Hard Blow For Hockey Association

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 194, 5 November 1927, Page 13

Hard Blow For Hockey Association

LEASE OF REMUERA GROUNDS 1 NOTICE OF TERMINATION I The Dilworth Trust Board has decided to terminate as from October 31 next the lease of the Remuera recreation ground, held by the Auckland Hockey Association. IT appears that both the Hockey Association and the Football Association are now in the same box. Both are faced with difficulty over their respective playing areas, but the position of the hockey authorities seems to be more serious and is causing grave concern. The following letter from the Board was received by the Auckland Hocey Association. — “The matter of the use of the recreation ground at Remuera has been under consideration by the board, and it has been decided to invite tenders from various bodies interested in recreation for the use of the land for a lengthy period of years. Under the circumstances, therefore, I am directed to give you 12 months’ notice, as from October 31 last, to terminate your tenancy. Luring the year the board will take steps to invite the tenders as above, and, of course, you will be at liberty, should you so desire, to forward your own proposals and tender. A schedule of conditions and terms of lease will be prepared, and supplied to all applicants.” It is understood that the action of the board is dictated by the fact that it desires to make the best use of the ground for recreation purposes, and that it feels that it could be used to better advantage. Hockey officials have said that although the notice of the termination of the lease has not been totally unexpected, it had come as a hard blow to the association, which has had control of the ground for about 20 years, and has had a reputation for the sportsmanship of its teams, and the way in which the competitions have been conducted. Hundreds of pounds have been spent by the association in improvements.