WINTER SPORTS

Evening Post, Volume CXXV, Issue 80, 5 April 1938, Page 6

WINTER SPORTS

GROUNDS ALLOCATED

REDUCTION OF NUMBER

The allocation of playing fields for winter sports-was decided last evening by the City Council upon the basis of a recommendation from the reserves

committee.

The Rugby Union is to have twentysix grounds,, the. Football Association ■nine, thej Men's Hockey Association [sine, and the \Ladies' Hockey Associaition six. ■■■ ' ' ..■;:'■

\> The Rugby > League was granted playing rights at Newtown Park on the same condition as last year, and the Football Association has again been granted the use of the Basin Reserve. ■

Councillor W. Appleton protested against the allocation of only one ground to Hugby League players. He thought it most unfair. " '''-■■ Councillor W. Duncan said that the whole allocation had been worked out on the basis of numerical strength.Councillor P. M. Butler said that every effort had been made to meet the request of the Rugby League for more grounds, but it was a physical impossibility to do so, for the grounds were not there, particularly in view of the loss of fourteen grounds during the period the Lyall Bay area would be required for Exhibition purposes. ■

Every code, said Councillor A. Black, had lost grounds except the Rugby League. The Rugby Union had lost seven grounds and the Football Assq r ciation had- also, lost playing fields, and in the face" of that the League could hot complain of unfair treatment. .. ■■-• ' ,