BREEZE OVER OTAKI DOMAIN

Chronicle (Levin), 14 October 1946, Page 2

BREEZE OVER OTAKI DOMAIN

RUGBY SEASQN CONSIDERED TOO PROTRACTED CR. BARTOSH'S CRITICISM Taking exception to the manner in which the use of the Otaki Domam had been allocated by allowing football matches to be continued to a date date to the detriment of cricket, ' Cr. B&rtosh, at a recent meeting of the Otaki Borough Council, expressed a wish to resign from the dornaih. committee as a protest against the council's action. The Mayor (Mr. C. 'f. Atmore) pointed out that, unfortunately, Cr. Bartosh had been absent from the last meeting when 'a deeision was arrived at to allow the footballers to play a match on September 28, the time being extended from September 14. Cr. Bartosh stated that it had been agreed that footballers should be off the ground by September 14 so as to allow the cricketers time to get their field in order. It was now too late for the cricketers to improve the ground. Cr. Young stated that he understood the cricketers had nO objection to the extension of time given to the footballers. He desijred it understood that Cr. Bartosh had had his backing. Cr. Cook stated that he had seen members of the cricket club concerning the matter, and they had raised no objection. Therefore, it was agreed that a match be played on September 28. He thought that the Agricultural Department should be written to and told that the ground was in an unsatisfactory condition through decaying vegetables allowing the ground to sink. He considered that the department should help put the ground in order. He regretted that Cr. Bartosh had taken up the attitude he had. The Mayor stated that football matches had been played when the ground was unplayable, and in consequence harm had been done to the playing area. Cr. Cook stated that playing grounds right throughout New Zealand had been bad during the season, and in places mud was ankle deep. The Agricultural Department, he maintained, should be asked to view the ground. Holes in the playing field were not caused by footballers, but by decaying vegetable matter. Hc moved that the department be written to, and the motion* was seconded 'by Cj^ Young and carried. The latter hoped for relief, supporting Cr. Cook as to thc decaying vegetable matter being the cause of 'the bad state of the ground. Cr. Bartosh considered that the ground as far as the cricketers were concerned should have been seen to earlier. The fault lay with the footballers. Cr. Bennett considered that Cr. Bartosh had good grounds for complaint, and although he was annoyed he had no justification for resigning. Cr. Bartosh, he said, had done good work, and he hoped he would continue on the committee. A letter was received from the cricket club asking for the ground to be placed at its disposal as early as possible. — It was pointed out that the club had already been given permission to use the ground as from September 28. Cr. Gimblett stated that work on the domain was necessary, and that he would like to see sports combine and put the ground in order. It was decided to grant the club a quantity of soil for improvement purposes. Cr. Gimblett thought that if the Agricultural Department agreed to put the ground in order, an awkward position might arise, as they would probably have to close the ground to all sport for a time. — Cr. Young thought the department might make a grant towards improvement. It was stated that the goal posts would have to be removed, and something done in regard to the | fence which had only been erected for temporary purposes. Cr. Cook stated that it was likely that application would be made by j sports bodies to leave the fence in j its present position. It was finally agreed that the I fence be removed unless a notice of j motion was received to the con- 1 trary.