QUESTION OF CHARGE GROUND

Greymouth Evening Star, 20 March 1946, Page 9

QUESTION OF CHARGE GROUND

CANTERBURY DIFFICULTIES

(P.A.) CHRISTCHURCH, March 19. How the Canterbury Rugby League was unable to obtain the lease of the Addington Show Grounds for five years, although its tender was much in excess of that made by the Canterbury Rugby Union, was described by the new president, Mr L. G. Amos, at -the annual meeting this evening, when he referred to the need for obtaining a charge gyound for the code. Mr Amos mentioned the possible visit of the English League team, and said the Canterbury Rugby League should serve notice that it intended to apply for Lancaster Park or a suitable charge ground where it could accommodate the public. Mr Amos, who spoke before Ins election as president, asked what steps the League intended to take to secure a charge ground. He said the Canterbury Rugby Union had the whole lot tied in the proverbial knot, which was very hard to cut. For reasons outlined by the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association, it had been deemed advisable to give the Addington Show Grounds to the Canterbury Rugby Union. He did not suggest the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association was biased, but there were underlying motives which should be brought into the clear. “In Dunedin at present we have a cricket team which is no different from any League team,” added Mr Amos. “It is paid £1 a day. I am sure .that those here to-night have no more benefit from the code than any Rugby player. It is time this discrimination, and this silly, stupid talk about professionalism in League was stopped. - It does not exist.” tj , w „ The retiring president, Mr W. L. Desmond, gave an assurance that an application would be made tor caster Park for a Canterbury v. England or New Zealand v England match. Everything would be done to obtain a charge ground. Delegates from 12 clubs and more 'than 30 club members attended the meeting. The balance-sheet showed no liabilities, and assets totalling £322. -