GROUNDS QUESTION

Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 44, 20 August 1938, Page 23

GROUNDS QUESTION

ASSOCIATION'S VIEW

Regarding the question of the Improvement of grounds, which was the subject of lengthy comment in this column last week, the chairman of the Wellington Hockey Association (Mr. C. P. McKenzie), has some remarks to make, remarks which go far towards explaining the present position.

"Whilst in complete agreement with the necessity for improving the playing surface of our grounds," says Mr. McKenzie, "it is pointed out that the cost of improvement is one which the players could hot face.

"Professor Jagan Nath when speak-

ing to players in Wellington drew attention to the fact that in India hockey is played for the whole year and on grounds which are reserved, in many cases, for the sole use of hockey players. Consequently the necessity for the consideration of other sports does not arise there.

"To the best of my knowledge no questionnaire has ever been forwarded from New Zealand asking for the opinion 'of the associations there as to the preparation and maintenance of grounds and I fail to see that much good would be gained from such a procedure bearing in mind the difference in our climatic conditions. The remarks re hollow grounds were evidently written without thought of the fact that grounds in Wellington are supplied and maintained by the local authorities, and that they are not sufficient for either summer or winter sports. Bearing this in mind it is hardly likely that, if the Hockey Association had sufficient funds, permission would be given by the City Council for the ploughing of any area for the reason that it would then be out of commission for one playing season.

•'The provision of a grounds fund is a good idea and one which the executive will take into consideration during the off season, but the provision of our own ground, where our best matches could be staged each week is almost a pre-requisite in order to enable that fund to be established. The raising of fees is a matter which in hockey would be very difficult, remembering the fact that our players pay the whole of their expenses from the fees. Nevertheless the idea of the fund is a good one, and will be taken up. The question might arise why should the Hockey Association improve municipal grounds when they have not the sole use of same, but there is no doubt that if some arrangement could be made with other organisations using the same ground for summer sports our players would do their part.

"The question of summer play has been discussed before and in the opinion of the manager of the Prince of Manavadar's team our hockey will not reach the standard of the Indians until such lime as we adopt summer play. Of course the question of grounds being available again comes into the picture and any summer play would of necessity have to be at night. In this connection inquiries are being made whether it will be possible

for the Hockey Association to obtain the use of the Hutt Recreation Ground, where special lighting has recently been installed, and should the ground be available, there is very little doubt that at least one tournament will be instituted.

"We appreciate the generous support given by the 'Evening Post' and are very grateful to them for raising this matter and giving us the necessary space for its discussion."