COST OF FOOTBALL.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 August 1922, Page 4

COST OF FOOTBALL.

CHARGES TO THE PUBLIC. What might be termed the case for the defence was stated by Mr. F. G. Ferry at last nights referees’ smoke concert, when speaking in reference to the prices charged for admission to football matches at Pukekura Park. The speaker said Taranaki “sports” paid a bigger price than was paid anywhere else in the Dominion, but it must be recognised that the Taranaki Rugby Union had “a big hurdle to face,” for the district was such a big one„ and teams sometimes came sixty and seventy miles to play matches at New Plymouth. Last season the Rugby Union had pdid out over £lOOO, which was 50 per cent, of the teams’ travelling expenses. Thus, if prices for admission were cut down the public must realise that the players, who in the aggregate paid £lOOO yearly in expenses, would have to pay still more out of their own pockets. Again, 10 per cent, of the revenue from club matches and 15 per cent, from representative matches went to the Sports Ground Committee, who had been doing splendid work at the park, whereas this source of revenue would be considerably lessened if admission charges were lowered. Mr. Ferry mentioned that it would cost £BOO to send the Taranaki team away, but this revenue would be recovered, when touring teams came here next year.

Later in the evening the chairman (Mr. E. Jaekson) referred to the question, and expressed the opinion that the Taraßfliki Rugby Union should take the public more into their confidence by publishing their annual balance-sheet. Then the public would be more satisfied. (Hear, hear.)