SPORTS BODIES BENEFIT

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 424, 4 August 1928, Page 11

SPORTS BODIES BENEFIT

RESERVES AND DOMAINS REVISION OF LAWS (THE SUN'S Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, To-day. Practical concessions to sports bodies are a feature of the Public Domains, Reserves and National Parks Bill, introduced by Governor-General's message last ev.ening. The Bill is a complete revision of all the existing lav/s covering public domains, though there is a special provision to exclude its application to Tongariro, Egmont, or Peel Forest national parks. Originally only consolidation of the existing laws was contemplated, but it was found that to bring the law up tb date a complete revision would be necessary, hence the comprehensive nature of the Bill. Sports bodies will benefit through provision for giving them a better tenure of reserves, by allowing the controlling authorities to conclude agreements for their use for a specified number of days each year. These agreements may extend for a maximum peri.od of five years. If the Bill is passed wider powers to permit sports bodies to erect gymnasia and other buildings will be conferred on authorities. Another clause directed toward the full enjoyment of reserves empowers authorities to set apart areas for baths, camp sites and parking places, and to charge fees approved by the Minister for the use of these facilities. For offences in public domains, the maximum penalty is raised from £2O to £ 50, or three months’ imprisonment. Revocation of title is authorised where trustees are proved guilty of a breach of trust, while the classification and administration of reserves is generally clarified.