PARK TRUSTEES.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XI, Issue 3712, 16 January 1891, Page 2

PARK TRUSTEES.

The monthly meeting of the Masterton Park Trust was held in the Institute yesterday. Present:— Messrs J. Payton, <T. C. Boddington, A, R. Bunny, and F. G. Moore. Mr Payton was voted to the chair. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. A statement of receipts and expenditure was submitted by the Secretary, showing the receipts for the past year to have been £BB 16s lid, and the expenditure £B4 4s Id. The assets were stated at £291 4s, nnd the liabilities £422 ISs 2d. The Chairman stated that it was very satisfactory to learn from the balance sheet that their liability had been reduced from £4OO to £l3l. The statement as read was adopted. THE CRICKET CLUB LEASE. The Chairman, in accordance with notice given, moved that the lease of the Park Oval to the Cricket Club be cancelled, Mr Moore seconded. Mr Bunny asked if the improvements stipulated in the agreement had been effected. The Secretary stated that a balance sheet, showing the receipts and expenditure, had been submitted by the Club every year up to the present. After some discussion the motion was put and carried. THE OVAL RESERVE. The Secretary and Captain of the Red Star Football Club wrote, protesting against the granting of the Oval for lawn tennis purposes, as it would thereby be monopolised, and further applying for the use of it from December to September for the sum ofL5.

Mr Boddington asked what was the locus standi of the Red Star Football Club in dictating to the Trust to whom they should grant the Oval. The Chairman replied that as a portion ot the community they had a right to protest. It was here decided to hear a deputation from the proposed lawn tennis Club, consisting of Messrs Pownall, Dougall, Aitken, and Hathaway, Mr Pownall stated they had been deputed by a number of residents to wait upon the Trust and ask permission to construct one, two, or three lawn tennis courts on the park oval as required. Some opposition had apparently been aroused amongst the footballers, who had hitherto used the oval, but he thought there was room for both. If the Trust considered that there was not sufficisnt room, he would ask that a small portion of land outside the oval be granted for the purpose. The lawn tennis court would be a permanent thing, and would practically be for the use of the public. He would further ask for the assistance of the Trust in constructing courts, as they would be for the physical welfare of the community. The Chairman considered there would be ample room on the oval for both football and lawn tenuis purposes. Mr Pownall was also of this opinion.

The Chairman thought it would be advisablo to have the lawn tenuis courts on the oval.

In reply to the Chairman, Mr Pownall said it was intended to apply for a lease for twelve months or more, to bn terminated by six months notice.

Mr Bunny thought it was premature to consider the question of terms at present. ! Mr Powiii.ll stated that it was intended to make the lawn tennis club a comparatively open one. Mr B&ddmgton was pleased to hear of the applications made by the football and lawn tennis clubs. It was an attempt to popularise the oval. A committee of the Trust might be appointed to visit the Park with the deputation and arrange the matter of sites. Mr Bunny suggested the adjournment of the meeting and the appointing of a committee to visit the oval. The Chairman said the best time of the year for lawn tenajp wa^

rapidly passing away, and no unnecessary delay in dealing with the matter should be made.

Mr Bunny : It will be unwise to mislead the deputation by granting them courts before we know the legality of such a step.

Mr Hathaway stated that all they wanted was the same license as that held by the cricket club. The Chairman moved that the Trustees agree to let sites for tennis courts for a term of years, terminable at six months'notice, to auy duly .constituted club at £1 per court per annum, under conditions to be 'approved. I Mr Moore seconded.

The resolution was put and carried,

The Chairman futther moved that a sub-committee consisting of Messrs jßoddington, Moore and the mover foe appointed to determine sites and Report to the Trust chereon. | Mr Boddington seconded.—Carried. | Aftersome discussion, question of assisting the lawn tennis club in consructing courts was referred to the sub committee, together with the application from the Red Star Inootball Club. \The meeting then adjourned.