FOOTBALL ON EASTON PARK.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 2643, 9 October 1923, Page 2

FOOTBALL ON EASTON PARK.

MAYOR’S MOTION OPPOSED AND WITHDRAWN. BEAUTIFYING SOCIETY TO BE consulted. As, Cr. Coley remarked at last night’s Council meeting, Easton rk has occupied one-third of the ( ouncil s time during the past, two yeais. Last night the time- bntieiod question of allocation of playing areas on Easton Park was again sprung ~n (lie councillors by •he Mayor. He said that some time ago ii was decided lo let this matter stand over until the end of the football season. The season ended on September 3tlth, and lienee it was time lo review the situation, lit' then moved the following motion, seconded by Cr. Bryant: ‘‘That (tie resolution passed by a meeting of citizens relative to playing areas on Easton Park he adopted, viz,, that the Council allocate the centre of Easton Park as a playing area which may he used for cricket, croquet, and children’s games in the summer months, and for football in the winter, subject to the Rugby Union agreeing to pay 15 per cent, of the gross proceeds of gate entrance money, the lerm To be at the pleasure of the Council. That a strip of ground on each side of the Park he fenced for the protection of trees and shrubs, and that the Beautifying Society he respectfully requested to co-operate in the carrying out of these works.”

Continuing, the Mayor said that lie had been criticised by the local Press in calling a public meeting to deal with the question. Cr. Coley: Packing the meeting. The Mayor: Not a bit <jf it! Cr. Coley: There’s not the least, doubt you did. The Mayor: The matter was decided by the majority at the meeting, which is a democratic procedure, and the best way to settle differences is to put them before the people concerned. Take the Fanners’ Dairy Bill —

Cr. Coley: We won’t go into that to-night. The Mayor said that on each of two occasions with large audiences, it was decided that football be played on Easton Park. Cr. Coley: Audiences? A packed meeting. On the last occasion there wore 23 footballers against 17 ratepayers. The Mayor: The opportunity was llru'e for all to attend. Tf people didn’t bother to turn up theycould not have been interested. Any Councillor who goes against tlie resolution of lln' people ignores the principles of election. Cr. Colev: Well, Pin going to tonight, if it’> ignoring tie resolution i-f the p.c-ple bv voting against your motion. The Mayor then outlined his scheme to have croquet, tennis, football and erieket played on the park in season and to erect swings, seesaws, and a toboggan for the children. Tf they had the co-operation of the Beautifying Society they could fix up one corner for children’s games. The Council could also suggest raising the percentage of gates for football matches from lfi to 15 per cent. • Cr. McMurray: Question. The Mayor: Football is the National game and we should support it. i Cr, McMurray: One of them. Only the National winter game. The Mayor said that a piece of the park could he fenced for bean- I tifying purposes, | The Mayor: We will ask the Beautifying Society to do it, Cr. Walker: It doesn’t appear that they will do it then. The Mayor: Well, we will fence when we get. the money, Cr. Me Murray said be'was opposed to the motion. It was hot right to let the footballers have all the .-ay as regards Easton Park. Thai ground was not nearly MTe ground the racecourse was as a football field. He considered that l lie footballers were very selfish, They lmd had Easton Park for four months, ft, was hardly fair to the ladies of the town to play football alone on Easton Park. Besides this it was against the donor’s wishes that football be played there. Such a fuss as this was likely to discourage any future douors, Cr, Coley said that he would support a motion for football alone to lie played on the park, or a motion to the contrary. He wasn’t going to support half-pie measures. The park was at present a grazing ground and he spent most of his time impounding cattle oil it. He noticed that one of the football delegates at a recent meeting had said that there was no other ground in Coxtou. At a little cost one of the best grounds in the Dominion could be fixed up at the racecourse. Cr. Bryant said that the footballers knew all the faults of Easton Park and yet considered it the best ground. The ladies were quite satisfied to go there to see football piayed. Cr Smith then asked the Mayor why uo notification of a discussion of this matter had been sent to the Beautifying Society? The Mayor: We said we would consider the matter at the end of the season.

Cr. Smith: Yes and the Beautifying Society should have been notified. You are reviewing the matter in favour of the footballers now without hearing the other side, He suggested holding the matter oyer until next meeting and to notify the Beautifying Society of the fact. The Mayor: We have the citizens behind us'. Cr. Ross said he endorsed Cr. Smith’s remarks, fie asked how

the money was to be raised if the Beautifying Society did not come forward and help. In any ease, quite a number of the footballers were dissatisfied with the matter as it stood at present. Cr. McMurray: The heads of the footballers voted against Easton Park at a meeting. The Mayor said he was satisfied it was absolutely' useless to refer the matter to the Society. Cr. Smith: Well put your motion then. The Mayor then read the. resolu- , tion carried by the Council previously’ about reviewing, the matter at the close of the football season. Cr. Walker considered it wise to act on Cr. Smith’s suggestion. Crs. Smith and Ross then moved an amediiment “that a letter be written to the Beautifying Society stating that the matter of playing areas and beautifying of Easton Park will be considered at the next ordinary meeting of the Council, and asking them if they have any proposals to put forward.” After further discussion the-May-or agreed to withdraw hi.s motion and Cr. Smith’s motion was carried.