EASTON PARK.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 2658, 13 November 1923, Page 3

EASTON PARK.

FURTHER DISCUSSED BY COUNCIL. . MAYOR OBJECTS TO AN AMENDMENT. last night’s. Council meeting letter "was received from the Beautifying Society:— “Re proposals of beautification at Easton Park, as contained in the Town Clerk’s letter dated October 10th, I am directed to inform you that, at a meeting of the Society the following, motion was carried without dissent : ‘That if the Foxtonßorougli Council will approve the original scheme, as laid out by Mr Black, this Society is prepared to beautify Easton Park within the provision of its rules and finance.’ ” The Mayor said that since the letter had been written a public meeting had been held, and matters in connection with Easton Park had been discussed. At that meeting the Beautifying Society had been represented by a majority, who withdrew any opposition re games being played on Easton Park, and had very wisely decided that they could not have beautifying and swimming baths together in Easton Park. Baths on Easton Park rerepresented spoil. By supporting a baths proposal, the Beautifying 'Society supported sport, not beautifying, on the Park. This showed inconsistency on behalf of that Society. €r. McMurray said that the Mayor was wrong in his statements. The Beautifying Society was agreeable to abide by Mr Black’s original scheme, games to be played at the eastern end of the Park. Cr. Walker said that from what he could see, the Society did not intend to do - anything until Mr Black’s plan was carried out. The Mayor said that there were only six or seven Councillors present, and it was foolish for them to go against the wishes of the people. He then moved the following motion, which he said embodied the wishes of the public carried at the two public meetings:—:“That the resolution passed by a meeting of citizens relative to playing areas on Easton Park be adopted, viz., That the Council allocate the centre of the Park as a playing area which my be used for cricket, ci’Oquet 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 term to be at the pleasure of the Council; that a strip of ground on the north side of the Park be fenced for the protection of trees and shrubs, and that the Beautifying Society be respectfully requested to co-operate in the earning out of these works. Also, the event of a loan proposal to establish swimming baths being carried, the baths to be constructed on a suitable site outside the playing area.” Cr. McMurray said that football was never discussed at the last public meeting. . The Mayor: This resolution is taken from the first meeting, and also the second meeting. Cr. McMurray: Why can’t you meet all parties reasonably,? Why do you indulge in all this quibbling? The Beautifying Society will never do anything to the Park while football is played in. the centre. The Mayor said that the matter of playing areas on the Park had been dragging on for months. The Council had written the Society, stating that the poliey would be dis\cussed at the present meeting. The Society favoured the irprooting of trees for baths, too, and that was their argument against footballers using the Park. They destroyed the shrubs. This was very inconsistent. Cr. Coley: This subject is getting worse than the “German piano episode.” < Here we have a reserve and don’t know what to do with it. We can’t manage itl The Mayor then x-ose to put the motion, when Cr. McMurray asked permission to move an amendment. The Mayor: I can’t take an amendment. I am moving the motion. Ci*. McMurray: But you haven’t moved it yet?. The Mayor: I am moving it now. I refuse an amendment. The motion was then put and carried. For: The Mayor and Crs. Coley, Walker, Adams, Smith, Bryaut. Against: Cr. McMurray.