LANCASTER PARK

Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 24907, 21 June 1946, Page 5

LANCASTER PARK

Sir,—Will the . Canterbury Rugby Union quote the rules of the English Rugby Union under which it claims it is unable to accede to a request from the Canterbury Rugby League for the use of a Rugby ground, and Si-1111 “K explanation for the English Rugby Union taking no action against it in connexion with its (or granting the 1920?Ao£s rtf LeagUe team June 19, 1946. ’ FROG POND - „ ITJis letter was referred to Mr W. E. Maxwell, president of the Canterbury Rugby Union, who said he had no comment to make.]

Sir,—l am one of the Christchurch citizens whose money paid for Lancaster Park in the past and whose money (as. gate-money) has maintained parx funds, ever since. Therefore, we claim the right to demand that the use of the park is offered to the English former servicemen, who are soon to be New Zealand’s welcome guests We hope Sir Patrick Duff will let England know that we Christchurch citizens think only our best is good enough for our brother former servicemen from Home, and that we welcome this opportunity to show our gratitude to England. A Gallup poll would prove that Canterbury people want to see England nlay on the best ground the capital of Canterbury can provide, which is Lancaster Park, paid for and maintained by money provided by the people, and not by a few officials of the Canterbury Rugby Union.—Yours, etc., CHRISTCHURCH CITIZEN. June 20, 1946.

Sir, —Isn’t it about time this Lancaster Park controversy came to an end? Canhot we face the following facts and let the matter rest? (1) League is a form of the Rugby game played primarily by professional footballers in the north of England and elsewhere to a lesser degree. (2) Whatever may be said to the contrary, League and Rugby don’t’ mix. They clash in every country where both are played and always will. It doesn’t need any piffling local feuds to Ainderline this fact. Local League players are not paid because there is/rt anything to pay them with. If there was. they would be paid; don’t worry. (3) Reference to Soccer, cricket, or hockey is beside the point. League is a rival Rugby game; the others are not. For these reasons the League hasn’t got a dog’s chance of getting Lancaster Park and knows it. So let’s call it a day.— Yours, etc., H.M.C. June 20, 1946.

Sir,—Could you please supply answers to the following questions: <ll Who owns Lancaster Park? (2) Has the Victory Park Board of Trustees authority to say who may and who may not have the use of the park, or has the Rugby Union authority to override and to veto decisions of the Victory Park Board? Or is it that the board exercises authority only during the summer months, a period during which, as everyone knows, professionals have been permitted to disport themselves there in organised games; and that during winter the Rugby Union assumes complete authority to refuse the use of the ground to an international League team? If such is the case, as indeed it would appear to be, then surely the original act has been aborted, making intervention imperative. Is there anyone to suggest that Parliament may not amend its own legislation?—Yours, etc., MAN IN THE STREET. June 20, 1946. [l. The Victory Park Act vests the land in His Majesty the King in trust 2. Clause 3 of the act states: “The said land shall be available for all time for the following purposes—a. cricket played under the control or with the sanction of the committee for the time being of the Canterbury Cricket Association; b. Rugby football played under the control or with thg sanction of the committee for the time being of the Canterbury Rugby ■Football Union- and, c. such other sports, exhibitions, amusements, and entertainments as the Board of Trustees constituted as hereinafter set forth may from time to time deem expedient.’’—Ed.. “The Press.”] •

Sir,—The latest statement. Issued by the Canterbury Rugby Union does not make sense, and is so full of bunk that one wonders what type of men are controlling our national sport. I should like to remind the union that Lancaster Park is financed to them providing they retain the goodwill of players, who play the game and the public who make the gate. I understand that there is a movement afoot by players, to have at least one Saturday strike to bring these gentlemen to their senses If this is so I take opportunity to congratulate these sporting players on their attitude and also think that the public could at least refrain from further patronage of Lancaster Park until such time as the Rugby Union change its attitude towards the Englishmen, who a short time ago fought to save, the world, and that includes Lancaster Park.—Yours, etc., t .. EX-PATRON. June 20, 1946.