BASIN RESERVE

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8358, 19 February 1913, Page 2

BASIN RESERVE

PROPOSED IMPROVEMENTS. • The alterations to the Basin Reserve which have been suggested by the city engineer (Air W. H. Alorton) were discussed by the management committee of the Wellington Cricket Association last evening. ' . , The chairman (Air Martin Luckic) said the city engineer proposed to take the tramline through tho eastern portion of the reserve ana so reduce the sharp curves. This would throw the whole of the playing grounds to the westward. The present pavilion would bo demolished and new buildings erected further back. At Mr Morton’s invitation ho had looked at the plans, and ho was disposed to think the alterations would be of great advantage to cricket provided always there would be room sufficient to put lour wickets for ordinary matches on Wednesdays and Saturdays. He gathered from Mr Alorton there would be ample space. The total playing area would bo 4j acres, and the present area was really not much morn than four acres, ’iho idea was to make the playing ground an oval, which would be better for putting wickets at right angles to each other. Air Fanning: Do we want four wickets?. The chairman replied that the more wickets they got the more they wanted under the present arrangement,. These were 1 ,tho only wickets that brought them any income. The fees amounted to between £l5O and £l7o per season, and every wicket taken off reduced their income by one quarter. He thought it would be better to set up a committee to go into the matter with Air Alorton. In reply to a question the chairman said the drains would not", interfere with the playing grounds, as they would be on the edge. Mr TVillis: The new ground will get rid of tho small boy nuisance. Air Midlane: And make it a better ground. The chairman said the first thing would bo to build the new pavilion at tho back of the present one before it is pulled down. Mr Mid lane; The council will do the whole of tho work, I suppose? The chairman: Yes. They will do the whole thing. It is proposed to build the pavilion stand so that tho lowest portion will bt on a level with Sussex square west, and ten or twelve feet above tho level of the playing ground. This will allow of aressmg rooms' being put underneath. Immediately in front of the stand there will bo a pathway, the front boundary of which will be the edge of the playing ground. I would suggest - that the committee to confer with Mr Alorton bo Alossrs Wilson, Grombio, Laws, and myself. Air Fanning brought up the question of the ground being vested in trustees. Tire chairman said that legislation would be necessary to do this. He would like to see the ground vested fa trustees. In Sydney and Melbourne the cricket grounds were public reserves and the trustees had power ta close them and charge for admission on any day or any night except Good Friday. , Mr Fanning: Why not get that here? ■ The chairman: We tried for years but were unsuccessful. The only stipulation in Sydney and Aielbourne is that tfia funds should go in improvements, and they have beautiful grounds. Mr Alidlane: What are the arguments against vesting this ground in trustees? .. The chairman: That it is a public reserve for the use of the public—for the working man, for the children, and so, on. Air, Fanning: We should re-open this question and try to get Parliament to pass a Bill. The chairman said the proposed alteration to the reserve was to reduce the curves and minimise the cost in regard to tramway running. It was decided to appoint the subcommittee mentioned by the chairman to confer with the city engineer. Air Funning then moved that Messrs Wilson, Crombie, Laws, and the secretary be a subcommittee to make inquiries to see if the association could not get the lease of the new playing area. Air Wilson asked what tho association had spent in improving the Basin Reserve. ' _ /The chairman said that they had spent thousands of pounds since 1882. Air Wilson then suggested that the secretary should present a statement regarding this expenditure since 1882 at the next meeting, when Mr Fanning’s motion could do oonsiaerea. This was agreed to.