SUNDAY TENNIS.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume LIII, Issue 5532, 27 September 1929, Page 2

SUNDAY TENNIS.

REFUSED BY COUNCIL

At Wednesday's mseting of the Akaroa Borough Council Councillor Wright moved the notice of motion standing in his name that '.he motion passed on 7 April, lf-2G closing the tennis courts for play on Sunday be rescinded. He could' not see any harm in a game of tennis. People could play golf on Sunday and take part in other pastimes. He had seen tennis played in very conspicuous places and could see no harm always provided th'e game was not played in church time. Cr Leete seconded 1 the motion. Cr Mas&field said if they were goring to allow tennis to be played on Sunday they did not know where it would lead to. It was the thin edge of the wedge. No other gams'was played in Akaroa Borough on Sunday. If they allowed tennis, competitions would l start and they would have football next. As for the statement that certain people had not time for games during th'e week it was all tripe. They had half an hour's extra light with the Daylight Saving Bill. If they chose to get up earlier in the 1 morning they could have games before going to work. They had Saturday afternoon which meant about six hours. If they could ,nO't get enough time in the week it was due to lack of interest i'n making the time and they did not want to drag Sunday in also. Cr MeCaugfoan said the Council should be careful what they did in this matter as'they rwght be acting beyond their powers. He considered! the question of Sunday tennis did not come within their jurisdiction.

The; Mayor sard he had been talking over the matter with a Christchurch man who was a keen sport and he said that Sunday tennis had been & bad thing im Ohristchurch. It appeared to hiim. that Sunday 'tennis did no: harm. They had ,been playing in the Domain, for and he did not see why they should, not play en the other .courts aS long- as .they played only from 112 to 5 p.m. and l no competitions were allowed. He would not, take any side as he did not like giving aj casting vote, but he considered young people were sometimes far better playing tennis than passing their time in other ways on ""Sundays.

Cr Taylor said he was prepared to support Sunday play between 12 and 5 p.m. and no matches. He objected to any play on Good -Friday. This was a matter that should rest with the individual's 1 conscience and he favoured a trial of Sunday tennis.

Cr :Munro said if they carried the motion that night he would move that the Council's courts be closed altogether.

Cr Williams said he objected to Sunday te'nnis. He had done a; great deal for sport in Akaroa but he could not favour Sunday play.

Cr Pool 1 said 1 a pleasant quiet game of tennis did no harm, but it would, lead' to cricket and football. It was a poor edification for growing children to see games played on Sunday.

Cr Morcom objected to games on Sunday as it was a day of rest. He also considered it was a bad. example for growing children.

Tn answer to Cr Morcom the Clerk said there was nothing in the agreement betwc-en the Council and tho Akaroa Lawn Tennis Club prohibiting play on Sunday. It was only a motion passed at the Council: table.

Cr iMasefield said with regard l to keeping visitors oil' the courts he often went past in the mornings in week days and there was never any play from 9a .m. to 12. In the v ftemoons everyone- wen t down. If they wanted more play why should they not play in the mornings ? Cr Wright's motion- was lost by 5 to 4, the voting being as follows For the motion (4) Crs Wright, Leete, Taylor and MdCaughan. Against the notion (5) Crs Masefield. Williams, Munro, Morcom and Pool. The (Mayor did not vote on the question and said he preferred not to do so as he had a casting vote. Cr Lccte. asked whether any .steps would be taken now to prevent Sunday play in the Domain. AKAROA DOMAIN COURTS. Alter the Council meeting a meeting of the Domain; Board was held I when Cr Maselield moved that the' Board's Secretary take action against anyone playing tennis in the Domain on Sundays. Seconded by Cr Will- 1 iams and carried. ' I