REFUSAL OF GROUND FOR LEAGUE MATCH AT WANGANUI

Greymouth Evening Star, 23 August 1949, Page 8

REFUSAL OF GROUND FOR LEAGUE MATCH AT WANGANUI

WELLINGTON, August 22 (P.A.) .— The argument between the New Zealand Rugby Union and the Wanganui City Council as to whether Spriggens Park, Wanganui, should be made available for a Rugby League match on September 6 was again before the New Zealand Rugby Union executive today, but no change was made in the executive’s previous decisions not to allow the ground to be used. A letter from the Wanganui City Council advised the executive that the City Council would endeavour to see whether the Australian Rugby League team’s itinerary could be changed to enable it co play at Wanganui in October, which would be after the Wanganui Rugby Union’s control of the ground had' ceased for the seaon. The City Council said that there - was a lease from the council and the Wanganui Rugby Union, ’ and that the council did not recognise the New Zealand Union as having any jurisdiction. That point was being referred to the council’s solicitor. “There is the position, gentlemen.” said the chairman (Mr A. St. C. Belcher), after the letter had been read. “When the ground reverts to the Wanganui City Council we can do nothing about it.” Mr Belcher said a clause in the lease was to the effect that the lessee was debarred from allowing the ground to be used for any other than Rugby football (amateur). The letter was received.