CRICKET ON SUNDAY

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 287, 4 September 1928, Page 3

CRICKET ON SUNDAY

POSITION AT UPPER HUTT PROTEST BY COUNCILLOR “Should the young men of Upper Hutt borough be given municipal facilities for playing cricket on Sundays?” When this question was debated at last night’s meeting of the Upper Hutt Borough Council an answer in the affirmative was arrived at. Discussion arose following the receipt of a letter asking if the old arrangements with regard to Sunday cricket at Maidstone Park (recently leased by the council) would continue. The Mayor (Mr. P. Robertson) said the question would. be decided when the borough by-laws were considered in the near future by the special by-laws committee. Councillor J. K. Johnston thought the principle of Sunday play should be decided at'the council meeting. Councillor J. O. Dull was emphatically opposed to the proposal. He thought that if Wellington and Lower Hutt put a ban on Sunday cricket, Upper Hutt should do so. Councillor Johnston ■ said that there was no ban upon tennis or golf. The Mayor asked why the line should be drawn at other games. He thought that Sunday play in Upper Hutt would do far more good than would its curtailment. The young men would not be hanging about the streets and hotels, but would be out in the open. The population was not sufficient at Upper Hutt for cricket on Saturday. Councillor Guthrie said it would mean a loss of revenue if the games were stopped. Councillor Duff said revenue should uot come before principle. The Mayor explained that last year £1 per pitch was charged by the manager of the park. It would be decided later if any charge should be made. A recommendation was then passed (Councillor Duff dissenting) to the Bylaws Committee urging the continuance of Sunday cricket at Maidstone Park. Later in the evening Councillor J. O. Duff intimated his intention to .relinquish the position of chairman of the By-laws Committee, as the committee was going to pass a by-law which violated his conscience. The Mayor thought that the mere inclusion of ‘a clause in the by-laws should not warrant such action. Mr. Duff had done really good work for the committee so far, and he would be sorry to see him withdraw just at the finish of the As the chairman was elected by the committee the council left the matter to be dealt with by that body.