USE OF PARK OVAL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 22 October 1941, Page 5

USE OF PARK OVAL

PERAHSSION TO CHARGE ON SUNDAY REFUSED BY BOROUGH COUNCIL. APPLICATION BY INTERHOUSE ASSOCIATION. Considerable discussion arose at last night’s meeting of the Masterton Borough Council upon a recommendation of the Park Committee that the Wairarapa Interhouse Association be refused permission to levy charges for admission to the Park Oval on Sunday, November 23, for a drill and marching display by the interhouse girls in conjunction with the visit of the Trentham Military Band. A motion moved by Councillor H. E. Gardner that the committee’s decision be rescinded was lost. Councillor Gardner said he considered the committee had made a hard decision. His contention was that the display to be given would be the same as that given by the Air Force Band last March for patriotic funds. In reply to Mr Jordan, Councillor Gardner said that a look at the association’s balance sheet alone warranted the application being granted. It had given away practically all its funds to the patriotic fund. It could not carry on unless it had its own funds. It was an asset to the town. As far as Sunday activities were concerned bowling and tennis went on on Sundays in the Park, and the boats were hired out. He considered that an objection to a band concert on a Sunday would be “wowserism extraordinary” on the council’s part. He moved that the clause in the committee’s report be deleted and that permission be granted. Councillor C. E. Grey seconded the motion. Councillor R. Russell, a member of the Park Committee, said he had voted against the park being used for the reason that he had received objections from ratepayers about having to pay to go into the Park on the only day of the week they had free. “I am full of admiration for the Interhouse Association; but I am not in favour of debarring the public from the Park on Saturday and the day following. I would be in favour if the association could fix another day later,” said Councillor W. White. Councillor J. Ninnes said he objected to the charge being made but he would not be opposed to a collection. “I think that the arguments put forward by Councillors White and Russell are very weak,” said Councillor Grey. “It may be the only Sunday in the year that a charge would be made. After all the association has done for us it is only fair and just to let them make a charge.” Councillor A. D. Low said he was in favour of the Park being made available. Only a small section of the public used the Park on a Sunday. “I have been called a wowser before and I don’t mind being called one now,” said Councillor G. D. Wilson. He considered it a great pity that any Sunday activities were allowed in the first place. He was strongly opposed to it and would try to prevent any increase of the practice. He believed it was bad for the community and contributed to the weakening of its moral fibre to the extent to which Sunday was being turned into a day of recreation. ~ . , Councillor W. H. Judd: “I think Councillor Wilson is absolutely right. Councillor Gardner: “I did not say vou were a wowser, Councillor Wilson.” , * ~ The motion was put to the meeting and declared lost. A resolution was passed which provided for the association _ using the Park on the understanding that a collection could be made half a chain from the Park gates.