PUKEKURA PARK SPORTS GROUND.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 18, 13 January 1915, Page 4

PUKEKURA PARK SPORTS GROUND.

For some considerable time )wst the poverty-stricken, unkempt aspect o{ the Sports Ground at Pukekura Park lias been matter J'or comment. The fume of the park as a Ijcautv spot has extended throughout the Dominion, and far beyond. What, then, must be the impression of visitors entering the grounds for the first time by the Martlet street gateway, and coming upon the scene of utter neglect and disorder presented by the Sports Ground? To the artistic'eye it would be much akin to the process of passing through purgatory to paradise, for once the visitor passes on to the remainder of the grounds lie may well feel that lie is obtaining a glimpse of an earthly paradise. The, contrast is so great that possibly the Sports Ground sutlers unduly by comparison. -At the same time there is not the slightest excuse for the main entrance to our beautiful grounds being in such a disgraceful condition. If the Sports Grounds Committee, who Jvc responsible for the -up- ■ keep of this portion of the park, have

no funds, or no inclination to keep it.in porpcr order, then they should hand it back to the Board, so that it may be made at least presentable, and not remain such an eyesore as it is now. Had the Sports Ground been in some out-of-the-way corner of the park, where it did not meet the eyes of visitors, it would not have mattered so much, but being at the entrance, it should be kept in exceptionally good order, whereas it is more like an untidy back yard. The scene presented at the llat on which, the disreputable shed is placed is a disgrace to all concerned. It is all very well so far as the townspeople are concerned, for they may understand that the Board is not responsible for this blot on their property, but outside visitors will naturally be without that knowledge, ans cannot he blamed for laying the discredit on the wrong shoulders. At the .meeting of the Board on Monday night it was decided to notify the Sports Grounds Committee that unless it advises the Hoard by next meeting as to what it proposes to do with regard to the outstanding rent, the Board will resume possession. The necessity lor such a resolution would seem to indicate that the committee have no funds to meet their liabilities, and the neglected state of 1 lie Sports Grounds lends force to the assumption. If, however, they are not short of money, they certainly should be made to put the Sports Ground in proper order. There should be no occasion to bring pressure to bear on the committee, in this matter, for they, .above, all people, should take, especial pride in making the ground under their control as attractive as the other poilr tions of the park. That something should he done to put an end to the present policy of masterly inactivity is imperative. and it is to be hoped that ths Board will, for their own credit, take the ncrcsary steps to beautify the entrance to the grounds entrusted to their care.