RENT FOR SPORTS GROUND

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22111, 5 June 1937, Page 16

RENT FOR SPORTS GROUND

* United Club Seeks Reduction DEPUTATION TO DOMAINS BOARD Allegations that the Christchurch Domains Board was charging an unconscionable rental lor its grounds were made yesterday by members of a deputation to the board from the United Bowling, Tennis, and Croquet Club. After the deputation had withdrawn, members of the board criticised the deputation's presentation of its case. The deputation, which consisted of Messrs A. Burns, president of the tennis section of the club, B. A. Barrcr, the secretary, and W. F. Tait, president of the bowling section, asked the board for a substantial reduction in rent in view of the club’s present financial position. The chairman, Mr H. Kitson, presided. The club was in an extremely poor financial 'position from which it might never properly extricate itself, said Mr Burns, the leader of the deputation. It had spent a very substantial sum on improvements to the grounds, which were in firstclass order. The competition of Wilding Park as a grass-court tennis area had caused the club to lose many members. In 1925 the club paid £6O in rent, continued Mr Burns, and in 1928 it was raised, without justification, to £B7 10s, and again, in 1929, to £lO2. Between 1925 and 1936 the revenue had dropped by £SOO. Last year the revenue was the lowest on record—almost half that of 1925. He claimed that the board could not justify the rental it charged in comparison with the amounts charged to other bodies and clubs similar to the United Club. The club had made strenuous efforts to provide finances, said Mr Barrer, and by special efforts had increased the membership during the last year. Many of these members, however, were juniors and were not charged the full subscription. He maintained (hat the club was actually called upon to pay a rental for its own improvements. After the deputation had withdrawn, the Hon. D. Buddo, M.L.C., formally moved that the matter be referred to the board’s sports ground committee. “A Praiseworthy Effort” Dr. J, Guthrie, in seconding the motion, said that the club had made a praiseworthy effort to improve its position. In spite of its straitened circumstances the club had kept the grounds in excellent order, and the result was a great achievement. Both the citizens of Christchurch and overseas visitors were much impressed by the grounds. Mr Kitson: The City Council charges £l6 an acre for the rent of its grounds and our charge is only £l4 10s. Ido not think it fair lo ask ratepayers to pay for other people’s amusement. The club was doing really firstclass work to improve its position, said Mr T. Newburgh. To increase its membership it had given away bonuses of 7s 6d to each member enrolling other members, and this amounted to about £3O. The members of the bowling section of the club were not charged as much as the members of outside clubs. That the club had this year balanced its budget proved that it was not in such a parlous condition as was maintained.

Mr M. E. Lyons said that he considered that the deputation had done itself more harm than good in stating its case before the board. He considered that a comparison of the rents charged to other clubs was not necessary. The deputation had expressed its case in rather an aggressive manner and this had alienated his sympathies.* He considered that a large number of the members of the club were in a much better financial position this year r£? n u been for some years. The board would not press the club unduly for payment, and he sugjested that the matter be deferred for some time. He moved as an amendment that the question be deferred for six months to enable the club again to consider its position. Several members spoke in support of the amendment, which was earned unanimously.