Squabble Over a Rugby Ground

Chronicle (Levin), 23 August 1949, Page 6

Squabble Over a Rugby Ground

Press Association)

(Per

WELLINGTON, August 22. The argument between the New Zealand Rugby Union and the Wanganui City Council as to 'whether Spriggens Park, Wanganui 's Rugby ground, should be made available for a Rugby League match oifSeptember 6, was carried a stage further today without anj> change being made in previous decisions. A letter from the Wanganui City Council advised the N.Z.R.P.U1 executive that the Wanganui City Council would ehdeavour to see whether the Australian Rugby League team 's itinerary could be changed to enable it to play at Wanganui in October which would be after Rugby 's control of the ground had ceased for the season. The Wanganui City Council also pointed ooit that the lease was entered into between the council and Wanganui Rugby Union and that the council did not recognise the N.Z.R.F.U. as having any jurisdietion. That point was being referred to the council 's solicitor. "There is the position, gentlemen, " said the chairman, Mr. A. St. C. Belcher, after the letter had been read. "When the ground reverts to the Wanganui City Council we can do nothing about it. " Mr. Belcher then referred to the clause in the lease eovering the Wanganui Union 's tenure of the ground. This was to the ' effect that the lessee was debarred from allowing the ground to be used for any other than Rugby football (amateur). Wanganui 's letter was received.