SPORTS GROUNDS.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 332, 20 October 1908, Page 10

SPORTS GROUNDS.

THE CLUBS .CHRISTCHURCH DOMAIN BOARD.

' (si TEr.EODirn.—spitctni. cokuespondent.i.... " "chrlstchuroh, October 19. ■ The Domain Board, at a recent meeting, decided to incre'aso tho rentals paid by the various sports clubs for the portions. o£ Hagley Park allotted to their use. lhereupon the clubs made a'gieat outcry, and today deputations of cricketers and hockey players interviewed the board, and urged them not to impose the higher rentals, while the polo club and tho Rugby Union wrote to the sanie cffect.

Mr. Witty, M.P., moved that the resolution raising the rentals be rescinded. The City Council, representing Christchurch with 60,000 'inhabitants, piid only £350 per annum towards the domain,, and the Sehvyn Council, representing 45,000 people, many of whom never entered tho part, paid £250 per annum. Tho public should pay a greater sum than they did .now. ' '

The Hon. C. C." Bowen said there was no doubt the park was- the people's property, and the board had'.tp .stand between the people, who had ail in'alienable right to the park, and that portiin of the people represented by the clubs who asked for a monopoly. Therefore, he objected to a popular cry being made of it. Mr. Ell agreed that the public of Christchurch would far rather the city should pay more than that tho fees should be illcreased.

Tho Chairman thought it would bo a bad precedent for the board to rescind their resolution. They " were not'asking too'much i'rom that , portion of the public who desired more .or less monopolies of the park. There wero'a number, of clubs ready to take'. up portions of the park if the present occupiers went out.

Another member said if Parliament wouid support a Bill enabling them to impose a rate, of one-fiftieth of a penny they Would have a revenue of £1200 per annum, which would be sufficient'to'enable them to carry on without increasing the rentals. Mr. Manhire said that it. was not'right that "the ratepayers•:as a whole should be called upon to pay for the sports of'others. It Would be'better if the young girls, instead of playing hockey, went' in' for- gardening, mending stockings, etc. ' The motion was lost, only the three'.political members, Messrs. Ell, Davey, and Witty voting for it. - :