MASTERTON SOLDIERS' MEMORIAL

Wairarapa Age, 22 March 1920, Page 3

MASTERTON SOLDIERS ' MEMORIAL

AND CAMERON PARK.

Following is the report to be submitted at a public meeting to be hold in Masterton on Wednosday, March 24:

HISTORY OP THE MOVEMENT,

At the monthly meeting of the Calodonian Society, held on October 8, 1918, representatives of the various sports bodies in Masterton were invited to attend, with a view to discussing the unfortunate position which had arisen owing to the Borough Council having removed the fence from tho p.irk oval, i.e., the playing area. At that meeting it was suggested to the Caledonian Society that tho sports bodies* should combine to secure a rround that might be controlled by themselves and free from restrictions resulting from municipal control. It was thereupon decided to call a special meeting for October 25 of interested sports bodies, and to invite mombers of tho Old Show Grounds, Ltd., to attend, the object of the meeting being to discuss the project of acquiring the Old Show Ground as a memorial park to fallen soldiers. Tho mooting was duly held, and was attended by representatives of the Rugby Union, Cricket Association, Wairarapa Amateur Athletic Association, and tho Caledonian Society. At that meeting a sub-committee was set up, comprising representatives of all the sports bodies mentioned, with' power to act in the matter of acquiring the Old" Show Grounds as a memorial sports grOund. The sub-committee met on tho ground, and subsequently at a meeting called to receive tho report of the sub-committee, held on November 9, 191S, it was decided to offer £2500 for the northern portion—approximately 12-J acres—of the Old Show Grounds. When this offer was accepted, Messrs D. r J. and Robert Cameron generously came forward and subscribed the whole of tho purchase money unconditionally. This point was reached prior to the Christmas, 1918, holiday, and a strong committee was* set up to further the matter and raise subscriptions.,,, The committee was subsequently added to, and has carried on to the date of tho public meeting hold on March 1, 1920, when it consisted of tho following names;— Messrs D. McLachlan, D. K. Logan, J. B. McKenzie, G. W. Scllar, E, T. Costello, W. H. Jackson, W. J. Tennent, A. J. Giddings, D. J. Cameron, Robert Cameron, Albert McDonald, Ernest Bell, A. Pauling, R. •J. Southgatc, J. E. Cabvell, W. E. Chamberlain, B. R. Rayner, W. G. Lamb, hon. treasurer, W. Gillespie, hpn. secretary.

A strong canvassing committco was set up, and, with a view to their canvass in January, an expensivo advertisement was inserted in the local papers, calling attention to the project. Unfortunately, owing ,to the relaxation 1 bf patriotic effort due to the signing of the armistice, and the, disorganisation ■ consequent on tho epidemic, the canvassing committee did not com m-enco their labours, and the public did not respond" to the advertised'appeal. However, the committee continued its efforts, and in March, 1919, according to contract, the title of the kcres was duly conveyed on terms that the selling syndicate was bound to reserve the chain on the south side of the area required for road purposes, and could not dispose of that reserve for any other purpose. At the outset subscriptions were freely promised by persons closely interested in tho movement., and the committee proceeded to go into the question of preparing the ground as a sports ground and the erection of a suitable, grandstand. Mr. Buxton was employed to prepare plans and specifications, which were duly considered by tho committee;" but the scheme was considered far too elaborate to suit the necessities of the case. Mr. Buxton was asked to tender for that portion of his proposed scherde which included only the formation and compaction of the entrance drive, round the oval,;tho oval itself, the plantation of the entrance drive, and the lawn in front of the proposed site of the grandstand. This included also the preparation of three complete match cricket .wickets, and over 100 yards of net practice wickets, levelled and finished with a depth of soil not loss than 18 inches. For this part of the work Mr. Buxton's tender was £9OB. This tender was acepted on the condition that the work should be completed 'to the Satisfaction of the committee's nominees:—Messrs J, B. McKenzie and D. K. Logan. At the same time, the two local firms of architects had kindly considered to submit, free of cost, competitive designs and specifications of the grandstand, after having conferred with the representatives of tho committee, who determined the accommodation required, both lor seating and necessary anterooms, including office, dressing rooms, dining rooms, bathrooms, and conveniences. These plans were duly supplied on the basis that the cost of the building was to be £SOOO. The plans have not yet been judged, or further dealt with; but, allowing for the rapid increase in the cost of material, it is estimated that & suitable grandstand in concrete will cost no less than £7OOO to £BOOO. The committee have, kept in view tho absoluto necessity of sooner or later acquiring the balance of the Old Show Grounds, comprising some 71 acres. It is estimated that the outsido cost of this area will be £ISOO, but the committee anticipate the most generous treatment in this matter from tho Old Show Grounds Company. GENERAL INFORMATION.

