EASTON PARK.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 2293, 23 June 1921, Page 2

EASTON PARK.

COUNCIL AND BEAUTIFYING SOCIETY CONFER.

A conference of the Borough Council and Beautifying Society was held in the Council Chamber on Tuesday -afternoon to discuss matters in connection with the layingout of. Easton Park, and whether the playing of football on the park would interfere with the beautifying scheme. The Alayor (Mr John Chrystall) presided, and the following Councillors were present: Crs. Geo. Coley, Al. 11. Walker, R., J. Thompson, Alex. Ross, E. G. Martin, F. D. Whibley, A. N. Smith, and R. Bryant. The Society was represented by Air Perreau (president) and about 20 members, including several ladies.

The Alayor outlined the object for which the conference was called, and stated that the Reserves Committee’s recommendations submitted at last meeting of the Council re the park were not adopted, but it was decided to confer with the Society in order to come to some arrangement whereby improvements could be gone on with. The point at issuo was whether it would be advisable. to allow football to be played on the ground, and if so what ellec.t it would have on the lay-out. He understood that the Society favoured football being played there. The Society’s views were expressed by Messrs Ilornblow, Perreau and Aloorliouse, to the effect that in the original lay-out by Air Black a sufficient space was left in the centre for football and other games. The Council, however, decided to confine football to the eastern end of the park with the field of play north and south. This area would not .provide sufficient room. The area required for football and spectators would he 160 yards by 100 vurds. The Society recommended that this area be-used for football in the meantime, and. that when the scheme developed, football could lie played elsewhere. It would be many years before the full scheme of hiving out the park could be completed. In the meantime the ground could be levelled and grassed, and the front and sides planted with suitable shrubs, and conveniences erected for the public. The Society was anxious to spend the sum allocated on the park this year.

After further discussion it was decided to inspect the park, An inspection was made of the ground, and all were agreed that it would ho impossible to carry out any improvements to the centre of the field, and that there was not sufficient room to .play football from north to south. Councillors also drew attention to the fact that stock had been allowed to graze on the park, and damage had been done to young trees and fences. It was decided to take steps to prevent acts of vandalism, and to prosecute owners of stock for trespass.

After the inspection the Council met, and, on the motion of the Mayor, seconded by Cr. Coley, it was unanimously decided “That the footballers be allowed to play football on the Bark at the pleasure of tho Council, the playing area to be 160 yards from the eastern boundary, the goal posts to be shifted to 18 yards from the boundary fence and 100 yards wide N. and S, as nearly as possible half way between the northern and southern boundaries.”

It was also decided to authorise the- Beautifying Society to plough and level the park, and erect a pavi-