CHARGES FOR FOOTBALL MATCHES.

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 17112, 6 April 1921, Page 7

CHARGES FOR FOOTBALL MATCHES.

NO INCREASE FOR FIRST ROUND.

There was a lengthy discussion at the meeting of the Management Committee of x the, Canterbury Rugby Union last night, on the matter of increasing the charges for admission to tlub football matches this -season on Lancaster Park. Mr C; R. Clark, chairman of the Lancaster Park Board of Control, was present by invitation to confer with members of the executive. Mi' Clark said that the Lancaster Park Board had discussed the matter of football charges. Ho felt that the Board might be putting itself in a wrong position ii the resolution was entoiceci, as j>a : ssed—that the Board should fix a ,minimum charge. Such a measure would tie the Union down to the samo charges for all niatclies, and might cause some antagonism, and m> it was thought advisable to ''hold, a chat" with the Union about the matter. If it was found necessary for the Union to charge the higher rates, the Board should assist to carry that out. There was a rush in admitting football crowds, and he did not see how it would bo possible for the change to be given when 9d charge was made. It the Board put on enough men to deal with the rush crowds and hand out the threepences without causing delay, the Union might say the Board's charges for the use of the ground were too high. Mr S. F. Wilson, president -of the Canterbury Rugby Union, saidthat the question in his mind was whether. it was right for the Lancaster Park Board to fix the minimum charge, or for the body controlling the sport to do so. Questioned as "to the percentage in gate takings to be charged by tho Lancaster Park Board, Mr Clark said that if the percentage charges were raised it might cause big matches to be played in other centres, and he thought the effort of the Board should be directed towards getting the big matches played on Lancaster Park. Mr Duggan said that on.last year's prices—ls inside, and fid on the embankment—there was a much larger attendance on the cheaper portion of the ground.:, The chairman: The position ifi, we want more revenue, biit can a 9d gate bo handled, and will a higher charge keep people away? Mr F. I). Kesteven thought that the trouble of banding out 3d. change to those in a rush crowd could not bo coped with. Mr McPhail said that the theatres seemed to be able to handle the change all right at their ticket-boxes, although they had the Id tax to collect. Mr Clark.said that the Board should not tie the Union's the matter of a minimum charge. He had heard a. suggestion that the _ Rugby Union might consider the advisability of selling tickets to admit to a certain number of matches. These ticket* would require to be-perforated. Mr Kesteven said it would be preferable to have cash, given at the gate. The issue of tickets would entail a lot of secretarial work. .'

The chairman: Wo might compromise and make the charges Is and 6d for the first- round, and Is 6d and Is for, tbe second round. Last year, on the working of the Union, we made £150; but this year, with the lighting scheme and other expenses, we will have to raise £3OO more than we did last year. After further discussion, Mr G. Buchanan moved that tho resolution passed at last meeting increasing tha charges be rescinded. The chairman said he would accept the motion without notice, considering the urgency of .the matter. The motion was carried, and a further motion by Mr Buchanan, that the charges be Is inside, and 6d outside, for the first round of the competition matches, and then be Bubject to review, was carried by 7 votes to 6, against an amendment moved by Mr McCully that the charges be Is 6d and 9d. •