SUNDAY GAMES.

Taranaki Daily News, 11 December 1919, Page 5

SUNDAY GAMES.

A QUESTION OP PRINCIPLE. Some discussion, took place at the I meeting of the Taranaki Education Board yesterday regarding Sunday play on tennis courts in school grounds. The question arose from an application made by the Otakeho Tennis Club for permission to be allowed to play on the court on Sunday. The application pointed out that, being a country district, many of the members found it impossible to get away from work during the week. If permission were granted the club would make rules restricting play to certain hours when no service was being held in the church. Mr. Eaves pointed out that the court,. which was of concrete with a coating of asphalt, had been erected and paid for by the tennis club. Mr. Grayling moved that the request he not granted. This was seconded by Mr. White. Mr. Eaves said he could see no harm in granting the request and moved as an amendment that the Board would not raise any objection provided permission was obtained from the school committee. Mr. Hoskin seconded. Mr. Smith said that this opened up a big question. Mr. Eaves said that if it caused any trouble, the playing would be discontinued. Mr. Smith said that he did not object to any one playing tennis on Sunday if they so desired, but. they, as members of the Taranaki Education Board, had to be very careful in the lead they gave, and also in the example set before children. Mr. Masters said he must oppose granting permission. He did not mind tennis being played on Sundays, but as chairman of a public body he would not give permission for tennis to be played on ground they held in trust for the public. The principle was wrongMr. Trimble said that a high authority had said the Sabbath Day was made for man. If these people wished to play tennis, they had a right to do so. They were not breaking the law or the rules of conduct, and they were y.ol necessarily wicked for playing on Sunday.

Mr. Eaves pointed out that this was the only tennis court in the district, Mr. White pointed out that he was not a strict Sabbatharian, but as trustees of a public ground he did not think they should give permission for the ground to be ti3ed by one section to the offence of other sections, The amendment was lost, and the motion carried on the casting vote of the chairman, the division list being for permission: Messrs. Trimble, Eaves, Hoskin, and Lees; against, Messrs. Smith, , Grayling, White, and Hasten.