DOMAIN BOARD

Opotiki News, Volume II, Issue 144, 10 February 1939, Page 3

DOMAIN BOARD

CHARGES FOR FOOTBALL SPECIAL MEETING HELD A special meeting of the Opotiki Domain Board was held on Tuesday night to meet- -Messrs. G. 'AYbod (chairman) and F. Chapman (secretary) representatives of the Opotiki Rugby Union in connection with charges made to. the Union for the use of the reserve last playing seas-

Alr. Wood stated that the members of the Rugby Union were not aware of the charge of 15s said to have been fixed at a conference with the council. The minutes ■ had been searched but there was no record of the arrangement. A Hr. F. J. Short said that although the upkeep for football in the winter was light- it had to be remembered that if tiie ground had not received extra attention in the summer for other sports, the winter upkeep would be heavier. The Rugby Union had the right to charge each playing Saturday for several months without any restrictions. The cost ol upkeep last year was £175. Air. Wood pointed out that the Union bad paid for the marking of the ground each Saturday, and with tin 1 payment.- of gatekeepers added, the charges exceeded the takings on some days. Air. Short considered that, players did not support football as they should. They expected everything to he provided for them. it seemed • the Bugbv Union should make players contribute a little mere than they wen* doing. Mr. A. G. Stevenson said that in small places it was hard to keep teams together. He thought the Council should help and sports hollies should help also. Tin* Bugby lnion. was apparently having a harder time than the other sports bodies in making tilings pay. All. 'l'. G. Johnson said the Domain Hoard had to remember the little tag on the balance-sheet-. Jhe council had spent- a lot of money on the reserve. They were taking money away from other reservt .< to put it on the sports reserve. Air. G. L. Day referred to the manner in which the members of the Rod and Gun Club had voluntarily carried out work. He thought the .Rugby Union should help themselves a lit-tle more.

Mr. Stevenson pointer! out- that Domain inniiev could not be spinit on borough works. Mr. |j||i)husnn reminded the deputation tlure-the sports bodies had agreed to nnike good the loss of rentid. Mr. Wood said lie appreciated what had been done by the Domain Board. The ground was in wonderful order at- the present time . Mr. Short suggested the matter be deferred for a month to enable the Union representative's to meet other sports bodies and discuss the position. 'lhe motion was seconded by Mr. Day. Mr. Wood pointed out that the jUuimn would probably* lose on the season without the payment for tins use of the sports ground. On belong put to the meeting the motion was carried. Mr. Wood thanked the Board for the sympathetic hearing and the deputation then retired.