THE PALE ELEPHANT.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1751, 16 May 1913, Page 6

THE PALE ELEPHANT.

p RUGBY UNION AND PARK. A deputation of tiro representatives of the Management Committee of the Wellington Rugby Union—Messrs. 13. 0. Hales (chairman), and Mr. W. Perry—waited upon the City Council last evening to urge consideration of the union's application for a remission of rates on tho Athletic Park property. Mr. Perrv spoke for the deputation and traversed the history of the union's acquisition of the property, pointing out that owing to the unsatisfactory condition of their finances the Rugby body had been compelled to the council for some alleviation of their straitened condition. Ho claimed that in the past, as at present, the Rugby Union incidentally saved tho corporation considerable expense by providing playing grounds for some 1500 players, and had never in the past, when its finances were in a. better condition, asked anything of tho council.

The Mayor (Mr. J. P. Luke) assured tho deputation that its application would liavo overy consideration. "Have your finances improved in any way by the increased gate charges?" he asked. Mr. Perry replied that, it was difficult to say, as the weather had affected tho attendance. For the first four Saturdays this season the takings had been about the same as for the corresponding period of last year. Ths Mayor reminded tho deputation that that some five, or six years ago tho corporation had 1 opened up negotiations for taking over the park, but the union had not been very anxious to let go, and the council, in deference to the union's apparent desire to remain in possession, had retired from the negotiations. Tho deputation then withdrew and the matter was subsequently referred to tho Reserves Committee for report.