MASTERTON PARK TRUST.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XVI, Issue 4994, 5 April 1895, Page 2

MASTERTON PARK TRUST.

QUARTERLY MEETING. The regular quarterly meeting.of the Masterton Park Trustees held yesterday afternoon, Fresbjv Messrs J. Payton(chairman), jlc. Boddington, A. W. Renal], and R, Hare. MHTOThS. The minutes of the last quarterly • meeting and special meetings were read and confirmed, DEPUTATION. The Chairman said letters had been received from the Red Star and Masterton Football Clubs, with reference to the use o£ the Park Oval. It would be well to receive the deputation before doaling with other business. Mr Boddington pointed out that the arrangement made at the beginning of the cricket season had not turned out at all well. The Chairman said the Trustees had been a little too hasty in dealing with the question. Mr A, K D'Arcy said that W*to( Cargill and Jeffries had *Mi appointed with himself to wait the Trust and confer with reference to the new regulations. He wished on behalf of the deputation to offer a iew suggestions. In one of tho regulations the Trust provided that they might cancel the Football Club's right on any day, although thoClubswould practically be lessees of the Oval for the football season, if it resulted as suggested. It wits, therefore, suggested that the rent paid by the Star aud Masterton Clubs be £lO per annum each, instead of £5 as proposed by the Trustees, and tho Clubs to have the right to take 50 per cent of the total receipts from the grandstand at all Club or Rugby Union matches. This arrangement would, he thought, increase the Trust's revenue and be ( a satisfactory arrangement all rjAul, , It was asked that the Trust cm™ e ! to meet the athletes in the generous j manner they had in the past and enable them to obtain the Oval at a reasonable rental. It was also thought the regulation making the Football Clubs responsible for any damage to fences, etc., would not bo fair to them. In conclusion, Mr i D'Arcy pointed out the advisability • of having the grandstand finished j by 24th May.

Mr Cai'gill said he might point out that the Clubs had thought it better to arrange for both the grandstand and the ground, as, if an amicable arrangement were not arrived at, and the footballers were compelled to get another gouud, there would bo very little revenue from the grandstand. The lowest calculation showed that the revenue from the grandstand would probably be about £3O, and if tho Trust obtained half, with £2O as rental, it would, the Clubs thought, be a fair thing. It was impossible to say exactly what the return would bo, however. *A£ Mr D'Arcy explained that it waa proposed to make the gate free at all Club matches, and to charge at the grandstand. The Chairman pointed out, that under another rule, the right of taking 75 per cent, of the grandstand receipts could be obtained by contributing £lO to the cost of erection. It was unlikely that tho Trust would wish to over-ride any arrangement the Club might make re matches.

Mr D'Arcy explaiucd hi reply to Mr Boddington, that they could not ahvayß be certain that matches would ho played on certain days, and it was on this account that it was thought desirable to obtain control of the Oval, to prevent any accidental clashing with other bodies, They could not anticipato the coming season's arrangements in anyway. The deputation then thankqjpto Trustees, and withdrew.

The Chairman said they had drawn up their ruleß with considerable care, and, he thought they should have a fair trial of at least a year. He would thorcforo move that the Football Clubs be informed that tho Trustees cannot see tbeiv way clear to alter the rules, until they have been given a fair trial. Messrs Boddiugton and Renall expressed the opinion that tho meeting being a small one, it wotild ba well to adjourn for furtherconsideration.

Tho Chairman said the football season was just commencing, and it would be, he thought, inadvisable to hang the matter up any longer. Mr Eenallsaidif it was a case of giving up tho gate charge and tnsting to the grand stand, he thought the Trustees would lose by the arrangement, f^~ Mr Boddingtou said there jjttl be a definite loss and an indefinite gain by the proposal. _ The Chairman said the broad question was were their rules to have a, fail'trial before being altered P Mrßoddington thought tuismatter required consideration. He should prefer time to think it over.

The Chairman thought that without altering their rules they could do all the Clubs wisbod. However, if tho meeting wished for an adjournment it would be as well for some member, to move.in that direction. I Thq grandstand did not come undsr.' the rules it .was suggested to alter. On the motion of Mr Boddington jit was decided that a special meeting [beheld on Wodnosday neit at I p.m., to deal with this matter.

num. ..'The. Treasurer-reported a,cradjfc balance of.iSO lis Mat date. ■ AraoiEßi'. The Municipal Tiro Brigade wrote stating that the Brigade protejgH agaiuefc the now regulations, |p claimed the right-" collectively and otherwise "-to use the Park, for healthy recreation, On the motion of the Chairman, it was resolved that the Brigade be informed they are quite at liberty to use tho Park for "healthy recreation"—subject to tho regulations of the Park Trustees, THE RANGER, The Hanger reported that the seats required tarring, and other matters attending to. The recommendations were ordered to be carried out.

THE GRANDSTAND. The Chairman said there xm a request that the grandstand be finished by May 24th. It would be well-to instruct the Engineer,' It was also decided that the Town Lands Trustees be asked.tg pay* th« ; first instalment of their • grant at once, and tho second instalment in May.

The meeting then adjourned,