SPORT & RATES.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1852, 11 September 1913, Page 7

SPORT & RATES.

MAYOR OPPOSED TO REMISSION. In connection with tho New Zealand 7' Sports Protection Leaguo's letter to tho Mayor (Mr. J. P. Luke) on tho subject of tho remission of rates on sports grounds, somd observations were made by Mr. Luke in. conversation with a reporter yesterday. Referring to the 1 suggestion that a Minister of Sport should bo appointed in Franco, ]Mr. Luko sa'id this was an idea that might commend itself to the French people, but he was quite sure a number of people hero would never bo satisfied unless a whole Government of Sport was appointed. Ho quite agreed with tho remarks about tho duty of tho corpora- 1 tion to provide parks for the people, and pointed out that the Wellington City Council had 1 not been behindhand in this matter. Mr. Luke instanced the amount of over £16,000. invested in tho purchase' of land, for tho Lyall Bay Reserve ; the amount of over £37,000 paid out of rates on account of tho reserves in tin; last few years; and the amount of £32,000 .spent on the Anderson, Wakefield, and Kelbume Parks, £27,0001 of this being by way of loan and £5000 out of revenue.' Tho chargo on the city last year (including rent on loan) in connection with the reserves was very little short of £12,000., Coming to the question of the amount of rates asked to be remitted, Mr. Luke oxpressod himself as personally quite opposed to the suggestion. _ Ho did not share in the opinion that rich and poor should bo treated aliko on this question, and ho thought it regrettable that the council should liavo been approached for tho/remission. Coming down to a fine point, ho considered it would bo exploiting tho poor peoplo if the council granted tho request. ■ One bright featuro of tho Sports Protection Leaguo's letter was the pleasing recognition of work done in past ycara. Mr. Lnko received this with a deal of satisfaction, becaiiso he thought tho work reflected ereat credit on present and past councils.'