LANCASTER PARK.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 115, 17 May 1935, Page 13

LANCASTER PARK.

USE IN CHRISTCHURCH. LEAGUE RIGHTS ASSERTED. CANTERBURY CENTRE SUPPORTED. Arising from a recent application by the Canterbury Rugby League for the use ot Lancaster Park in Christchurch for a fixture with the Australian team, the council of the New Zealand Rugby League last evening had the published report brought to its notice disclosing that the Lancaster Park Board had rejected the request of the league, stating that it considered it had no power to grant the use of the park.

Mr. Cyril Snedden, chairman of the council, said that from what he remembered from a perusal of the Act governing the control of the park, the board did have the power. "This application," continued Mr. Sneddon, ''arose out of the visit of myself and your secretary to Christchurch on our recent official Dominion visit to leagues. It was then decided that the Canterbury League should seek the use of Lancaster Park for a representative match. This park was retained for the various sports bodies of Christchurch through subscriptions from citizens belonging to all sports, so that it appears Rugby League supporters who subscribed are being debarred from seeing their particular sport staged on the park, for the retention and share of which they contributed." Ho felt certain that that was not the intention of the Legislature and it seemed that if the board vested with control refused to grant the league its right to use the ground, the best course would be to have an amending Act' put through. He thought the matter should be properly followed up.

The speaker added, by way of explanation, that the public subscriptions, raised to retain Lancaster Park for all sports, were to pay off a mortgage, the park being then vested in what was called the Victory Park Board, a trust formed by representatives for cricket and Rugby Union bodies, with provision for all other sports also having a representative. For a lapse of years the Canterbury Rugby League had not applied for the ground, but it was used for a Rugby League Test in 1924. Mr. Sneddon said he thought the council should insist on getting the ground for a match as a matter of principle, and in the interests of Christchurch supporters who subscribed with worthy citizen motives to retain the ground for all sport.

The council decided, after brief comment, to assist the Canterbury League in obtaining the use of Lancaster Park for a representative fixture, whether the Australian tour eventuated or not, and the matter was left in the hands of the executive officers to take action, with the understanding that it should be made compulsory for Rugby League to get its proportionate use of the ground.

Several members stated that Parliflmentary representatives already approached regarding the matter had expressed a favourable attitude regarding the Rugby League's rights.

MEETING OF COUNCIL. INTER-ISLAND SELECTORS' CHOSEN. At the meeting of the council of the New Zealand Rugby League last evening, with Mr. Cyril Snedden presiding, Messrs. C. Hall (West Coast) and T. A. McClymont (Auckland) were appointed South Island and North Island selectors respectively for the annual inter-island match. The appointment of the New Zealand selectors was deferred, pending further advices concerning the Australian team's tour.

A letter was received from Mr. James Carlaw, who wrote thanking the council for its good wishes and for the honour of being re-elected patron for the Dominion. In .reply to a communication from the Canterbury League, which suggested a Test match in Christchurch with Australia, in addition to the match against the South Island, as proposed, the council deferred consideration of the application until the Australian tour arrangements were finalised, but the njembers at present thought it improbable that a Test match could be staged in Canterbury. The chairman reported that he and Mr. Carlaw had had a conference with Mr. C. Grey Campbell with regard to the terms for use of Carlaw. Park and the matter of rental was referred to the executive with power to act. A notice of motion amending the rule requiring a month's notice for the nomination of life members by affiliated leagues from a month to a week before the annual meeting of the council was adopted. It was pointed out that the shortened time conformed better with such proposals following annual meetings of the centres. The chairman and Mr. Stallworthy were authorised to make an early visit to Northland.

Reinstatements approved: Ron Wilson, Frank West and F. Wilkinson (South Auckland). S. A. McPhee (Canterbury) and S. J. Bennett (Auckland). Teams for Saturday:— NEWTON RANGERS. Seniors.—Dempsey, Brady, Pope, Franleh, E Brfmble (captain). Young, W. Brlmble, Johnston, Qulrke, Kelsall, Lunn, Nathan, Mlddleton, Clemm. Reserve Grade.—Donaldson, Lymhurn, Catlin, Jackson, Hulme, Kahu, Miller. Smith, Davenport, Holehouse. Wilton, Batty, Clemm (captain), Mason, Gibson. ■ Fourth Grade i Domain). —Bright, Bert, Berry, Campbell, Coghlan. Fairc, Hurley, Ilobman, Murray. Seale. O'Brien, fennel!. I'eters. Sissnns, Sharman, Stewart. Fifth Grade— Avery, Beguely, Campbell, Carey, Dunn, Banning, Holmes Jllllngs, Mason, Murphy, Pitts. Pophain, Robertson, Tobfn, Turner. TONSONBY. Seniors.— Bright. Blood. Ilutt, Halloran, McCarthy, Peterson, Rush, Reckeii, Shaw, Tdyl ° r ' DEVONPORT UNITED. <,„ Illo rs—Seagar, Hall, Rhodes, L. Scott, » Scott R Smith Powell. Cowan Donald, MiUcich, Simpson, Souter, Hunt, Rogers, A. Grade.—Archer, Thompson, Newway, Tryson, Webb, Brlgga, wniti.

CITY ROVERS. Seniors —Hughes, Turei, Brown, Nathan son. Kagg, Chirke. rurdy, Maher,

MARIST OLD BOYS. a „!„._:Campbell, Loader, Furlonger, c S :?S ninve lcGreal, Chalmers, Laird, s^ane, U w2bberley, Woods, Keane. BakaliCK',serven' Gmde.-Strachnn, Bailey, McKeserye uraue. u'Shannessy, ConL T I Ist Rhodes? McKee, Rogers, Stevens, Morrow-, Wicks, Barry (2).

RICHMOND ROVERS. Seniors — Cooke, McNeil, Mincham, Seniors. v- Bickerton, lletcher, g OUD ?f' Tp hlC Satherley, Lawless, TelK 1 Gfnders. SSSSgi SmiUir'vvniiams; Robinson.

NEWTON RANGBH.S. SUPPORTERS' CLUB CREATED. At a largely-attended meeting at the v \r A 011 Wednesday evening, presided Y .Al. — • (George Steven, in the absence over by Mr. ueo Mr Roy Bacldiley, who of the chaiiu • • jj ew t on Rangers Club waß committee by" the forfnation e of a ?Crmaf pVo'tem^and i«'SEBS~3H- £.*H early date. \