INCREASES DEFERRED

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 114, 15 May 1914, Page 2

INCREASES DEFERRED

* 1 I SPORTS GROUND CHARGES SIX MONTHS' REPRIEVE. The much -discussed charges levied by the City Council Upon sports bodies for the use of the city reserves were before tho City Council last evening. The Reserves Committee brought down a report that it had been waited on by a deputation representing the Wellington Hockey, Lacrosse, and Football Associations, and the Wellington Rugby League, which asked the council to defer levying the increased charges for use of the city reserves for six months, so as to enable the Winter Sports Associations to arrange their finances to meet the increased charges next season. The committee have recommended the council to accede to the request of the "deputation. A lively discussion followed the submission of the report. Councillor M'Kenzfe taxed Councillor Frost, chairman of the committee, with bringing down the recommendation after the council had adopted the committee's proposal to increase the charges If the increases were necessary, they should be raised at once. He did not think the council should be the victims of deputations. This new recommendation was only adopted on the casting vote of the chairman of the committee. The contention of the deputation was that tho increased charges were decided ■ upon after they had lield some of their meetings. But that they were able to pay wathout hardship was shown by the fact that several >of them had already paid the new fees. ' Councillor Frost, explained that he had given his casting vote in favour of postponing the increases, out of a desire to encourage the sports bodies. Councillor Hindmarsh : "I would like your ruling as to whether the committee could practically nullify the resolution of the council." The council had passed a resolution fixing the charges, and the committee had now nullified this Isy say ing the rates should not be charged for six months. He was not speaking on the merits of the game, but simply as to the procedure. He questioned whether the, council itself could pass such A resolution without notice. The Mayor : The council can do anything by unanimous action. But if there is one protest against it, the committee will be out of court, and it will have to be dealt with by notice of motion. Councillor Buddie said he believed the council's resolution did not say whether the charges were to come into force this year. The matter was decided late in the season, without notice to the sports bodies. The charges were considered to be fair, but the fact that the bodies concerned had already arranged their finances for the season was overlooked. It seemed to be quite fair in the circumstances — to hold the increase over till next year. The clause was adopted.