SUPPORT FOR SPORT

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 2, Issue 226, 16 October 1940, Page 5

SUPPORT FOR SPORT

COUNCILLOR'S STRONG APPEAL CARING FOR THE DOiSIAIN, A vigorous appeal for a better realisation of the asset possessed by Whakatane in the Domain and assistance in the maintenance of sport was made by the Deputy-Mayor, Cr. S. S. Shapley, at the monthly meeting of the Borough Council on Monday evening. Cr Shaplcy's remarks followed a statement by the Mayor that he had been approached by representatives of two local cricket teams with a view to securing the council's assistance in cutting the grass in the Domain, and followed also the question, which had been decided, of the purchase of a mower and horse as an alternative to the purchase of a power mower for grass cutting within the Borough. His Worship the Mayor, in introducing the subject, said that if the council could give the cricket clubs any assistance it should do so. However, as he had pointed out, it resolved itself into fitting in with the < ordinary work of the Borough. Mr Barry asked the Borough Foreman if it would be possible to render assistance, the Foreman replying that it would take one day per week to cut the grass in the Do--' main and the task was out of the question. . . The Importance of Sport. "I do not think the council is carrying its responsibilities," said Cr Shapley. "We have a wonderful Domain and Ave. ought to cater for ( the sportsmen of the district. Whakatane is growing and we will have to look after the Borough, with the Domain as one of its greatest as- • sets. It is up to us to do our bit." ] Cr Shapley stressed the importance of physical training in the life ( of the nation, saying that there was j no greater place for that training , than on the sporting fields. The young men of to-day, would be the £ fighters of to-morrow and it should , be remembered that at the present ] time the country was at war with a ( nation which had looked after its ] youth. j Youth should be encouraged. The ( lack of that encouragement had been due to an insistent stress on ] the economic needs of the moment. "If the council is not prepared to < ■shoulder its responsibilities, I, as a. ] member of the Domain Board, am. ( prepared to wait on you and ask for j a further subsidy," said Cr Shapley. The Mayor: "Can you, as chairman of the Works Committee, tell me how the work can be done?"

Gr Shapley: "It coulcl have been done with a motor inower, and at a low cost." 'We liave progressed and we must be progressive, 'V concluded the Deputy-Mayor, "and we cannot do it by cutting the cloth all the time."