SPORTS AND RATES

Evening Star, Issue 19330, 17 August 1926, Page 2

SPORTS AND RATES

ST. HILDA'S EOWLIKG HIDES The practice of granting rebates in rates to sporting clubs in the borough was discussed at last night’s meeting of the St. Kilda Borough Council, when the St. Clair Bowling Club wrote asking for a reduction of rates on its new property in Ings avenue The Mayor (Mr R. W. Hall) considered that some relief should be given the club, which had a heavy mortgage, the encumbrance of shifting costs, and liability to be sustained in the future for improvements. As mast of + he members were ratepayers, the club should have the same reduction as other clubs. Further, the heavy rates were brought about by the system of rating in the borough. Only a little relief, would be. helping sport and recreation and giving the club a nelp. The rato charged to the other boding club Was £l2 10s.

Cr H. H. Leary said the council know ho had always been ooposed to reductions being made, and it was lime a halt was called in the granting of concessions. A minimum i barge ot £l2 Ills should be fixed, so tmt u non extensions were made by the clubs in the future the rates could bo altered. As tho council should be safeguarded, he moved an amendment to that effect. When the Mayor stated that the rental charged for De Carlo Park was £2o per annum Cr Leary wanted to know what was the reason for the different charge to bowling clubs and football clubs. They were all sports, and should bo on the same basis.

Mr Hall said they could not be placed on tho same footing. De Carle Park was let for only the football season. Cr Leary: Then it is even worse titan if the charge were for the full year. Cr Longworth pointed out that De Carlo Park was the council's property, and the revenue had not yet exceeded the expenditure. Tho two bowling clubs had their own grounds, and the council was not liable tor any cost when improvements were carried out. So far as tho bowling clubs were concerned, the council could not make fish of one and ilesh of the other. The motion was carried. Cr Leary voting against it.