FOOTBALL ON EASTON PARK.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 2592, 12 June 1923, Page 3

FOOTBALL ON EASTON PARK.

DEPUTATION WAITS ON COUNCIL.

At last night’s Borough Council meeting a deputation from the Foxton Rugby Club, consisting of Messrs E. Bryant and J. Desmond waited on the Council to once again revive the much-discussed question of football v. beautifying on Easton Park.

The deputation was introduced bv Cr. Colev.

Mr E. Bryant said they were present to enter a protest against a movement afoot to put the Rugbvitcs off Easton Park. The Beautifying Society is trying “to do us for the ground.” t The Mayor: That’s correct.

Mr Bryant said that a recent letter to the paper said that their president (Mr F. Robinson) was agreeable to the Beautifying Society having Easton Robinson was not at the Beautifying Society’s meeting and so could not have voiced his opinion or voted in that direction. They wished to retain Fusion Park as a playing area:

Cr. Coley said that he bad bad a good look thi’ougli the park recently and as far as lie could see the Beautifying Society might, as well retire. A great deal of damage has been done lately to the shrubs in Easton Park. ITc was not against the footballers but the two could mot occupy Easton Park together. Cr. Ross moved, seconded by Cr. Smith that the Town Clerk be instructed to forward the following letter to the Beautifying Society:—

“We recognise that, it is difficult to protect properly the work of beautifying and carrying out an ornamental scheme of laying**out this Park under present conditions and with the object of .going in for an extensive scheme of making the park a credit to the town and to honour the generous donor we are prepared on the following lines to assist to carry out your wishes: — (1) Your society allots £SO for preparing another ground for the purpose of football and co-operate with them to assist in raising further funds if necessary for this purpose; (2) Your society agrees to concentrate your efforts for the nex( three years on the beautifying of Easton Park and the up-keep of the present work done in the old cemetery and undertake no other now., works for this period unless your funds are considerably nugumented: (3) Your work in Easton Park in be done with a view of beautifying the Park and keeping the Park in order and that plans be submitted allotting portions of ground to other sports except football and until used for this purpose that portion of ground to be kept in order. In conclusion the Council recognises the good work your some! v lias done in the old cemetery and are quite eon tent to leave the scheme of beautifying of Easton Park to you and shall subsidise this work to the extent of 5/- m every 20/- spent.” Cr. Ross said that with a view to getting some finality on this continual bickering going on over EasHon Park, he had drawn up the above. Personally he was a footballer but he did not think that Easton Park should be a permanent football ground. Footballers would be well advised to get a ground that they could call their own as Easton Park, at no distant date, may probably be taken away from them. At present they could probably obtain the aid of the Beautifying Society to get other grounds. The Beautifying Society’s funds had been subscribed for tli« purpose of beautifying Easton Park. This could not be done while football was being played on the ground. Cr Smith said that until the Beautifying Society submit to the proposal or bring down plans they should allow the rugbyites to ptejc on Easton Park. He considered/ however, that the ground hud been given as a pleasure ground for all. Cr. Bi’yant said that when the ground was donated nothing definite was arranged. The Beautifying Society did nothing until the Rugby Union came along and asked for permission to piay. If the ground is going to be utilised by the Beautifying Society then rugby could not be played there. He suggested leaving’ the situation as it was until the end of the current season.

The Mayor and Cr. Bryant moved ihat the Rugby football club be allowed to use Easton Dark until the end of the present season when the mutter will he reviewed by the Council.

The Mayor in moving the motion, said that at the last meeting of the Beautifying Society a motion was put through to put the footballers oft Easton Bark. This, he considered was a very drastic action to take. While in sympathy with the society over the damage done to shrubs in Easton Park, they had no proof that the damage was done by the footballers. There had been a certain amount of laxity as regards Easton Park, but this should be borne by both parties. Wandering stock had been responsible for the damage in many cases. He considered the action of the Beautifying Society was very unsportsmanlike. He did not see how the Beautifying Society was going to keep up live to six acres of ground as a flower garden. He considered the footballers should appoint a custodian to look after the ground. The ground should be a recreation ground. Mr Bryant said that they kept the ground in order. Cr. Smith: Are you prepared to look after the ground after the season is over. You just walk out then aud let the ground go.

Mr Bryant: We can’t-commit the club on that question.

Cr. McMurray said that he did not consider the Mayor was very fair in his remarks. The ground Should be used as a playing ground for all. He was of opinion that football could be played at one end of the park. The footballers, if they could not play there, should go (o Victoria Park where there were two excellent grounds. Mr Bryant said that there was not room in Easton Park at one end for football and said that Victoria Park was no good.

Cr. Coley: Wouldn’t there he enough room if the drain was filled in at Easton Park? Mr Bryant: No.

Cr. Bryant said that the society had obtained a plan from Mr Black and bad not stuck to it. The footballers bad cleaned the ground of lupins, etc.

The motion that the footballers have the use of the park until the end of the season was carried unanimously.

Cr. Ross’ motion was then put and also carried unanimouslv.