SPORT ON SUNDAYS

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 28, 27 October 1934, Page 15

SPORT ON SUNDAYS

Use of Public Reserves I AUCKLAND DECISION By Telegraph.—Press Association. Auckland, October 25. A recommendation that the prohibiting of the playing of games in any of the city parks or reserves on Stnidays be amended to permit, with the written authority of the council, the playing on Sundays of approved games on public reserves laid out exclusively as playing areas was .submitted to the city council to-nlglit by the parks committee and adopted on jhe casting vote of the Mayor after a lengthy discussion. -/ A little elucidation oi the legal position seems necessary before a vote -is taken,” said the* Mayor. “We have no right to attempt to legislate people into heaven ; indeed, under the Municipal Corporations Act we are expressly forbidden to do so. It is Stated that no by-law shall, be valid if its provisions are based only on religious or moral grounds. “I am definitely opposed to the playing of games on Sundays on reserves which are frequented by the general public. We have few areas used exclusively for the playing of games. I am definitely of the opinion that if the present by-law were attacked in regard to these particular grounds it would be held-to be invalid. We can refuse permission for play on other areas such as the domain because of the possibility of interference with the general public using those areas.”