A REPLY TO FOXTON.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3683, 27 August 1927, Page 3

A REPLY TO FOXTON.

CONCERNING FOOTBALL GROUNDS. i The dissatisfaction of Foxton at the transfer of the recent Horowhe-nua-Oroua Rugby match to a Levin ground was again before the Horowihenua District Council’s management committee on Tuesday, when Mr.' J.-W., Rimmer (treasurer) referred to remarks made in this connection at the special meeting of the committee of the Foxton Football Club last Thursday evening. A certain statement had been made by Mr. W. Neville (a delegate to the Council’s management committee, but not present at Tuesday’s meeting, when there was no representation of Foxton). Mr. Rimmer said • he did not think that Mr. -Neville really meant to convey a wrong impression ; still, as a result of his not saying quite as much as he ought to. have done, he did not present the correct position. Mi’. Rimmer thought that, as a result of the vague statement that Mr Neville made, he enabled Foxton —and rightly — to have a “sqeal” at this Council. Mr. Rimmer went on to say that the amount of money spent on the Levin Domain by this Council has been a grand total of £1 17s 6d. Why did this Council spend that? As a matter of fact, we had a fence put down and re-erected year after year; and that ground we could never really claim as our own. We are not squealing about that. The club have said nothing whatever to me about the question, but I ■ arn raising this purely from the standpoint that I think this Council has not been treated right by our delegates in Foxton. Wanderers have put the ground in order year after year. Last year we had that fence * broken down as a result of the crowd it had to hold back. Wanderers got tired of spending money. Money was not so plentiful last season; but that would not have worried them but for the fact that the ground was being used by Weraroa and County. The expense of maintaining that ground was not based on the expenditure that would keep the ground for rep. games. Wanderers had a right to question that heavy expenditure that they were placed against with regard to that ground, and I don’t think that Foxton, or any other part of the district, has a squeal. W!hat Wanderers asked for was that the expenditure be borne equally by the three clubs. If the delegates at Foxton had explained that position clearly, I am satisfied that the Foxton people are sufficiently sane to recognise that the Wanderers had at least some grounds for a complaint. I don’t think that any grounds in the district were placed in the same unfortunate circumstances as those used by ‘Wanderers.” The Chairman: I think/this was fully discussed in committee here, and it was resolved that the Union spend this money under the circumstances that the ground was taxed and 'that it should not be made a precedent for other clubs claiming on it. It is a pity that these facts were not made, known to the public at the Foxton meeting. Mr. Robson (Miranui): I don’t think any one could say but what this Council gave Foxton delegates every opportunity to do something, but they seemed simply not to want the game there. The* secretary: It was decided that the Council erect a fence at the Domain, on Mr. Robinson’s motion. Mr. Rimmer: That is a Foxton delegate. The chairman: Awahou. After further discussion it was pointed out that the expenditure was not incurred for a rep. match but on a ground that was in use year after year and that the fencing material/ for the work was donated. A lengthly discussion then ensued as to whether Forton should be allowed to air grievances at a special meeting of delegates or whether the Council should hear them. It was pointed out that as the busiuess to be dealt with included general, the Foxton delegates could speak on the question.

Last evening the much-discussed Ranfurly Shield arrived in Palmerston North arid is safely lodged with the secretary of the Manawhenua Union (Mr. C. D. Fraser). The Shield will be taken to the station this evening to meet the men who won it on their return from Wellington.

Mr. Fitzgerald, of Bainesse, visited Foxton yesterday for the purpose of making arrangements for matches between Huia and Foxton Club Juniors and Thirds, to be played on the racecourse next Saturday. It was decided that, if possible, the Thirds play a “curtainraiser” for the Junior game.

The Manawhenua and Wellington Rugby representatives try conclusions at Wellington to-day. The general opinion is that Wellington will win by a fair margin.' Next Wednesday, at Palmerston, Manawibenua will defend, the Ranfurly Shield against Taranaki.