RESERVE T. CONTROVERSY.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 June 1920, Page 5

RESERVE T. CONTROVERSY.

WESTERN PARK BOARD RESIGNS. "SLIGHTED BY BOROUGH COUNCIL." As the outcome of the New Plymouth Borough Council having passed a resolution resuming control of Reserve T for the purpose of leasing it for three years to the Cricket Association, the Western Park Board has resigned. The question was fully discussed lnfit night at a meeting of the Western Park Board, attended by seventeen members. Mr. J. D. Sole, T.'ho presided, fully explained the position, pointing out that in October, 11119, a resolution was passed by the Board appointing a sub-com-mittee to confer with the Cricket Association, who had applied for permission to lay down a cricket pitch. This the Board gave authority for, but nothing was done. The next heard about the matter was a communication from the town clerk dated May 18th enclosing an application from the Cricket Association and also a report from a sub-com-mittee of the Council, proposing to prant a lease of three years, both dated May 17th. The Board, after a full discussion, resolved to ask the Borough Council to defer consideration of the matter for twelve months, for the reasons: (1) That the Board had already given a certain use of the reserve to the. Tnkapa Football Cluo; (2) that other sports bodies were entitled to some consideration; (3) that the ground was at present used by the children of the West End School for sports; and (4) that the loss of revenue would seriously hamper the Board in carrying out improvements in the Park which had been decided Upon. It was also suggested that a conference of all sports bodies should be held to discuss the matter before the Borough Council arrived at a decision. Tlio next move was that the Borough Council adopted a recommendation .of a sub-committee to grant a lease to the Cricket Association.

The Western Park Board had nothing to do with the drawing up of the lease, hut were asked to perusa it after it was prepared, and it was evident that anv comments they might make would he treated in the same way as the previous communications. It was evident the Council intended to ignore the Board over the matter, and he could take no other interpretation than that the Council had passed a vote of no confidence in the Western Parle Board, and no member with a spark of self respect could continue as a member of the Board, irrespective of the tennis of clause T) of the conditions under which they were appointed, which provided that "in the event however of the Council at any time passing a resolution resuming possession of the Park, or terminating the Committee's control thereof, the Committee shall therefore immediately j»n out of office." Mr. Sole said he did | not wish to influence any incmher, hut personally he would hand in his resignation that evening. IMr. V. Bull' and other memhers signified their intention of doing likewise Mr. Corner said that the proposal to use Reserve T for cricket was no new

thing. Before (ho war a deputation waited on the Board, and had ir. not-been for tho war, the Cricket Association would have, been in possession before the wesenf; Board came into office. It this, he considered, in the interests of the public, to have tlie verevve improved. Mr. Garcia considered there was no necessity to resign, as tho action of the Borough Council in acquiring the leserve had put them out of office, and he moved: "That the Borough Council, (mi ing resumed a portion of the Turk under the control of the Western Park Board, the committee considers that. it« control has lipen terminated under Section T) of tlie conditions of appointment, and considers itself out of office." This was seonded hy Mr. Dingle, Mr. Corney moved that the matter he deferred for a month. He did not think it was the intention of anv member of the Council to east a slight on the Fioard._ He certainly did not have any intention of being compelled to resign from a position to which he had been elected. Mr. Hill seconded the amendment, which was lost by 10 votes to two, and the resolution on being put was carried by similar voting.