Athletic Club and Council.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 3710, 11 September 1906, Page 2

Athletic Club and Council.

IMPROVEMENTS REQUESTED. DEPUTATION & PETITION. COUNCIL TAKE NO ACTION. A petition containing 25 signatures of residents and one ratepayer interested in the welfare of the local Athletic Club requested the Council to make necessary repairs to the cycle track in Victoria Park as at present it was stated to be in a dangerous state. Cr Shadbolt introduced a deputation consisting of members of the local Athletic club, of whom Mr Frew acted as spokesman. Mr Frew stated that certain work was required on the track to put the ground in order. It would take a man about three days to do the necessary work and the club would * undertake to roll it. Cr Coley said a good deal of money had been spent on the track and the Council had got very little in return for the outlay. Cr Baker said the Council would have to study economy. The Mayor promised the deputation that the matter would receive attention, and they withdrew. Cr Shadbolt said the sports attracted between two and three thousand people to Foxton annually and if the Council did not support the club they would stop the people from coming here. If an accident happened to a competitor through the track being faulty the Council would be held responsible. Cr Stiles said if this was so the Council had better get out of it. If the Council had the means he felt sure it would be only too happy to carry out the improvements. Cr Shadbolt: Rook at the benefit the Council get out of it. You want to break the club. Cr Coley: Benefit! Yes, a lot of benefit! , The Mayor took exception to Cr Shadbolt’s remark. He said the Council had spent during tin? last three years os qd on iW* - ' track and in return had received £Z7 2s 2d. He stated that the weather had had a bad effect upon a meeting two years ago. Cr Coley said if the Council cleared the grass now it would be as bad as ever by the time the sports were held and the work would have to be done again. Cr Stiles here suggested a ‘ 1 tarpaulin muster” among Councillors, Cr Coley : Tarpaulin muster ! Yes, I would make a tarpaulin muster! I think too much has been spent on the Park and I will vote against any work being done. Cr Shadbolt moved and Cr Gray seconded ‘ ‘ That a man be sent to . repair track as asked for by Athletic Club, work not to exceed £2.” The resolution was lost, only being supported by the mover and seconder. The Mayor pointed out that had the petition come from ratepayers the Council would accede to the request. Cr Shadbolt said he could get signatures from 200 ratepayers asking that the improvements be carried out, and asked the Mayor if this petition was handed in whether the Council would carry out the work: The Mayor; Certainly. Other Councillors were of opinion that the Club should carry out the improvements required themselves, and the discussion ended.