TENNIS ON EASTON PARK.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 2379, 14 January 1922, Page 3

TENNIS ON EASTON PARK.

DEPUTATION TO BEAUTIFYING SOCIETY.

A considerable amount\ of time was taken up at Thursday night’s committee meeting of the local Beautifying Society in discussing the request of the local Tennis Club for support to lay down four courts on Easton Park. Mr MeMurray said that the Park was given a? a playground for all kinds of sport, and the Tennis Club was anxious to occupy sufficient room for four courts. The Club’s present site was not. suitable, and only provided for two courts. The Club’s intention was to sell the site and remove the pavilion to Easton Park if sufficient ground was provided for four grass courts. The Club was prepared to help itself in the way of laying down the courts and keeping them in order. Sufficient ground could be provided at Easton Park if the proposed football field was placed north and south, instead of east and west. It was pointed out that the location of the fooball field had been decided upon at a conference of the Council and Society. The footballers had stated that it was impossible to play , north and south, and the layout had been decided in accordance with this decision.

A lengthy discussion then ensued as to the claims of croquet and other organisations to the use of the ground. It was stated that Victoria Park would be an ideal spot for tennis courts or football, and if so large an area was to be given up to football on Easton Park, other forms of recreation would be crowded out.

One member objected that the Beautifying Society did not exist for, and had no power to allocate sites for clubs on reserves. Its only concern was to beautify the reserves and waste places. Requests of this nature should "be. submitted to, and be decided by, the local governing authority. The Society would land itself into trouble by taking up the cause of any club. Playing areas should be decided between clubs and the Council. Finally, it was decided that while the Society was sympathetic to the claims of the Tennis Club to have courts on Easton Park, the claims of other kindred sports should be ascertained and submitted to the Council for settlement.