Manawatu Herald THURSDAY, MARCH 23, 1922. SPORTS CLUBS AND PLAYING AREAS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 2408, 23 March 1922, Page 2

Manawatu Herald THURSDAY, MARCH 23, 1922. SPORTS CLUBS AND PLAYING AREAS.

THE various local sports clubs nil want to concentrate their games on Easton Park —an area of four aoril,. We believe we are right in saying that this piece of Hind, which is at least two acres short of the area required to accommodate footballers, cricketers, tennis and <• rootlet players, was to be laid out in shrubberies, garden plots, and a central oval or lawn. Hence the Beatifying Society’s plan of operations. Until the Society was ready to carry out its Scheme, the footballers were to be allowed the use of the ground —at the pleasure of the Council. The applications for playing areas from other clubs, if agreed to, will restrict the beautifying operations to the planting of boundary hedges and making the Main and Johnston Streets entrances attractive. A certain sum lias been ear-marked by the Society for the. erection of a pavilion on the ground, which was part of the original scheme, which, if interfered with, will invalidate the proposed expenditure. If conveniences are required in order to meet the venienees and popularise certain branches of desirable sport, why should the Beautifying Society be called upon to provide them? Certainly there is no provision under their constitution, which lays down as its fundamental objects: (1) “To lay out and plant with trees; shrubs and flowers such uncultivated spaces as are in the opinion, of the Society suited for that purpose; (2) to endeavour to preserve beautiful scenery and prevent the destruction of native bush.” If Eas-* ton Park is to he used as a playing area, the Society must abandon its scheme, and should most certainly object to its funds being used for, laying down and keeping in order Club playing areas. Such proposal as was suggested at a meeting recently would he preposterous. The Beautifying Society is an institution apart from sports bodies, and is only concerned in beautifying the reserves. The vexed question of playing areas must he decided by the governing authority, who will act fairly, and in the public interest. Once space is allocated for the playing of games, the various clubs can provide their own conveniences and upkeep. To crown all, the clubs on ,u restricted area of four acres, in our opinion, will not only, lead to confusion and bickering, but will assuredly kill the beautifying scheme. Why Victoria Park, one of the best sheltered reserves in the borofigh, has been tabooed as a playing area, is unexplainable. It would he as well for the Beautifying Society to give a little attention to this reserve during the coming season.