USE OF A RECREATION GROUND

Evening Post, Volume LXXXV, Issue 27, 25 February 1913, Page 3

USE OF A RECREATION GROUND

FOR RUGBY OR LEAGUE. LEAGUE GETS PREFERENCE AT KUTT. , , The claims of rival football organisations—Rugoy Union and the Northern League — for the use of the Hutt Recreation Ground were voiced by deputations from both bodies at the meeting of the Hutt Borough Council lasfc evening. In this connection the Recreation Ground Committee recommended us follows ;—; — That the offer of the Northern Union League of £30 cash down and 50 per cent, of the gate taking be accepted for next seasons uso of the' Recreation Ground for football. In other respects the terms to be the same as existed during previous years." The Rugby Union offered £25 for the season and 33^ per cent, of the gate takings. As spokesman of the Rugby Union deputation, Mr. *W. Perry stated he wished to point out. that the union. had had the use of the ground for* years past. It had been agreed that the union was to play four teams in the Hutt this season. They had made application this year on the same terms as last, not anticipating a paragraph in one of the newspapers to the effect that the league had received preference. It was for that reason t?they were there,and they were prepared to negotiate to give more favourable terms. He contended that tho Northern Union had formed in the Hutt during the end of last" sea-son, aiid ihe council had no guarantee that it was going to last half a season this year. ' For the coming seaeon the Waiwetu Club were going to put three teams in the field < and the Hutt at least two teams. ■ Speaking on behalf of the Northern League, Mr. H . Wright stated that the prospects of the League were as good as those of Kugby. A good deal of Mr. Perry's remarks were purely guesswork. Jf the union made a better offer than the league they (the league) were prepared to outbid them again if possible. Further, the league intended to encourage junior players. After hearing the deputations, the ' Alayor stated ■ that ' the council would give/due weight to the representations of both clubs. For his own part," he thought the best- course to- pursue would be to call for tenders for the grounds, and givo the grounds to the highest bidder. Later in the evening the recommendation of the committee came u{J -for ."con--sideration, and Councillor Hodgins forthwith moved its adoption* This Councillor, Ball seconded. , ' Councillor Dawson moved an amendment in the direction • of the Mayor's proposal, that tenders, bo called for th« ground. . '' ,t, t L,* '.- . , -Councillor Kempthotfie seconded, tho' amendment. Councillors Clendon, Roots, „~Hobbs, and Knight were in favour of the recommendation of the committee. The Mayor, in supporting Councillor Dawaon's amendment, said it< was all very well to talk of sport, but the couh^ cil must consider the interests ' of the ratepayers. The cost of the Recreation Ground had been a drag on ratepayers^ and now was an opportunity of getting a return for their outlay. The motion was eventually carried on a show of hands, the Mayor and* Councillors Dawson and Kempthorne voting against it.