BOWLING GREENS.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 890, 9 August 1910, Page 6

BOWLING GREENS.

SHOULD THEY BE RATEDF _ The desirability of giving local authorities permissive power to exempt bowling greens for rating- was the subject of a deputation- from representatives of the North Island Bowling Association, New Zealand South Island Bowling Association, and local clubs to .the Prime Minister yesterday. ' . Mr. Wilford, M.P., said that it was not urged that any mandatory law should be passed on the subject. Some corporations would probably grant whole exemption, whilst others might bo prepared only to grant partial exemption. There could be no doubt but that the greens in Wellington, as elsewhere, were not only recreation grounds, but added greatly to the beauty of the locality. It would be remembered that what was now .the fine Thorndon green was once a, swamp which was u ir.enaco to the public health. In regard to bowling greens there was no objection to the public going to watch tho games; in fact, the clubs, wero only too glad to welcome visitors. It was not desired that greens should be made exempt from rates by law, for it'was felt that that would be a very wrong thing. In conclusion Mr. Wilford pointed out that although a corporation might spend ,£IO,OOO on' constructing greens it could not, under the present law, remit .£2O in rates. Mr. Sidey, M.P. (on behalf of the New Zealand Bowling Association), emphasised the popularity of bowling. He said that in and around Dunedin alone there were 1 several thousands of bowlers. , As no charge was made for admission to onlookers the greens were in the samo position in that regard as church property, for instance, which did not pay rates. He - instanced a number of direct and indirect benefits to the public which accrued from the existenco of these properties. Mr. Myers, M.P., an ex-president of the North*™ Bowling Association, stated that the Auckland Council, during his term as Mayor, laid out bowling greens nnd tennis courts out of the rates. The bowling clubs (he continued) were not out to make profits. Everything that went on on bowling greens was of a hisrh moral character. (Laughter.) The Hon. J. B. Callan, M.L.C., of Dnnedin, said He was convinced that if the proposal were adopted local bodies would be only too glad to exemnt gfeensfrom taxation. It was noticeable everywhere that the building of additional residences quickly followed in a locality where a new ereen was constructed. Mr. Ell, M.P. (Christchurch South) and Mr. Buxton, M.P. (Geraldine) also endorsed the requests. The Prime Minister (in reply) said that, lie fully recognised the importance of the sporr of bowlirip. The matter of collecting rates was, however, one for- the local authorities. So far as the Government was concerned it would kssist them to pome to a decision on the matter by including in legislation to be ■ brought down this session, the permissive clause desired;