OPENING OF THE PARK.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume III, Issue 374, 7 November 1889, Page 3

OPENING OF THE PARK.

Ox Tuesday sfiarnoon about sixty gentlemen assembled at the Poverty Bay Park Company’s grounds upon the occasion of the formal opening of the Park. Among those present were—The Mayor (Captain Tucker), Dr Innes, Messrs James Booth (8.M.), J. W. Matthews (Bank of New Zealand), F. Parker (Bank of New South Wales, J. W. Bright (Loan and Mercantile Agency Co.), W. L. Bees and F. W. Skeet (solicitors), M. J. Gannon (Licensed Interpreter), W. Maude (President Gisborne Baoing Club), J. Carroll M. (Vice President G.R C.), J. Thomson, J. A. Harding, M. Hogan, and W. O. Hkeet (stewards G.8.C.) M. G. Nasmith (secretary G.8.C.). Stevenson, Hepburn, McPhail, Whitby, Bousfield, Dickson, Maynard, Harris, McKenzie, Matthewson. Tuohy, Page, Score, F. Hall and Cannon (Directors Poverty Bay Park Company), F. J. P.esse (Secretary do.), Taylor, Kirkpatrick, Quigley (architect), A. N. Williams, W. Cooper, and W. F. Crawford. Upon their arrival at the ground the guests were invited to inspect the progress that had been made by the company in improving their property. To those who remembered the wild state in which the property was but a short time back, the result was astonishing. The whole of the titree scrub that cnee covered the ground has been altogether removed, and the land laid down in grass, while it has been planted throughout with shelter and ornamental trees, forming a pleasing contrast to rhe state of the properties on either side, and immediately facing it. The improvements that most attracted the after tion of the visitors were those which are to I utilised for racing purposes, and which wil under the auspices of the Gisborne Racit Club, be fully tested on Monday next. A splendid race course has been laid out, every bit of it as fiat as a pancake, while all conveniences tor the general public and others attending race meetings, have been remembered and carefully provided for. The grand stand which will be completed by Saturdt evening, contains sitting accommodation ft TOO people. It commands an uninterruptei view of the whole course, and besides this gives a splendid opportunity for viewing the surrounding district. On the left hand (or Eastern) side it overlooks the harbor, with a glimpse of Gisborne itself nestling among thick foliage. Immediately in front are the fern and bush covered Whetaupoko hills, with the various sheep stations and dwelling houses at the foot, and the newly erected freezing works in the foreground. While towards the right, as far as the eye can reach, stretches the Poverty Bay plains, with the white tops of the settlers' houses and farm buildings peeping through tha dusters of trees which are everywhere to bo scan The grandstand building itself is a substantial structure, and gives one a very good idea of how comfort can be combined with economy of space. Io this building there is not a single foot wasted, and every conceivable want seems to have been anticipated. Beneath the gallery are to be found Grandstand and public booth, Grandstand and public luncheon rooms, ladies' lavatory and annexes with patent appliances, ladies’ and gentlemen's cloak rooms, and Steward's room, nor have the Press representatives been overlooked. The floors of these rooms have all been laid down in concrete. Three wide flights of steps lead to the gallery, the roof of which is in the shape of a canopy and has been ceiled at great expense so as to altogether do away with any risk from the strongest breeze, An artificial terrace, sloping gradually towards tha course, has been formed in front of the grandstand, and the lawn is in splendid condition, A compact little judge's box and a totalisator office fitted with every convenience to prevent crashing, ate placed in front of the grandstand, while at the lawn gate stands a handy little ticket box which ought to be appreciated by the ticket taker. To the west of the stand is the saddling and

weighing-in paddocks. Here is citrated the weighing.room, the Secretary's office and the jockey's room. These are each fitted op with conveniences which experience has shown to l be necessary. Raised above the rooms of the •Secretary and jockeys there is a platform stairs, for the nee of jockeys, who are to this miniature grandstand nil to themTeives. In one oomer of the saddling paddock foot loose boxes, robbing down sheds e’c, have been erected. Various other buildings and offices prove the thonghtfolnesa of the Park Company Directors and their officers. Away to the rear of the grandstand is a large paddock which would make a capital place for family picnicking and luncheon parties. Altogether not only the Park Company but the public as well should feel proud of the result of the company’s energy in breaking in this once scrub and fern fiat and cultivating and changing it in the way that has been done.

THE FOBMALOPENING. At t quarter past three Messrs Sheet' Meade, and otners ascended the grandstand, where Mr Sheet formally presented Mr W. Maude, as President of the Gisborne Racing Club, with a flag bearing the inscription Gisborne Racing Club.” He hoped the Club would long continue to exist and prosper. Mr Maude, on behalf of the Club, thanked Mr Sheet, and said he trusted that it would be a good omen for the success of the Club. Mr Maude then (amidst applause) hoisted the flag. An adjournment was made to the dining-room, where a sumptious lunch had been laid out. Before the guests took their seats they were welcomed by Mr J. T. Dickson, who said he was glad to see them there, and there were a number of others he should also like to have seen. Lest any who had not received an invitation might feel annoyance he would say that it was at first intended to have had a publio opening of the park grounds, to which the representative men of the district wool have been invited. The various altera-

tions and additions to their plans had, however, thrown the contractor back in his work, and the buildings were not sufficiently forward to be taken over. There was to he a meeting of Directors and he had thought that this would be a good opportunity for asking a few friends to drink success tn the company and club. The entertainment had been got up by himself and one or two others, quite Impromptu, After the edibles had been done justice to, Mr Bees rose to propose <• Success to the Poverty Bay Park Company, and to the Gisborne Racing Club,” This toast, he felt sure, would be drank with as great pleasure as it gave him to propose it. Two years ago no one would have dreamt of sneh improvemeats being made as those which they had just been inspecting, It was a splendid example of what the people of this district could do if they would only poll together. With such a district it was only the impossible that could not be done. Although they had bad times, the district had been pushed ahead in spite of one or two mistakes. He thought that this, and the freezing works—the one for pleasure, and the other for businessmight well be taken as an earnest of what would he done in the future. He would couple with the toast the name of Mr Maude, to whom, and his fellow-directors, thia aucceaa

was in a great maasurp due. Ho hoped that the race course would become the best in New Zealand, and that the beat-blood in the colony would be tested bore. Tbs toast was drunk with enthusiasm. Mr Maude responded, and said he was greatly pleased at the way in which the toast had been received. He was glad to see-them all there, although he was sorry that they were precluded from having a better opening. It would not be fair for him to take the credit of the result of the efforts of all combined. He did not think that there could be picked out twenty men from.the whole district who would work together better than the Directors of the Park Company had done. (Applause.) As to the raoecouree, he wished not only to make it the best in Hew Zealand, but in time he hoped it would be made the best in the Australasian colonies. (Applause,) The visitors then returned to the pleasant task of inspecting the- course and buildings while the Directors of the company held a meeting, at which several farther improvements, to add to the comfort of those attending next Monday's Race Meeting, were authorised to be executed, after which the town visitors were quickly whirled into town by Mr Sam Stevenson’s four horse drag (which had been kindly placed at their disposal), a pleasant finale to a pleasant afternoon, Daring the afternoon Mr W. F. Crawford ■MM* «Mn«a on the ground, and "took a 00 "M Uom tumbled.