HUTT PARK COMMITTEE

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8342, 31 January 1913, Page 5

HUTT PARK COMMITTEE

A special meeting of the Hutt Park Committee was held at Petone last night, for the purpose of discussing a letter from the Wellington Hockey Association in regard to tuo state of the playing area of the Park, now in course of preparation. There were present: Messrs H, Baldwin (chairman), J. McEwan. J. Barton, A. Macaskill, E. P. Brocklehurst, S. Burridge, and O. Organ. The purport of the letter received from the Hockey Association was that the ground committee of the association aul not consider the surface at all satis, factory, and if the park committee desired the association to take over th». grounds much would have to be don© by April. The committee had promised the association grounds with a surface equal to a bowling green.. Mr McEwan reported that at his instigation Mr A. Cowic, borough engineer at Petone, had visited thfe park antf said that the grounds required top-dress-ing with soil, ami not sand, as used at pi'esent. If this was done, and the ground well rolled, a ground would be obtained quite suitable for hockey or similar games. Mr Macaskill said lie did not remember a promise being given that the ground would be equal to a bowling green, because if such a promise had been made it was impossible of being carried out.

Mr McEwan suggested that instead of trying to get all the grounds ready all energy be concentrated on four or five grounds to begin with. Mr Organ agreed with Mr McEwan, and thought the president of the Hockey Association could see his committee and ascertain the least number of grounds the association could do with for a start.

Mr Organ remarked that he was afraid a surface suitable for hockey could not be obtained in two mouths. Mr Cathie, chairman of the Hockey Association, who was in attendance, saitl his committee was very disappointed to find that practically no progress had been made with the grounds in the direction necessary. The caretaker, when approached, said that the nature of the soil was such that when rolled a very different complexion would be put on fue surface. At present it was impossible to play hockey on the grounds, in fact it would be dangerous. The outcome of playing on tho park in its present condition would bo that a large . number of the junior players would re- . linquish the game. Tho Hockey Association had not renewed its pnesent Teases, and was depending on the park. After some discussion Mr Baldwin moved that tenders be called for the supply of 300 loads of soil t for top-dressing. This was carried.