BIDDING FOR GROUNDS
TWO RIVAL SPORTS. LEAGUE & RUGBY AT PETONEi All animated discussion took place at tho meeting of the Petono Borough Council last evolving when tenders from sports bodies for tire use of the recrea* lion ground were being considered. The Wellington Rugby Union offered to lease grounds Nos. 1, 2, and 3 for three years at a rental equivalent to G5 per cent, of the gate takings, tho union retaining the other 3-3 per cent. 'J'be same body offered a 75 per cent, rental retaining 25 per rent, lor a period of five years. A chequo for £10 accompanied the tender; The Wellington Rugby Football League made an offer for the us<> of Nos. 1, 2, and 3 grounds for three years, their figure being £150. .For a period of fivo years they were prepared to offer 10 per ccnt. of takings on all clip matches, and suggested that special arrangements bo made regarding representative matches. A cheque for 1;150 accompanied tho tender. For tlw information of councillors tho clerk read the following returns from football matches: —For 19'08 the council's portion of the gate was £55 ss. 3d.; in 1909, £(M 2s. ad.; in 1011, £06 45.; in 101l>, £93 1&. Id.; in 1913, £79 18s. lOd.
Councillor Fmdlay ; moved: "That tho League's tender of £100 per annum for three years be accepted." Councillor List moved as an amendment: "That negotiations bo opened up with the Rugby Union with a view of accepting their offer for live years." Councillor Townsend thought, that, as the returns showed that tho council's share of gate takings have never approached £150, and that in the absence of any guarantee, that in future it ever would, lie would vote for tho League's tender. The Mayor asked councillors to remember the effect (assuming that tho League's tendc-r were accepted) which the change would have oil the local foothall club. Councillor List: It would kill it! Continuing, the Mayor pointed out that the result would bo that, every Saturday, their senior players would bo sent away, and their supporters would follow thorn. The attendances at interclub League matches had been very poor, and ho did not think a representative) match would over ho played at Petono. There was more chance of a Rugby representative match being .play* ed there. He contended that no councillor could ignore the old eluh with its memories and its prowess. Councillor Anderson reminded the Mayor that, lately, tho council had thought of selling (lowers to obtain revonup, but now His Worship wished to turn down the League's offer. Councillor List remarked that tho Petone Football Club had practically formed and made the grounds, had turned out some splendid athletes, and the e:ect of the League getting the grounds would ho that this game would bo "killed"—a game that tho children were taught at school. The council should not turn the okl club down for s "mushroom" club. Councillor Cox favoured the? Rugby Union's offer because, ill the event of the League game proving a failure, he doubted if they could set £50' for tlw ground. He did not like the idea of Petone citizens deserting the town on football days. There wore railway fares, trains, and meals., and by keeping the people at home tho town would benefit financially. . Councillor Brocklohank also supported the Rugby Union's tender. •i„ Tlift Mayor .remarked that on (Wipes? centage basis' the tenderer must guarantee, £100 per year.
In .answer to a question His Worship replied that, the money for the remaininn two .voars for the League would bo forthcoming, two gcntleiaeu having hecome guarantors.
Councillor List's amendment in favour of the Rugby Union was lost by four votes to G. '
A further amendment was, however, carried. Councillor.Cox moved: "That the matter lie held over and that tlie local football club be asked to tender 011 a lump sum basis for the year." This was agreed to by 6 votes to i.
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Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1968, 27 January 1914, Page 6
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658BIDDING FOR GROUNDS Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1968, 27 January 1914, Page 6
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