FIGHT FOR GROUNDS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1683, 25 February 1913, Page 5

FIGHT FOR GROUNDS.

LEAGUE & RUGBY.

LEAGUE WINS AT THE HUTT. At last night'a meeting of the Hutt Borough Council the question of football grouds wbs considered. Tho.Recrention Coiyjiiitleo,recommended, that the Northern- Union/League's offer of 430 and 50 per cent.' of tho gate takings bo accepted for next season. " As at Pctono last 'week, deputations from uotli parties attended. On Whiili. of. the Wellington Rugby Union, Mr.Perry stated: that his. had.controlled the.Hutt.gr.oimd fur vtars, aim. Had always given satisfaction. "This year, wncn .tnc tame ■terms were offered; tius aid not,, anticipate opposition,' and lie asked that the ground now bo tendered lor. He claimed that tho. Rugbv Union had a prior claim to that, of tho"League, which had only come into existence locally during the middle of last season. If. tho matter were held over he had no doubt that the Rugby Union would ccmo I lorward with an otter more acceptable to the council. ' '■"' Mr Wright, speaking on behalf of the ftorthern-League, stated that its pios-' pects were, as good as those of the Rugby Umoii. Mr, Kerry's remarks, were n.(re guossivork than/ anything , else. If the union were, to outbid 'thorn, tho League 1 would I>6'prepared,-if possible, to again in turn outbid the. Rugby Union: He slat, cd ; in conclusion that the Lcaguo' nicaiit heater for junior c|i}bs! The Mayor.remarked that he was sorry, that the ul.timat.uin. if-the, Recreation. Committee, had, got'into, the, pr&is.' Ho. did. not think'that it was right, that both bodies', should be outbidding, e:\eh other. Councillor. Hodgms, in-Moving, that the recommendation be adopted,' remarked that the. Rugby Union's hicthods in tho past. were well, kiiown to .the ' council. They had always sent out second-rate, teams,,and the consequence was that people w.o'uld iiot go! to the ground...-; There, was no local Rugby Union, senior club, and he challenged Mr. Perry, to state that a. good game of football: had ,<.ver, been played at Hutt last season; ..< "'!.,•■' In seconding, tho motion, Councillor Ball considered that-W hold,tho matter, over would be quite unfair. ' The net takings. livst- year were' 135., and he felt, assured, that tho,league would'do -'muck'bitter!' Mr., Perry had painted a very" pretty. pii>! ture, but it 'would, not "go down.' Ho hoped that the council would' Support' the, motion. -.' ' '' Councillor Dawson,, contended that it would only.b». fair,, to: ratepayers: to.''call ior tenders', and'.let the."highest bidder: be the "purchaser.! If tin's' were'done'the Rugby Union would spur themselves on to put on attractive . games at Hutt. Ho moved as an, amendment that tenders, bo called. ,"■"- ■"-'-. '."■"■'■"■ ",'■■■ '•'-. ■: ■ '"*;'■"■ • '■ Councillor- Kempthorno seconded tho amendment, and .ad<lted : '- that' he" was pleased to see "that tho."Recreation Ground" was,'"looking up," " ."■'.■'■•', ■-.-',',-'Y'r Councillor Clendon did not agree with the amendment," and siig'gested'that each body'be offered one ground "at \£}b per. annum. ■' -;-v'. '..;' ■''> - -': It was explained that the, Rugby Union's, rules apparently .'did 'not allow tlieni to I play on the samo ground as the League. Councillor Roots was in .favour-"of-the motion.. The Rugby. Union had dono'jYCry', little for Hutt; and, to, oust them for one seastyi, would do them good! Let tho . Rugby. Union Ret grounds elsewhere. '..'",' Councillor Hobbs would,. support.: the motion, for tho "reason that,\the Rugby Union had a, monopoly. .",'■'."■ '"."'"..' Councillor, Knjght also, stated that'hen would-support tho motion,.and give' \the Leiiguo alliance/ 1 " " ■;-•••/■■■ .■• ■■■ The. Mayor, staled that, he would support, the amendment; Ho claimed' that' owingto. the. publicity, 'to'.' tlffi' -mutter-' neither Kide hadhad a fairopportunity to make, their, offers. '",',""'. ■ ':■!' ■ The motion wo> then put tho''"division being'. 'a» follows;— For" ' the'.'- 1 motion:' Councillors W(M\< Roots, Hall,'Ctbndbn;. Hodgins, and' Khi'ght'. "■'Against: The Mayor, Councillors, Dawson and- Kemp-; thofno..:', ■ -■- "> '--'. . " '■;■'-..' "' ;■