THE DOMAIN AND FOOTBALL

Chronicle (Levin), 11 July 1946, Page 2

THE DOMAIN AND FOOTBALL

FENCE TO BE ERECTED Considerable controversy has been carried on since the commencement of the football season relative to the fence at the Otaki Domain, which had been taken down by the Agricultural Department for the purpose of vegetable growing ^n wartime. It was pointed out that che fence- had never been re-erect-od, despite the fact that posts, itc:, were available. The Horowhelua Rugby Union desired the fence ,o be restored in its original posijion, or near to it, while some of die referees had stated that they vould not offfciate till the fence was re-erected, this being on account of .pectators encroaching on the field jC play and making a nuisance of Jiemselves. At last evening's meeting of the Dtaki Borough Council a letter was received from Mr. J. A. Zuppicich, secretary of the Horowhenua Rugby Jnion, stating that complaints were .eaching the union from referees in iharge of matches on the Otaki Jomain of the impossibility of eeping the public off the playing irea through there being no fence .n front of the stand to f orm a ,-rotecting line. It was suggested in .he letter that a fence be erected, :ven if only for the rugby season. It ^as felt that the council would apjr°ciate the need of this fence in . he interests of.the players and mblic alike, and it was hoped that he request would be acceded to. Mr. Cook moved that a post and •ail fence as desired be erected, say !5 feet from the stand and about /5 yards long. He pointed out that Jie fence was badly needed. Cr. Hakaraia, in seconding the notion, supported Mr. Cook's re^CiS Bartosh, Bennett and Gimbiett did not favour the erection of "„he fence, the latter pointing put that it would not be fair to saddle ratepayers with the liability of the work. He pointed out that, the Agricultural Department had made a oeautiful ground of the Domain and rs the request came from an outside body he thought it should not have consideration. The union contnbutsd but little to the ground, and -he maintained that should it be decided to re-erect the fence the ' union should bear the expense. Cr. Bartosh pointed out that the vrnnnri im d heen laid out to the

5atisfaction of the council, ^-f1^ that the cost of maintenance of the ground was a heavy oue while the revenue derived was small. Further, the grandstand needed attention, and he was against the council pay- ; ing further money. He considered that if a temporary fence was to be re-erected it should be done by the union, the council to supply the ^ material. ^ „ Cr. Cook said that the council would not be put to extra cost as material was available for the fence. Cr. Bennett stated that the ground had already cost the council a great deal of money, and he i considered that sports bodies wei e i getting off far too lightly. I Cr. Young pointed out that the ' council had been allowed a certain I amount for the re-erection of the. I fence, and maintained it Should be erected and sport encouraged. The i crowd could not be kept back from ! the side-line at matches, and it was up to the council to assist in : the sport. The fence was there before, and why not now? The Mayor (Mr. C. F. Atmore) thought that the fence had always j been in the wrong position, as the ' ground was too narrow, but said i that if the union erected a fence ! of a light nature, one which could ■ be easily removed when desired, : the council might help, but he : would not favour the erection of a j permanent fence. Moreover, the j union should bear the cost. j Cr Hakaraia stated that it was I the duty of the Agricultural De- | partment to erect the fence, while j he considered it the council's duty ! to help sport, especially if it wanted to get a percentage of the gate ; takings. It was also desired that j'big- games be attracted to Otaki. ! After considerable further discussion it was agreed that the union I be allowed to erect ,_a temporary j fence, and the councii to defray che cost.