Fertile ground for banter

Beautiful weather prevailed on Saturday afternoon, when the directors of the New Zealand and South Seas Exhibition Company, the members of the various committees connected with the Exhibition, and their wives and friends were the guests of the Horticulture Committee at a tree-planting ceremony at Logan Park.

Mr D. Tannock (chairman of the committee) explained that a tree had been set apart for each of the directors, the members of the Works Committee, the chairmen of the other committees, and the builders and contractors, and these would be marked with their names. The only fly in the ointment was that they would have to set to work planting the trees and shovels would be provided for this purpose. The first tree was planted by Master and Miss Ross, son and daughter of the chairman of directors (Mr J. Sutherland Ross), and the directors then set to work on their own arboreal monuments.  Mr Arthur Barnett was strongly of opinion that he had been given more earth to shovel than anyone else. The Mayor (Mr Tapley) did not do badly at all, and Mr Somerville, Mr W.R. Hayward, and Mr Halsted also plied a useful shovel. Mr Douglas’s turn did not come until most of the others were finished and free to criticise his work. So it went on until the work was finished, after which the afternoon tea adjournment in No. 1 building was taken.

Square deal for Uni Oval

The proposed terms of the lease by the City Council to the University Council of a playing area on Logan Park are set out in detail in a report by the Reserves Committee.

1: That the area of 8.3 acres shown on the plan be leased to the University for a term of 99 years with a right of renewal similar to the council’s lease from the Harbour Board.

2: That the University, at its own cost, erect all buildings required, do all the necessary fencing, lay out and construct the playing area and running track, and do all other works and things necessary to make the area in question fit for the purpose for which they intend using it.

3: That the University have the "first refusal" of the use of a further area of approximately 10 acres for sport and games on the same terms as those imposed on sports clubs or associations as to rental and all other conditions.

4: That in consideration of the provisions hereinafter contained the City Council undertake (a) the maintenance of the surface as a playing area, including the track; (b) that no rental be charged; (c) that no rates be imposed on the area of 8.3 acres.

5: That the City Council have the right to let the same to clubs or associations for games during the months of November to March (inclusive) each year, provided the University does not require the use of the area for its own purposes during these months.

6: That the council have the right to the use of the area and all buildings and appurtenances thereon for any purpose whatever except for football, unless approved by the University Council, on six days each year, dating from the commencement of the lease, without charge; not more than four of the said days to be Saturdays.

7: That when a charge is made for admission to the area in question, whether such is made by the University authorities or any other club, society or association using the area under agreement with the University, the City Council be paid 25 percent of the gross takings. All outgo for any purpose whatever to be borne by the remaining 75 percent.

— ODT, 18.5.1925 (Compiled by Peter Dowden)