GROUNDS FOR REP. GAMES

Shannon News, 16 August 1927, Page 3

GROUNDS FOR REP. GAMES

FOXTON DISAPPOINTED. CHAMBER OF COAIAIERCE PROTESTS. ' • Much dissatisfaction .exists in Foxton as a result of tlie Bebbington Shield match having been transferred to a Levin ground and a public meeting is to be called to consider a proposaj that the district seek to be taken into the Manawatu Union. At Thursday night’s meeting of the Foxton Chamber of Commerce, the action of local delegates to the Horowhenua Rugby Union in urging a change of venue from Foxton to Levin for the match against Oroua was severely criticised by members. MT. Osborne said that Easton Park was central, and if matches were played there, it brought numbers of people into the town and as a result business people benefitted. Air. Desmond said that representative football had been played in the Park and no difficulty had been experienced in keeping the spectators off the playing area. The president (Mr J. K. Hornblow) said that it was perhaps a little unusual for the Chamber to discuss football matters, but members were within their rights in discussing any subject which affected the business of the community . A member: The Palmerston North Chamber of Commerce discussed football affairs and gave assistance to allow men to go into training for rep. matches. They recognised that such an attraction, benefitted the town.

It was asked why the Union after fixing a representative match for Foxton had changed the venue to Levin? The secretary (Air. R. Hornblow) explained that the union was not to blame in the matter. That body was nulling that the match should be played locally, but the local delegates to the union had stated that there were no fences to keep the crowd off the playing area. A member: That could easily have been arranged. The secretary, continuing, said that lie did not think Easton Park would lie satisfactory as an interclub playing area as only one game could be played there, whereas three games could be played simultaneously at the racecourse and two grounds would not be in the best interests of players or the public. Easton Park would be quite suitable for a representative game. Affer further discussion the follow-ing-resolution, moved by Air. Osborne and seconded by Mr. Desmond, was (allied unanimously: That this Chamber expresses dissatisfaction with the action of the Fdxton delegates to the Horowhenua Union in allowing the Bebbington Shield match to be played at Levin- instead of Foxton.