“That this Council, knowing the urgent necessity for a recreation ground for Rushden, do hereby take steps to procure a field or fields for that purpose either by hire or purchase.”

He said that at the formation of the Urban Council several candidates advocated a recreation ground but nothing definite was done. At the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee 14½ years ago a large and representative gathering passed a resolution asking that a recreation ground be provided for the town. Therefore, the question, an important one, had been long before the public, and he believed that now was the time to deal with it. About five months ago there was a town’s meeting and it was decided that

Rushden’s Greatest Need

was a recreation ground. But they had made one great mistake, and that was that they had been in favour of voluntary contributions rather than providing the recreation ground from the rates. He could never see why that matter should be treated different from other matters such as sewage, water, or road improvements. These could be done by the town and rates raised for that purpose, and why not a scheme whereby all the children of the town would benefit passed his imagination. There was no town in the county the size of Rushden without a recreation ground, and it was time they took a determined step to get one. He believed that question had priority over all other questions and he hoped they would pass the resolution. With regard to the question of a field he had been looking around the town with regard to sites, and he had come to the conclusion that

No Central Site

was available, and, if it was, the cost would spoil the scheme. The town was practically divided into two parts east and west and his suggestion was that both these parts of the town should be provided for it looked as if a field should be provided somewhere between Queen-street and Newton-road on the east side; and anywhere between Wellingborough-road and Knuston would be suitable for that part of the town. On the desirableness of a recreation ground they were all agreed, and the second question as to the sites could be agreed to, and now they came to the question “Can we afford it?” Personally he believed the town was in a splendid position to provide a recreation ground. He was of opinion that the Council were well able to do this if they only had the determination they ought to have when dealing with a question of that kind.

The Financial Position

of the town had been greatly improved. During the past three years there had been an increase in the income from the rates of £300, and they as a town were well able to carry the burden, if burden they called it, of a recreation ground, and they could do it well without increasing the rates one half-penny. From a financial standpoint they were well able to carry it out. Mr. Spencer showed how the town’s revenue had increased from various sources, and said they were thus able to provide the ground without any rise in the rates. Continuing, he said he hoped the Council would seriously consider the resolution, and if they could not

Purchase A Ground

they would hire one.

Mr. C. Bates seconded the resolution, and said that he hoped the Council would carry the proposition unanimously, so that they could be as well off in that respect as other towns of the same size as their own.

Mr. F. Ballard supported Mr. Spencer’s proposition. He thought it was a crying shame that they had no proper recreation ground in Rushden for the children. He thought it was a necessity and he had very great pleasure in supporting the resolution. In the event of a recreation ground being provided he should like it to be a ground where the children could play and not an ornamental ground. (Applause)

The Ven. A. Kitchin said it was an acknowledged fact that some provision should be made for the children of the town. If they could provide a ground

Without Adding to the Rates,

he should be only too glad to see the provision made. He favoured hire rather than purchase. There were many reasons. In the first place it would be in the way of an experiment. He thought it would be a great mistake to lay out any large sum, but at the same time he thought there was a great deal in the suggestion that if the land was hired it could eventually be purchased if desired. While he should oppose the purchase of a recreation ground, if Mr. Spencer’s estimate was correct and it could be done without adding to the rates, but

Out of Increased Revenue,

he should be perfectly prepared to support the resolution.

Mr. Bazeley supported the resolution. He said that if they hired a field, when the time came to purchase they would find the purchase price considerably increased; and if they leased a field for a number of years at the end of that time the Council would be no nearer owning the property. It seemed to him that the purchase scheme was the best.

Mr. J. Claridge (chairman) said they had done their best to obtain a recreation ground by voluntary subscription, but it was no good. Therefore, if a recreation ground was to be provided he had no doubt that it would have to come out of the rates. He was rather inclined towards purchase, because he did not think if would cost them much more. Seeing that the town was very much spread about and they had to supply

The Children’s Needs,

he thought two grounds were necessary. He did not think they could satisfy the demands of the town with one site. He thought it was their duty to provide a recreation ground, but he did not think they ought to raise the rate above 5/0, which was high enough.

Mr. Spencer agreed to alter his resolution to the following terms:- “That in the opinion of this Council it is highly desirable that immediate steps be taken to provide a suitable recreation ground for Rushden and that a special committee be appointed to consider how best to carry such a desirable object into effect.”

Mr. G. Miller said he should like to congratulate Mr. Spencer for conceding the alteration.

The following were appointed the committee:- The chairman and Vice-chairman (Mr. Claridge and Mr. Miller), Mr. Bayes, and Mr. Knight, and two outside gentlemen, Mr. Geo. Selwood and Mr. J. S. Mason.