THE SOLWAY PARK.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10180, 4 March 1911, Page 5

THE SOLWAY PARK.

PROPOSED RECOGNITION BY TOWNSPEOPLE.

A public meeting, convened by, His Worship the Mayor (Mr J. M. Co; adine) at the request of a number of leading citizens, was held in the Masterton Borough Council Chambers last evening, to consider proposals to recognise in some tangible form -the public- spirit and generosity of the Committee . of" the Masterton Agricultural and Pastoral Society in providing Masterton with, such splendid showgrounds and Park. The Mayor explained the object of the meeting, stating that ho considered the Committee's action , was undoubtedly worthy of recognition by the people of Masterton. The showground was really another public park. Mr O. Pragnell was the promoter of the movement, and the speaker himself had decided to assist in the object to the best of his ability, Mr Pragnell apologised for the absence 'of Messrs J. Caselberg, Hugh Williams, and J. L. Murray, all of whom had promised to lend their help. Continuing, Mr Pragnell said he thought there could be no' two opinions, in connection with the matter of recognising the public spirit displayed by the Solway Syndicate and. the A. and P. Association's Committee. Recognition of men's good work was generally made after their death, but that was not the right way. A sugges-' tion had been made that steps be taken to raise funds sufficient for the .formation . of an artificial lake on the showgrounds as a memorial . to. these gentlemen. . There was also. a. suggestion', that .a tea kiosk be erected. Mr Hugh Williams had signified his intention of donating £2O if the, lake project wa,s gone on with. That same gentleman had" Kvot i another promise of £5 and a j probable promise of £SO for the same .object. Mr Pragnell suggested that a list should" be started, and it might be advisable to hold a picnic in the,, -Solway grounds. Other functions might also be organised. Several others present' also eulogised the : -services rendered- to the town hy the gentlemen:, in question, and it was eventually resolved to form /a committee consisting of all present for the purpose of furthering the proposals to recognise the public spirited action of the A. and P. Association's Committee and the Solway Syndicate. -' i A lengthy: discussion, took place ! concerning the most advisable .steps | t(y take. The lake project received | a considerable amount of' support, '•' and.; a suggestion- was made that a I sports 'meeting should he held to help raise funds. It was announced that a number of the leading members of the A. and. P. Association had expressed themselves as very I well satisfied with the lake project, i because it was their aim to make the property as much like a public park as possible. , His Worship the Mayor was, unanimously appointed chairman of the general- committee, Mr Pragnell deputy chairman, and Mr H. M. Boddington secretary. A sub-committee consisting of Messrs Pragnell, Henderson, Pauling, BJackman, Elliott, and Ewington, with power to add, was appointed'to draw up a report embodying suggestions as to the most practical steps to be taken. The chairman stated'- that the ; people were not over-burdened with entertainment so that if a good, attractive programme was provided a large audience was practically assured. ■-.■■■ At a meeting of the sub-com-mittee hsld subsequently, it was decided to add the names of Messrs J. Pryor, J. Georgeson, C. F. Crosbie, .f. E. McEwen, A. D. Gillies, F. Hunji, S. A. Noble-Camp-bell, J. Bradbury, W. H. Jacksor' A. McLebd, and W. Gillesp-e to their number. The sub-coTimittee will meet on Monday evening r^xt.