a danger to children; and for sanitary and other reasons, cattle sale yards are objectionable; private sale yards are being built in the vicinity, and when business warrants it, extensions will beipade with*

out State intervention; the Stock Department has ten acres on the hill near the school; one-third of the present reserve is not large enough area for recreation and public .'gatherings. Again, if the reserve be vested in a public body, the cost of fencing, clearing, grassing, r.nd upkeep, will be a charge against either the County rates, in which case the out-back ratepayer - , already locally taxed for roads, c-tc , might reasonably object as non-users; or, a charge against a Town Board, in which case an entrance fee could be legally charged on only ten days in the year, and, though many different parties might have.. the use of the grounds, • none could draw sufficient funds to do adequate justice to the maintenance thereof. On the other hand, trustees could run on business lines and satisfy all parties. Public body ownership has been tried, and found wanting, in other places. It behoves us to put matters on a proper footing before it is too late. Apologising for taking up so much valuable space.—l am, etc., E. H. HARDY, Chairman Vigilance Committee.