A CENTRAL FOOTBALL GROUND

Shannon News, 18 October 1929, Page 3

A CENTRAL FOOTBALL GROUND

SUGGESTION AT RUGBY MANAGE MENT COMMITTEE'S MEETING.

ALTERNATIVE TO TENANCY ON PERCENTAGE BASIS.

A suggestion for the establishment

of an independent sportsground in a

central part of the Ilorowhenua Rugby District Council’s area was well supported at the meeting of the management committee on Tuesday evening. This idea appeared to be the -outcome of unsuccessful representations to the Levin Borough Council for a rebate o* the rent or the Park Domain. No formal proposal for a separate ground was tabled, a less drastic resolution being carried, in the form of a remit for the annual meeting, to the effect that an offer be made to the four Borough Councils in the district on the basis of 10 per cent, of the gate takings, for the use of their grounds for the 1930 season.

Advice was received from the Town Clerk, Lovini, that the Borough ..Council had decided that they could not accede to the request for a remission of £lO on the season's rent of the Park Domain, amounting to £2O, The Chairman (Mr W. Hannan) remarked that the Rugby Council would have to reconsider the position next year. He thought they should concentrate on getting a hold on a ground. If ihey had a ground, properly fenced, he thoughts that their money difficulties would probably be at an end. Mr «T. Casey (secretary) said that they should keep in view the acquisition of a ground in Levin, as .being the centre of the district.. They could fence it and would then have no more trouble in collecting the gate money, as there would be only one entrance. This Council should conserve its money and put it into some kind of work that would be tangible. The few pounds which it had accumulated could be whittled away in twelve months if a new committee came in; but if this body left a ground behind it/ the members would feel that they had done some good.

Mr F. Meyers (Waikanae) said that Mr Casey’s suggestion in regard to use of the funds was a very commendable one. If it were brought to pass, it would mean that the Council would always have an asset —and something that would be really worth while, and an insurance against the Council even getting into debt. Mr A. Richards (Shannon) said ho thought it . would be a step in the right direction. It had cost this Council £29 altogether for the use of the Park Domain during the past season. If the difficulties regarding the financing of a new ground in Levin could be overcome, it would be a step in the right direction. "If the gate receipts increased, under the present system, the rentals would go up too. He noticed that the Manawatu Rugby Council had acquired a ground in Palmerston, and that was going to be a big asset to them in- years to come. The amount now paid'in rent by this Council could be set aside towards the purchase of a ground. The Chairman said that the only remit he would like to go to the annual meeting on this subject would be that this Council offer the Borough Councils 10 per cent, of the gate moneys in the ensuing year. If the munieipaflities refused this offer, then the Council should look round for some other grounds. At present this Council was only working for the Borough Councils throughout its area. It was putting in a.lot of work and not getting the right results for it, because right through the area the ground rentals were too high.

-Mr Meyers: Too high as compare.) with the attendance.

Mr Richards moved that it bo a recommendation to the incoming committee that for next season they offer 10 per cenS. of the gate takings to the Levin, Shannon. Foxton and Otaki Borough Councils for the use of their grounds. Mr M. G. McLean (Paraparaumu) seconded the motion.

Mr W. S. Heyes .(Foxton): Suppose that iu some of these places it is impossible to get a ground —how are you going to get on? Once this is passed by the annual meeting, you cannot al ter it. It might place some of the clubs in an awkward position. The Chairman: Necessity is the mother of inventiorf, and if any of the Borough Councils refuse it, it will make you look somewhere else. We can get other grounds in every town where wc are dealing with Borough Councils. I don’t think that trouble will eventuate next season, anyway; and I would like to see it tried out next season.

Mr Casey remarked that in one case a ‘ lady gave the use of a ground to the Council every year; he referred to Mrs Prouse, of Levin. The ? Chairman: You only want one or two like that to look at things in the right spirit, and we will get along without the Borough Councils. The motion was carried.