WINTER PASTIMES.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 436, 19 February 1909, Page 7

WINTER PASTIMES.

—. —fr— —— THE SCRAMBLE FOR GROUNDS. DISCUSSION BY WELLINGTON RUGBY UNION. Matters relating to a proposal to lease the Recreation Ground'at I'otono for the ensuing season formed .the subject of an interesting dismission at the meeting of the committee of the Wellington Rugby Union, last night. , The Petone Borough Council wrote stating that it had given tho matter of leasing .the Petono Recreation Ground during the football season duo consideration, and it had resolved:—"That tho Wellington Rugby Union be offered the use'of the ground for <?ach Saturday during the • season for the sum; of £250;" As applications '■ had ' been received from various teams for portions'ofthe'Recreation- Grq'und. and these .'could not be answered until' it. knew the' decision- of the-'uhionji it wished, an earlv reply:. '.'. ■ The chairman (Mr: S. Brown) said'thatthe union had'sustained'a loss on; last year's operations of/£400.' It'had to be'remembered' also that' tho lease'of the- Miramar. Park would -not expire- for two years.., The takings at'Petono/last season .totalled £140,- of which the council -■■ received. £100. If- the union offered £lao that;was-.all,it could afford. As tho union .had' the Atliletio. Park this year it. was probable that not' so many visitors would go out to Petone. He woukTmovo: "That this Petone Council b6 offered £150 on condition, thaV they keepvtho grounds in -.order■ BWd',p'ronde.-gate,-keep6rs." -•'■■■ Mr. ■ Hales -J I•' think' we should: offer. £150 net.

.The-chairman: If they accept the' offer I have suggested they.. Will make morotkan last year: <We might.' have a : good: season this-year, butrit is desirable' that we should bo as'economical as .possible.. '■ ~ The mbt'ion was-seconded by Mr.:Sweeney. Mr.■..O'SuUivan:.Maybe-this is their'final offer.-!.. ~ - : -' ; The chairman: Well,- if. that, is'the' case, ■■■ let it bo so. It would'riot bo fair for. us to take the'ground .and lose £100 over it.' Mr. Murray:-I<think>!wo shall be'able to pay our way lidxt year. ; Mr: Hales: I hold- an'opposite' view. Upon the suggestion of Mr. Sweeney, the chairman amended the-motion to' read • that the council bo offered £140-and-the union provide'the'gate-keepers. '■". A member: But what if the council .refuse the offer? ; .

The chairman: Let them' refuse'. We'shall have - sufficient grounds without those in question. The only thing is that if we cannot- get them players' at: Petone- will''be" inconvenienced. Mr. Alpe'moved, as.- an. amendment, that the sum of £175 be offered, the councilto supply, three gatekeepers and- keep the ground in order. He thought that, the union could stretch appoint an'order to push ahead the;amateur game".at Petone: . Mr. O'Silllivari; who seconded the amendment, , .was■■• of opinion that' the. union could not afford to lose,the grounds. There was now opposition in the -iield- 1 -^ — •■•. . The chairman:. My. motion is based purely ori financial grounds; The' only other winter, game we' need- to ,fear is- >soccer football. Some people; have ■ got into a "bluo- funk" over, professional football. , -My .opinion is that w.6 rieed'.uot be.afraid of that game-at all. I want to do all I : can for the amateur game;'but not'to get into ! debt if-,wo can help it; [■"■ ■ ■ , ,>■ .'. ';.•:.. '■■ Mr. Hardham. said that.the. union would lose -/the' Athletic Park in-1914 or 1915; and by. tli at time ; the iPetone' grounds' '.would have become.much moro valuable. '-. The' chairman: From - what I can see of matters the Petone, Council is trying to'force our' hands: If'we were fliiancially strong: it would be. a different matter. . Mr;-Hardham:: I don't think that £180 is sufficient, to, offer: for the grounds. Enthusiasm 'for the game .is growing, in the district, and as its population is also-in-creasing at a'rapid rate the gates should-'.be-come'; .bigger ■every, year; ~ : . Jlr^'-Murray.thought a deputatidn. should wait .ion' the Petono' Council and' explain, exactly how the union' stood financially. - Upon ithe amendment being'. put' it was supported by'most:of the members, and ultimately, agreed'tov ~'.' .''..■ ■'.'■-.■'• .'.