RUGBY AND THE WAR

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3121, 27 June 1917, Page 6

RUGBY AND THE WAR

ATHLETIC PARK

EFFORT TO SAVE THE GROUND

While thousands of littgby footballers are serving in the war, Athletic Park, tho chief Wellington ground, -stands a chance of being lost to Hugby, because the Wellington Union is not financially strong enough to hold it. As an effort to save the ground lor JJugb.V, the union lias launched a scheme which was explained at a general meeting of the union held last evening. . Mr. D. I). Weir, who presided, said that'the executive had decided to ask tho public to assist in helping them to retain -Athletic Park for Pugby. the idea decided on was to sell tickets at Ills, each. For this ticket a buyer wouM get a direct return, and would have the satisfaction of knowing he was doing ; something for the Rugby men who wero ! awav at the front, and unable to raise a, hand to save their ground. On March 31 next year the total money owing would be'within a few pounds of 23000. Thi* included .BHuO borrowed from tho New Zealand "Onion. If half the money was raised this year, tho Park would be saved Tf tho monev was not forthcoming the Park would be lost to the Kugoy plavcrs. He did not think the people of 'Wellington would let the Park go; he thought, the public would recognise tho duty thev owed to the boys at the front Tho" executive of the union thought tho ticket schemo a good one, but were not bound down to that alone, and would ho glad to hear of any other

good idea. Mr. A. Wiron said that an effort should lie made, to save tho Park but it would not do for a few to undertake •ill tho work. Everyone, must nelj) it

the schemo was to be a success. Tho chairman: Tt is going to boa big thing, and we. want everyone s help. It was decided that the union should meet onco a week in connection with tho scheme. . ... t>,. It was decided'that tie chairman, T) Newman, M.P.. T>r. M'Evcdv, and the union vice-presidents ,should approach tho Sports Protection League on the mat-

It. was mentioned that Dr. M'fcvcdy had offered to assist the scheme, and had said he would bo prepared to give nve guineas a rear to the fund. Mr. S. Wright has undertaken the secretarial work. i„„ P (. All decided In do their utmost to make the scheme a big success. The ticket to bo sold contains an appeal, which runs in the following words: "The Wellington Rugby Football Union appeal to all old players, supporters, and friends of tho game to assist, them to retain Athletic Park for Kngbr football until such time as our boys'return from tho front. "More than 1500 of our players and club raombers have answered the call to arms, and their absence, combined with the cll'eet of the war, has reduced our income to practically nothing, while our yearly expenditure foi> rent, rates, and interest is over JJ6OO. . „ •'Athletic Park is vested in thrco trustees, viz., Dr. A. K. Kowman, M.P.. and Messrs. G. F. C. Campbell, and Edgar Wyhe, whose business standing and well-known interest in tho game are sufficient guarantee that our funds are rigidly conserved with tho one object, i.e.—to save Athletic Park for Rugby football. All work in connection with the Park is performed by members of the Management Committee, who give their services solely for the love of the game. "We earnestly ask you to lend a hand now, so that Athletic Park will be a Rugby ground when our footballers Tetiirn after ••having fought for their King and country."