LOWER HUTT RECREATION GROUND

Evening Post, Volume CXVI, Issue 61, 13 March 1934, Page 6

LOWER HUTT RECREATION GROUND

(To the Editor.) , Sir,—lt is not the policy of the Wellington Rugby Union to engage in local politics. However statements made by your correspondent, Mr. J.'Macdonald, call for a reply. . - Your correspondent quoting from the annual report refers to the fact that the union did not meet its instalments on loans from the New Zealandj Union. He omits a reference to the preceding - sentence in which it is stated that the union paid £495 sin reduction-of :its first mortgage, and reduced its 6yer.dra.ft3y £500; or to a: later, paragraph showing £362 given for charitable purposes. The further clause quoted from the, report stating that finances "will require careful attention is a warning that hasj I think, appeared in' National Budget,-local body, and company reports as well as annual reports of sports bodies, and,the Wellington Union for several years mow. ■ In any case the~ financial 'arrangement between /the New Zealand and Wellington Unions is a domestic matter and not the concern of the Hutt ratepayers. I could point out that £200 of; the -instalments referred to arc-in connection'with loans granted by^the .New Zealand'"Union, so that the Wellington Union could purc"hase arid' provide grounds for Hutt Valley flayers at Strand Park and Taita and complete the Hutt Rugby gymnasium. 'The total cost todtheJunion'was £3942 of which all but £950 due to'the New- Zealand Union has been paid since 1924 in additionHto "rates arid^inamtenahce of the grounds.' V . ';. >?■ V"v-v* •■"'■*-- So far as the Hutt Recreation .Ground-is concerned the ratepayers ofvthe^Hutt'need have no feai th; '• the union;-will/fail to keep its undertakings.-^-I am,"etc.', :-

J. PBENDEVILLE,