FOOTBALL GROUNDS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1677, 18 February 1913, Page 6

FOOTBALL GROUNDS.

—-—♦ LEAGUE & RUGBY. THE. PETONE ALLOCATION. At the Petone Borough Council's meeting Inst night the report on the allocation of football grounds from tho Recreation Committee waß read. In connection with tho matter, large deputations from tho Petono Rugby Union Football Club, and tho Petono '.League Football Club waited upon' the council in support of their various claims. The report of the committeo was lis follows:— That the offer or the Rugby Union for tho use of grounds Nos. 1, 2, and 3 on the Petone Recreation Reserve, on tho Sanio conditions as lost year (excepting that the; council receive 60 per cent, and the union 40 per cent, of the net gate takings) be accepted. That the Leaguo Football Club bo offered the choico of tho grounds over the stop-bank at £o per ground. That St. David's Association be granted one ground on. the reserve- at £b per year.

J Councillor Leaves the Room. The Mayor stated that the primary reason for consideration was the fact that the Petone Football Club had a prior claim, and the offer of the union could not be set aside. The offsr of the union was equal (based on last .year's figures) ,to .£l2O per year. If the offer was turned 'Aovm, it meant that the Petone Club Safeijld havo to go and seek fresh ground. IK moved that the report be adopted. LjPpuncillor Piper asked that the corre"sptiridence bo read, as nothing had been said about the League's offer, and he objected to any club having a pre-emptive right to the grounds. After the correspondence had been read, Councillor Loddfir said that the union had not answered all tho questions (especially those about finals). This meant that there would be no finals at Petone. Councillor Piper at this stage rose to move nn amendment, but was ruled out of order on the ground that he had waived his claim previously.

Councillor Piper: Pardon me, sir, I have not spoken to the motion. The Mayor: Oh, yes, you have. Councillor Piper: You debar ,in© from moving this amendment? The "Mayor: In the meantime, yes. Councillor Piper (rising and leaving the room): I wilt not sit on a council that goes on in this way.' I wish you good evening.". . The Mayor: I am very sorry, but the rules of debate must be adhered to.

The League's Case, ■ Tiie deputations were then heard. Mr. W. S. Brice (chairman of the Petone League Club) claimed that a ground should be given, the League'on the basis that there were a section "oi ratepayers belonging to the Northern. Union Club, who should be considered, The League were prepared to give .£SO per year for an alternative right to play'on No. 1 ground. 1 In other words," when, tlie Petone Union Club were playing away from home, the league should play on i\'o..l. On otherJiaturuaysUo. 2 would suffice. The League did not ask tor ajiy' gate receipts. On the other hand the Rugby Union were selfish and apparently desired a monopoly. If the council allowed this they were not doing their duty. The Leaguo did not relish playing on a quagmiro; and required a decent ground, where spectators, could be comfortable. Matches would be played:every, Saturday, and instead of two foreign teams occupying the oval, a local team would be tho attraction. . \ : ' '

Mr. A. Anderson, as a'ratepayer, asked the council to consider with favour the Leaguo's application so as to give. Petone people a chance of witnessing the game of their choice.' 'It was a pitiable thing to see tho League playing on a lagoon and two outside teams on the citizen's beautiful ground. It would be seen from both applications that the Rugby Union wanted all or none, but the League were prepared to fall ■ in with any requirements. Mr. H. Wright'also spoko in favour of the League's application. " : The Rugby Claims. '~':, Mr. W. J. Harjham, on behalf of tho .Petone Football ,'Club and tho. Union, pointed out that the Rugby Union rules would not allow their teams, to play on the same grounds as tho League, and if the League's offer was accepted it meant that approsimately 120 players in Petone would have to go elsewhere for grounds. The union- had always played alternative-matches at Petone, and would continue to do so. There was no country in the world;where Northern Union clubs catered for tho younger players as the Rugby Union, did. Ho claimed that tho recreation ground was for the greatest number of players. The Rugby Union was the .only reTenue-producer on that ground in the winter. Their players, too, were over 21 and 'had got votes. (Laughter.) . •'"-.■■■

Councillor Lodder said that the matter ought to, receive consideration. The League were entitled to a ground. He was surprised that theunion were so childish as to raise the question of not playing on the same ground as the League. He moved as an amendment: "That the League be granted one, ground (either No. 2 or 3) 'for '.£SO per year."

Councillor Short, in seconding the motion, said ,that there had- been a lot of trouble with tho Rugby Union and they could not bo allowed a monopoly. Had the League not made, an offer the trouble would have been reopened.

Councillor List would oppose the amendment. He looked upon the Petone Rugby Club as the rightful owners of the ground.

Councillor., Brocldebank said that the Rugby Union had always treated its players pTOoerly.

The Mayor remarked that as long as the Petono Club existed they had a right to the ground and no other organisation could turn them down. It was unfortunate for the League, but so long as the club was affiliated to the Rugby Union, they could play matches, and must have grounds, The League had to first prove their mettle. Councillor Loddej, in reply, said that he could see that. the amendment was hopeless, but he was actuated by a desire to givo fair play to everybody. The amendment was then put and lost, the: division being as under:—For the amendment: Councillors. Lodder and Short. Against: Councillors, Troeman. Cox, Brooklebank, Wokeham, List, and the Mayor.

The motion was carried. Both deputations thanked the council for their courtesy.