THE EASTON PARK CONTROVERSY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume LI, Issue 4503, 11 September 1930, Page 3

THE EASTON PARK CONTROVERSY.

PERMIS SION TO ICON STR UC T CYCLING TRACK REVOKED.

POSSIBLE ACQUISITION OF FURTHER TWO ACRES.

A good deal of discussion ai’ose over Cr. Robinson’s notice of intention to rescind the motion placed on the Council's hooks in 1927 granting permission to the Foxton Amateur Athletic and .Cycling Club to. construct a cycle track on Easton Park when the matter came up at Monday night’s Borough Council meeting. Cr. Robinson said his action was in the interests of all athletic bodies and be bad no desire to place a stumbling block in the way of the Cycling Club. He reiterated previous remarks with regard to spoil - ing of the park by the construction of a cycle track. With a view to assisting the Cycling Club, however, lie had interviewed the Native owners of two. acres of land adjoining on the north side and was confident that this area would be added to the park at an early date and then a cycle track would be possible without spoiling the area for football.

The Mayor said that when the Cycling .Club had been granted permission in 1927 to construct the track it had been a live body and no .football was being played on the area. If, however, there was a possibility of two acres being added to the reserve it would be a wise move to hold up the construction of the traick.

■Cr. Cowley asked what'rates the Council would lose it’ it took over the extra land. The Clerk said that the current rates on the property were £9 11/8 iper annum.

Cr. Barron said the track would have to be made a third of a mile round to accommodate football, necessitating a re-survey and if the Club was to be called on for. another survey that would mean Hie end of it.

(Or. Ross seconded the motion and said football was of more benefit to the town than cycling. There were only about twelve cycling enthusiasts in Foxton and not more than.one or two races held a year. Cr. Cowley considered a hold up at this stage would kill the Club, as' it was only by means of the Government subsidy for unemployment relief work I hat the track could be laid down. The Mayor said that the acquisition of the land could be expedited. The transfer was already prepared as he had taken the matter up personally some time ago. iCr. Thompson said that if the 'extra, land could not be acquired the Club should be allowed to proceed with the track. , The Mayor said the Club would not oppose the passing of the motion. They were preoared to wait if there was a chance of acquiring the extra land. The ICilerk asked if the Football Club would pay the cost of the extra survey, but 'Cr. Robinson declined to commit 'the Club to that expenditure. Cr. Barron said if the motion was carried "the Council would lose £9O worth of improvements to the park and if 'the extra land was ac- • quired they would lose rates too. The Club was an athletic body as well as ■cycling and he questioned Cr.. Ross’s' statement that only a dozen boys were concerned. I Or. Ross said that the revenue 1 hat'would be brought in from the Club’s activities on the park would he far less than that now' obtained for football. , If the track •was put down the area would be ruined and football would go to’ the racecourse end the Council would lose a considerable amount of revenue. The Mayor said they would have also to consider the public on the mailer. The park should be so arranged as to provide enjoyment to the greatest number. ■Cr. Roore instanced the ruining of an athletic park in Napier by 'the construction of a cybling track which, he said was highly dangerous to footballers. 1 Cr. Robinson said that no Cycling Association in New Zealand would allow riders 'to race on a track that was only banked two feet high in the vicinity of the swimming baths concrete wall.- It was very dangerous and the bank at that point should be at least live feet high. There were only about 20 cyclists as against 130 footballers in Foxton. The footballers would gladly go to Victoria Park if it was big enough for football, lie considered 'the clay track there worth between £SO and £6O to the Cycling Cluib, and he said there were no trees at Victoria Park when successful sports were held there years ago. The motion was put after further 'discussion and carried, t’Ci-s. Barron and Cowley voting against. A QUESTION OF DEDICATION. iCr. Cowley asked if the Council would accept dedication of the extra two acres of land under offer.

Tlhe LMavor said he thought the Counoil should take the land over if it. had a chance. It need not' he put in use immediately and the lessee could still use it and pay the rent for it. Cr. Cowley said it was not right to talkie the area over if the Council was going, to lose the rates on it. Cr. Crowe'We will get more out of it as a reserve.

A motion was then moved that the Council accept dedication if offered. This was carried hut Crs. Cowley and Barron voted against the proposal