THE SPORTS GROUND LEASE

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 380, 4 May 1910, Page 2

THE SPORTS GROUND LEASE

PARK BOARD AND ITS '•RIGHTS." IS IT A CENSURE?

The Recreation Sports Ground and its management formed the subject of a very lengthy discussion at Monday night's meeting of the Recreation Grounds Board. In accordance with notice given, Mr. Corkill moved: "That this Board strongly disapproves of the action of the management of the 'Besses o' th' Barn Band' in advertising an adI mittance fee of one shilling on the occasion of the recent concert and then exacting a further sum of sixpence for entrance up on the terraces." In speakj ing to his motion, Mr. Corkill said he himself had not attended the open-air | concert that afternoon, a fact which he very much regretted. Had he been j there he would doubtless have said something. He would doubtless have suggested to the public to ignore the collection of the extra charge, and take possession of the seats on the terraces. He understood that the members of the Recreation Grounds Committee felt as he did on this matter, and were very sore about it, for this charge had been made without their knowledge or consent, and they would not have allowed the grounds to be used on such terms. But they could not get away from me fact that this Board was the freeholder, and the grounds were vested in them. They had to conserve the rights and privileges of the .pubiic. The Act vesting the grounds in the Board gave them power to lease portion of the property. They had leased the sports ground to the Recreation Sports Ground Committee for seven years, with the right of renewal for a further seven years. As a •result of his perusal of the lease he had come to the conclusion that the Board hud been remiss in not taking more cure to see that the conditions of the lease were strictly observed. The lessees had certain rights, but they had done things which they had no right to do. From clause 10 of tile lease it was plain that the Committee had no right to delegate any of its powers to anyone else for a day, for an evening, or for an afternoon. That was bis opinion, but to the leffal mind it might read differently. The Committee had given those rights to the Besses o' th' Barn Band that day. The Band had controlled the gates, and everything else. The Band had been placed in a corner of the grounds, so that ipeople had to go on the terraces if they desired to hear the music, and had to pay this sixpence in addition to the shilling they had already paid. The Board must see that the rights of the public were safeguarded, and all these applications for entertainments held outside the management of the Committee should be submitted to the Board for its approval. Mr. Tisch seconded, saying that he had been one of the "victims"."

The motion was carried. Mr. Corkill then moved: ''That "the attention of the Sports Ground Committee be called to clause 10 of the lease under which the ground is held, viz., 'No assignment or transfer . : . . of the rights and privileges hereby in-' tended to be conferred shall be made by the Sports Committee except with the previous consent in writing of the Board, and the decision of the Board in this respect shall be final,' and its strict observance, requested." He emphasised that the Board must be consulted if they proposed to farm the "round at all. Mr. Tisch objected to the motion being general. Mr. Tribe said that the Boayd must try not to liampeT the Committee, but to help them. Mr. Cock thought it unwise, to make too many restrictions. Mr. Corkill pointed out that according to the terms of the lease the Sports Ground Committee had "exclusive rteht and management.." but they had let the '"Besses" manage the grounds. After an irregular discussion, Mr. Cock said it seemed that the Committee must apply for permission before they could sub-let to anyone. _ Mr. Hughes said that the position desired to be taKen up might prove untenable. The secretary supposed that if the Committee wanted to let the grounds to, say, the Taranaki Rugby Union, it •would be his business, upon receipt of application, to find out what, was proposed to be charged, and so on. Mr. Corkill: But it is not,.likely that i they will come to you for the Rugby Union.

Mr. Tribe: Why? • •„ . Mr. Corkill: Because the,. Committee itself manages all the Rugby , Union matches . Mr. Tribe: I think not. Mr. Corkill said he was nosjtive on the point. And if the Taranaki' Rugby Union desired to have a fixture under the control of the Recreation Sports Ground as in the past, then no permission would be needed. The motion was carried, as was a "rider," moved by Mr. Govctt, that the resolution was not intended ,to> interfere with any sports or entertainments managed by 'the Sports Committee ' themselves. It was also agreed that applications should come before the Board at its monthly meetings, and a committee, comprising the chairman, the Mayor, and one member, was set up to deal with applications that could not conveniently wait for the monthly meetings. Mr. Corkill then moved: ''That the Board affirms 'the principle that for ordinary sports meetings and entertainments the charge for admittance should be limited to one shilling for adults and sixpence for children, and that in no case should there be an additional sum for the ordinary seating accommodation provided on the terraces." He remarked that terraces and seats had been placed around the sports ground by the Board, and he could not see why the people should be deprived of the use of those seats on any account. He had no objection to extra, charges for extra seating accommodation. In answer to Mr. Bellringer, who suggested that the Board might be told to "mind its own business," Mr. Corkill said this was merely an expression of opinion. The Board could not enforce it. He was sure that the members of the Committee, as sensible men, would not take umbrage.

Mr. G'ovett considered that this motion was unnecessary, and as it was not seconded, the motion was with-1 drawn. J ________ I