MEMORIAL PARK

Wairarapa Times-Age, 11 July 1941, Page 4

MEMORIAL PARK

i t I AMENDED TRUST OFFER £lOO FOR FIVE YEARS. PROPOSAL TO VEST AREA IN BOROUGH COUNCIL, ; The decision to otter the Masterton Borough Council the sum of £lOO per annum for five years and to vest the Cameron and Soldiers' Memorial Park in the council, was reached at a meeting of the Trust Lands Trust last night. A letter was received from the Borough Council advising that a committee had been set up and asking the Trust to re-enter into negotiations towards having the Memorial Park vested in the council. ‘■lf we set up another committee we can only reach a deadlock again. The council's committee is the same as last time,” said Mr A. Owen Jones. The full facts of the position were already in the minds of the committee. The better way was for the Trust to decide its terms and submit them to the council. Trustees: “Hear hear.” "We will not. get anywhere by further negotiation and we should decide what to do now," staled Mr Jones. Mr H. P. Hugo (chairman):: "The matter has been thrashed out." Mr E. G. Eton: "We framed a resolution some time ago but had it •landed’." '‘TOO GENEROUS.” "The matter has been taken up by sports bodies and citizens, arising out of the Trust’s annual meeting, and the council has been asked to take the park over.” said Mr Hugo. “We were far too generous last time. We were very foolish to tie the Trust down for 30 years. We had no right offering £l5O a year for 30 years. It was wrong." Mr C. E. Grey: "Didn't the Trust committee go back on its word?” Mr Owen Jones explained that the Trust and council, committees had reached a deadlock. The council wanted £l5O per annum in perpetuity and the* Trust offered £l5O for 30 years, which’ the council turned down. Mr J. M. Laing: “Thank goodness it was turned down!" “The borough council now realises I its duty,” said Mr Hugo. He moved that the sum of £lOO be handed over for five years. “NOT A LIABILITY.” “The council thinks it is releasing us from a liability. It is nothing of the sort," observed Mr R. Krahagen. The park was taken over so that it could never be sold or mortgaged. Rates were the only obligation. The Trust had paid £1,500 in cash for the Park and that with the proposed £5OO, would be a handsome donation. Not a penny more should be paid out. If the grounds were not wanted they could be shut up and stock grazed on the land. “In five years lime the Park should be on its feet,” said Mr Page. Mr Krahagen referred briefly to vandalism at the park. He seconded Mr Hugo's motion. Mr Grey intimated that as a councillor he would not vote. “There is no doubt wo made a foolish offer,'' said Mr Laing. We were carried away with enthusiasm to give the town an extra playing area, at the expense of education. It was not the Trust’s duty. If necessary the gates could be shut and the park left as it was. The Trust was doing more than its share. Mr Eton, speaking in support of the motion, said he was not so liberal that night. The council would be sorry to find that it had missed the opportunity. ; Mr H. H. Daniell urged trustees to be careful. It was useless pouring money down the drain unless there was a concrete scheme. Following discussion, the motion before the meeting was carried unanimously and it was decided to advise ; the council accordingly and to intimate ; that the appointment of a committee . was not necessary.