HAWERA RECREATION GROUND.

Patea Mail, Volume IV, Issue 334, 29 June 1878, Page 2

HAWERA RECREATION GROUND.

(To the Editor of the Patea Mail.) Sir, —As the winter months are passing-, but we shall still have some time before us ere the weather will permit of much outdoor amusement, I think this a favourable opportunity for urging on the improvement of the above-named ground. A project has been talked of, and to a very considerable extent approved, of a Company or Association taking the management of this ground into their own hands, of course with the approval and as we trust the hearty concurrence of the Hawera Town Board, so that it might be made, not only a place where all athletic sports could ho properly carried on, but where from the accommodation that would be provided, all, both those directly interested as partakers in the sports and those who were simply attracted as spectators, would, find their wishes gratified by being able to carry on any sport with every advantage that care and preparation could give the one, and comfortable marquees or stands would conduce to the comfort of the others.

Those favouring the Association start with the following views—To lease, at a nominal rental, from the Town Board, the quantity of laud now laid off as a cricket

ground, and if.so acquired; an engagement would be entered into to put the ground in thoroughly good order for any games that might be played on it ; to have it enclosed with a fence of sufficient height to secure its being overlooked by anyone from the outside ; to have proper pavilions.or stands erectedfor the spectators and suitable spaces allotted for refreshment and other booths that would be required on the ground during a game, i These arc the principal steps that woidd he taken to ensnVe the success of the undertaking. As far as the absolute labour is concerned and to provide for the expenditure, the Association is prepared to raise its funds in the following manner —Two hundred subscribers giving £1 each (to be collected in calls according to the amount required, but no two cal’s to be made wit.hout a certain space of time elapsing between them) will form the Association, and that number, it is believed, will be readily mademp ; and in addition to this fund, and in order to meet current expense at all meetings, a small sum will be charged every one entering tiie ground as gate money ; and this, although small will soon in the aggregate, in anything like a successful season, become a most valuable item in furthering the property of the Association. The sums taken at the gates of the Australian towns, will show the number of people that* will Hock to a Diace of amusement of this description, where those playing have every facility of shewing themselves to the best advantage, and the spectators every reasonable accommodation.

This is a brief outline of the aim of the proposed Association, and it is to be hoped that it will meet with the cordial support of all interested in healthy manly sports, whether us players or lookers-on. I believe I am correct in saying that it meets with the approval of the Board, but a technical point having arisen, it has been referred to a legal gentleman for his opinion, which has not yet arrived. I hope I have said enough to make the public anxious to come forward to support the scheme, and that I have shown the practicability of, at small expense, making and keeping a place for recreation, not only for ourselves, but for all lovers of nianh r sport at however great a distance, and induce them to visit our neighbourhood. I may also mention, to show the lively interest already taken in these matters, that a sum has been already collected for having the present cricket ground properly tm-fed and formed, so that there will be every inducement to those fond of that sport to play in the coming season, but this is only a portion of what should and will be done by the Association when it has full scope for its energies.—-I am, fee,,

C. H. 33EUESFOHD,