HAGLEY PARK RENTAL.

Press, Volume LXIV, Issue 13231, 26 September 1908, Page 6

HAGLEY PARK RENTAL.

Mr K. Ndave, secretary to. the Christchurch Polo Club, had a few remarks to make to a representative of "The Press" yesterday in regard to the rental of the polo ground at, Hagley Park. Ho said that before tho club took over the ground (some nine acres at tho most) the ground was very marshy, and utterly unsuitable for hockey or other sports, and it was only the expenditure of the club's.money that made it possible for the Domain Board to lease it for hockey during the winter months. The club expended fully £200 in - pipe draining, levelling, and grassing the ground, apart from the cost of erecting a pavilion, fencing, making an enclosure, and general npkeop, and yet they used the ground for barely six months in the year. With regard to the statement in the paper that the Polo Club could well afford to contribute more rent, it should, Mr Neave said, be remembered that the member-, ship consisted of less than a dozen members. Ho pointed out that'the club had never at any time objected to runners training on the ground. What they did complain of was tho large holes made in the ground for the.purpose of practising starting, because these holes were dangerous to tho ponies. TO THE EniTOR op "the press." Sn, —Tho trend of my remarks re rents charged to the different sports' bodies by the Domain Board seems to have boon totally misunderstood. My club has no grievance as to tho rent they pay for their portion of the park, but. on tho contrary, they recognise that the Domain Board have always met them in this, as in all other matters, which have from timo to time been discussed between them, in a liberal spirit. My remarks wero ' only intended to correct tbe impression likely to be left by tho list of rents, as first published, that, as compared with other bodies, my club was paying a seemingly inadequate rent. With regard to the letter by "Senex," 1 think that gentleman cannot be so old as his norn do plume would make it seem, or he would have ( taken more care to verify his facts before writing. Nevertheless, I am i obliged to him for his letter, as it enables mc to dispel ono of his illusions, .md extend to himself and his friends, along with the rest of the public, a hearty invitation on behalf of my club to come insido the fence next timo they wish to look on at any of the games played on our grounds. It was one of tho first points settled between the Domain Board and the club, and one on which both sides wero unanimous, that the club should admit to their enclosure any of the public who desired to come as spectators whenever play was proceeding. Wo only claim right to take such stops as may be necessary for preventing .injury to tho grounds. As is the case with the grounds held by other sports' bodies, the Domain Board has carefully preserved tho right of access of the public- to our enclosure at all reasonable times, and has only given us power to what may be necessary to preserve our Ereens and lawns from injury.—Yours, etc., » J. H. AITKEN, Hon. Sec. United B.r T.. and C. Club. TO THB EDITOR OF "THE TRESS.." Si»,—As one connected in some way or other with several of the sports played at Hagley Park, I wish to enter my emphatic protest against the action of the Domain Board in raising the rents to the various clubs. ' This place was reserved so that the public of this city and its vicinity should havo an ample playing ground for all time. Bodies governing the different sections of sport have had portions of tho park allotted to them for their own particular games, and they have been required to pay certain rente for that privilege. Hitherto thoy have done this Willingly. They have ajso spent considerable sums of money in preparing and keeping in order their little lota. . ' We are told that the cricket ground costs £220, per season. It has been in use for about lorty years. Take'itfoK that length of time at only £200 a year, and add, say, £1000 for first laying put and for buildings, when you will see that the cricketers havo spent at least £9000 on their portion. Now, when they object to an increase they aro coolly told by the chairman of the Board that if they do not like it there are other clubs which would be quite willing to take over the ground and pay tbe extra rent, I should think they would. But how long would the f round be kept in its present condition ?. s that tbe chairman's idea of either business or justice? If so, he has proved hitaself to bo absolutely unfitted for'his position. The Park should be nsed for tho purpose of enticing the people to take every advantage of getting out into the fresh air as much as possible. Whether thoy £o there with the intention of taking part in any sport, or of only watching others, is immaterial. The business of the Domain , Board is to afford encouragement to the ' people to use their own property, and j not to put any obstacle in the way. I It is certainly no duty of the Board to offer the : rights of any portion of Hagley Park to the highest bidder. — Yours, etc., FRESH AIR. , Christchurch, January 25th, 1908. TO TH_ -WTOR OP "TO- TRESS." Sir, —Golf-circles are hugely amused at an interview with Mr J. Aitk'en published in your paper this morning. We all know what his trouble is with golf; but what has the Polo Club done? Mr Aitken was not always of the opinion that a few pounds would suffice to keep a link in order. I am really surprised at the large amount he says has been expended by the Tennis Club. Is it well managed I wonder?— Yours, , etc., GOLF. September 24th. V