RECREATION GROUND.

Thames Guardian and Mining Record, Volume I, Issue 219, 21 June 1872, Page 3

RECREATION GROUND.

DEPUTATION TO THE GOLDFIELDS SECRETARY AND Mil JAMES MACK AY, JUN.

A deputation waited upon the Goldfields Secretary and Mr Jas. Mackay, jun., yesterday in reference to the proposed Thames Recreation Ground, consisting of Messrs R. Graham, Davies, Gudgeon, Scott, Dowden, Mills, Walhmtt, Lipsey, and Millett.

Mr Sheehan said lie asked those present to attend to-day to consider the question of the Recreation Ground, which had given him some trouble. There was a difficulty in securing an area of requisite size, although several had offered to supply the desideratum. Mr Spencer had offered some ground, but it was very circumscribed in extent. Mr O’Keeffe had also offered some, but it was also too small. The only available ground appeared to be the flat on the peninsula belonging to the natives, and Mr Mackay and Mr Tookey bad promised to render all the assistance they could to the Government in acquiring this land. It would not, perhaps, be desirable to push the purchase from the natives too precipitately, as it would tend to raise the price. It was a question of time, and for the exercise of some patience. Mr Davies said it would be desirable to have a piece of ground for recreation purposes at the other end of the township—Tararu—and lie had spoken on the subL'ect to Mr Graham, who was ready to part with a suitable piece of ground on the Tararu Block on very reasonable terms.

Mr Scott said he and Mr Lipsey, from the Kauaeranga Board, had visited, with members of the other Boards, several localities in the neighbourhood, and found the peninsula the best suited to the purpose. Hero there could be a cricketground, rifle range, and suitable recreation ground, and he thought it would be useless to spend money elsewhere.

Mr Litsey said it would be desirable to secure this ground as soon as possible, as private speculators were on the look-out for it, and were negotiating with the natives about it. No time, therefore, should be lost.

Mr Sheehan said lie agreed that the site was a first class one for the purpose. There was a long stretch of level ground, and some rising ground also. Mr Mackay had suggested to him tiiat a portion of the Olanui block on the other side of the creek could be secured for a domain to be laid out in ornamental grounds, and this as well as a portion of the peninsula should be secured.

Mr Mill said he did not think them was any necessity for a recreation ground at both ends of the township, which, he thought, would tend to divide the sports at any time. Mr biiEEHAE said the main owner of the peninsula block was Nikorima, a relative of Mr Tuokey, who had promised to use his interest to preve.it private speculators stepping in between the natives and the government, and Mr Tookey was known'to be a man whose word was as good as his bond.

Mr Mackay said there were six acres belonging to the Bank of Australasia, and there wer° several mixed claims in the vieinity on the flat ; but on account of the ta,»u the land to be acquired would lie bet\ve> n Shorthand and Totara. lie thought the main road should be carried out if possible in a line from Bowen-street across the Kauaeranga. The best place was the ground near the Rob Roy, by the race-course, but this would be too expensive. Mr Sheeiian said, as far as the Government was concerned, they were most anxious to acquire this land, but they had natives to deal with. If Mr Mackay could get the natives to part with this ground at a reasonable rate, the Government would find the money. He and Mr .Mackay would attend again on Monday or Tuesday next to see if anything definite could bo done in the matter. The deputation then withdrew.