A field for Toko residents to enjoy sports

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

Re: Toko sports field dispute, May 11 story.
Why a dispute?
The Commissioner of Crown Lands in 1924 said that it should stay as a sports field!
All these years it has been used by sports teams. Four rugby teams in the tournaments in the 1940s — Waima, Tawhiti, Mata and United, as well as horse sports and even go-kart racing once!
Mr Bill Oates has been maligned throughout this report.
He was not interested in owning land. To prove my point, he only owned the land his home was on, not even the land his Oates Bros shop (of 30 years) was on. He did his best to ensure Toko residents, Maori or Pakeha, were able to enjoy sports on that field.

Nellie Bell