The committee 1 , as above constituted, is not any part, or representative of the Caledonian Society, although the thanks of the community arc due to this body for its energetic work in connection with the movement. The secretary has given his services free throughout the whole of the arduous work it has necessitated. The committee is, and is intended to bo, representative of all classes of tho community, and was unanimous in its views that no nioro iitting monument could' bo erected to the' memory of our fallen soldiers than a public park and sports ground available for the use of the bono and sinew of tho nation. The committee has sufficient funds in hand, or promised, to complete the .contract

let; but has been, rightly o? wrongly, marking time in order to take the public into its 'confidence and to proceed on lines that Bhall be backed up by united Masterton. The following facta are supplied for the information of the public:— Tho gift of land comprises the northern portion of the Old Show Grounds—l2J acres; price £2500. Tho gift was made absolutely unconditionally. The balance of the Old Show Grounds can be acquired for no more than £ISOO. The following work*has already been completed:—(a) All fences repaired, (b) The whole area given has been ploughed, disced, and harrowed and that portion riot comprised in the oval has been sown in grass, which has taken on. (c) The contract undertaken by Buxton has been faithfully carried out to date, and will be completed in about 14 days; with the exception of the sowing of the grass on the oval, which may or may not be completed, according to tho weather, (d) Tho liabilities incurred are: The contract above mentioned, which has been partly paid; and advertising and potty expenses, (e) Most sports grounds in New Zealand have suffered grave disabilities owing to municipal or private control. The committee conceived the idea of having this ground controlled by representa* tives of all recognised sports bodies in the district, steadied by a few permanent managers representing various sections of tho public. It is suggested that the ground bo under control of a management committee of twelve members, elected annually by a meeting of delegates representing the various sports bodies of the district. Each sports body will send one or two delegates to tho annual meeting, according to tho size of its membership (say, less than 20 ono delegate, over 20 two delegates). The meeting of delegates would discuss matters of genoral interest connected,with the ground and its management, and will have, power to recommend but not to direct the committee of management. The "permanent members of the management committee shall be: Tho Mayor?-of Masterton, the chairman of the, Masterton County Council, chairman of the Masterton' Trust Lands Trust, a representative of the secondary schools of the district,' a representative of the primary schools of the district, chairman of the A. and P. Association, and a representative of the Technical School. The ground and the associated bodies governing it shall be registered as in incorporated society, having the' usual restrictions attached to ? such societies,, viz., that no member shall make any profit out of the operations of the society. It is Suggested, also, that there shall bo no power to sell or dispose of tho land otherwise than by dedication to the public or to trustees of the public. In the meantime, being an incorporated society, trustees are unnecessary, (f) The rules and constitution of the society have not yet been framed, for the reason that the committee desired to lOavo these as open as possible, in order to adopt all possible practical suggestions that may be made by interested and intelligent critics. Tho main idea, ftowever, is to have a sports ground governed by representatives of sports full power to make a,reasonable : c]barge on all proper occasions for producing purposes; while '■;&%■• all other times the ground shall be op en for the free use of the public, especi, ally for the free use of school children as a breathing space and as a place to conduct their organised games under proper supervision. (

FINANCIAL STATEMENT TO tfATE. i

Assets: Bank balance £398 15s lid, bonds £37, outstanding subscriptions £839 ssf> total £1275 0s lid. Liabilities (outstanding): Daily Times £BO, Ago £BO, Mr. Buxton's balance £658, printing'sundries#£lo; total £B2B. • i '.;.■'-.

Tho position up to date, then, is that our assets exceed our liabilities by £447 0s lid, '. * Estimates of requirements (additional): A suitable memorial; £3,000, balance of land (7£ acres) £lsoo, grandstand (estimate) £BOOO, development of whole area £IOOO, endowment for upkeep £10,000; total £23^500.

HOW THE FUNDS .WILL BE RAISED. By direct and systematic canvassing. 1 The object to-be aimed at should include, riot only the amount nexjessary. to provide the monumont, additional' ground, grandstand, and development work, but also an ample endowment for future upkeep. ' MASTERTON'S MEMORIAL.,*

At a'.public meeting duly convened by the Mayor for the purpose it was decided that this ground be the site of the. Masterton memorial to its fallen soldiers. At this meeting a committee was appointed ft\>m the ; meeting to confer w # ith the aforementioned committee, and to report fully at a.subsequent public meeting. This conference took place on March 10, passed resolutions, and formed a , sub-committee consisting of /Messrs' Jackson, Logan, Perry, J. McKenzie, Kemp, and South- , gate, with Mr. Millor as report secre- ! tary, to report on the lines of these resolutions, and to embody the in* formation set out .abovo. This docu- i mont, together with the recommendar tions following, comprise!) this report. RECOMMENDATIONS. ■ 1. That tho name of the ground heretofore known as the Old Show Grounds shall be '' The Mastorton Soldiers' Memorial and Cameron Park." 2. That a suitable monument be erected on the ground outside tho main entrance in Dixon Street, on a. portion of the ground amply sufficient to carry the monument and its foundations, together with appropriate approaches thereto, and that this aroa shall be dedicated to the Corporation of the Borough of Masterton. This recommendation yas carried by a majority of six, the minority being of the •opinion that the site of the memorial should be tho park. 3. That tho society's first duty shall be the providing of such site and monument, and thereafter the care and upkeep thereof. 4. The amount to bo expended on I the monument shall be £3OOO. 5. That the acquiring of the additional 71 acres of land is recommended as essential.

6. That in, developing the ground tho society confines itself to the provision for field sports and necessary shelter trees. 7. That a permanent secretary bo appointed immediately, and that a strong committee be appointed by tho public meeting to hold office until the incorporation of tho society.