GROUND CHARGES.

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 412, 20 April 1937, Page 4

GROUND CHARGES.

FOOTBALL MATCHES. j Deputation From Rugby Union. I ' I I Wiitli th? object of arriving at an agreement concerning the charges I for the Victoria Park lootball ground, j 1 deputation from the Taranaki Rugby Union., comprising Hon. J. McLeod, M.L.C., chairman of the management committee, Hon. R. Masters, M.L.C., and Messrs F. J. Nolan, and W. G. Watts (secretary),'waited upon the Stratford Borough Council last night. Mr McLeod explained that a difference of opinion had arisen concerning the grandstand charges owing to unfortunate misunderstanding on the I union’s part. Accordingly, they would j wi.hdraw anything that had been said I last year. However, the union thought ! that perhaps a more equitable ar- | rangement might be made. So far as | ground rental was concerned, there [ was no difference of opinion. I “We fell that the basis of tho | charges for other grounds was most satisfactory to the union and to those controlling the ground,’ said Mr Masters. Not Antagonistic. “I have been accused of being antagonistic to the union, but I can assure you that that is not so,” said Mr f. W. McMillan. H? pointed out that lie had beqn instrumental in providing the union with a first-class ground. However, it was necessary to consider the interests of ratepayers. Financiallly, tho council) would not lose anything in not having Rugby on the park, but at the same time they would not like to see it go. In 1936 the expenditure was £43 14s [or marking the grounds and shifting the goal posta, and the receipts | were £44 10s. In 1935 the receipts were £44 7s 4d. It appeared that so far as int: r.provineial ma'ches were concerned, Stratford had been neglected, and according to figures not a great deal could be expected from club football. Mr McLeod said Stratford had bren unfortunate with the weather conditions for representative games. Prospects for football were very promising this season, and a griater revenae could be expec ed. The Saturday holi. day had altered the situation. In thanking the deputation, Mr McMillan said they could rest assured that there; Was no an'agonitm. Division of Receip's. At present all the grandstand charges were taken by the council except for repres ntative matches, when they were divided on a 50-50 basis. Mr McMillan stated in answer to Cr. C. Speck. It seemed an extraordinary thing that the exp nditure could come to nearly £3 a week, said Cr. Gordon. The Town Clerk, Mr G. Grace, said (hat in the past the grounds had to be marked twice a week. On the motion of Cr. Gordon, it was resolved that the Union pay 12J per cent of the grandstand and g.-> es ; takings, end that the Union be charged for the cost of labour and materials, marking grounds and shifting posts, or alternatively that the Union arrange to do the work. ‘‘What revenue have we derived from the Athletic Club or Cricket Club?” asked Cr. Harkness. “Why saddle the Rugby Union with all the i cost?” | ‘‘lt is not a question of saddling the I Rugby Union with the costs; it is a question of getting a fair share of their profits,” Mr McMillan replied.