RECREATION GROUND CHARGES.

Hutt News, Volume 10, Issue 24, 18 November 1936, Page 5

RECREATION GROUND CHARGES.

(To the Editor.)

Sir, —A' deputation from the Hutt District cricket Club waited upon the Borough Council recently in support o,f a' request for the reduction of the rent for the season from £100 to £90. The Club has a membership of seventy and the charge of £1 Bs. .per member for ground Tfintal alone falls heavily on the Club's finances. The request was refused) on the grounds that the east to the Borough to maintain the cricket area was £424 ss. 9d., and it was stated by the Mayor that the cost to the ratepayers per member per playing Saturday was 7/-. Aa the result of the publication of these figures, there has been much criticism of the Club for seeking a reduction when the costs appear so heavy. The Club has accepted the decision of the Council, tout considers that in justice to itself the position should be clarified in order that ratepayers may judge lor themselves as to the true position re maintenance rendered necessary by 'the use of the ground for criciket. The sum o,f £424 ss. 9id'. may be dissected and analysed as follows: Section 1. £ s. d. Half wages of caretaker in attention to wicket areas after finish of season .. 24 0 0 Additional labour for preparation of wickets .. 13 10 9 Topdressing and special soil for wickets 14 IS 0 Grass seed for wickets .. 8 >6 0 M&nure 7 5 0 Horse hire for rolling wickets 6 10 0 Whiting for marking .. .. 2 0 0 Total £76 9 9 Section 2. Caretaker's wages, Oct. 1 — March 31 150 0 0 Benzino and oil for motor mower 10 4 0 Overhauling and repair for mower 19 IS 0 Carting away grass .. 11 5 0 Depreciation on plant (£1,003 at 10 per cent.) .. .. 100 6 0 Interest on plant (£1,003 at 5 per cent.) 50 3 0 Total £347 10 0 The items in Section 1 concern the preparation of the wickets, and apart from the remarks that numbers one, four and five appear excessive if applied to the wicket areas only, are accepted as directly concerning the Club.

The items in Section 2 are subject to Criticism. As the Recreation Ground would require to be kept mown and in good order whether or cricket was played thereon, it appears that at least half o,f the caretaker's wages should bo charged to maintenance of borough reserves. Items two and three could reasonably 'be charged wholly to that account. The item, -carting away grass, £11 55., appears to have 'been included as a humorous touch. The items, depreciation and interest, invite especial comment, firstly the cost o.f the plant; surely this is grossly over-valued. Two motor mowers are useid 1 . The large one was purchased about 1!)25 and at the rate of depreciation charged the Club its book value '.cannot now exceed £150. The second mower is used on other ground's and only occasionally on the Recreation Ground, and its presciu value is approximately £60. There are two Tollers; one horse roller purchased in 1925 for £63 10s., depreciated at 10 per cent., book value £25, yet to the deputation the Mayor quoteld this one as valued at £75. The other roller was recently purchased for £15. It is understood a new triplex mower and tractor is to arrive this season, but these cannot be in'cluded solely in the figures quoted, for we 'believe they are for general use on borough reserves. Now, Sir, we have accounted for less than £300 of plant and that leaves over £700 for tools and wheelbarrows, etc.

The valuation of £1,003 for plant required for the sole purpose of maintenance for cricket does not appear sound, consequently the interest en capital is likewise grossly overstateid', and we contend that the charging to 'cricket of £156 9s. for these items is quite unfair, as is the assessment of all charges on the Keercation Ground against cricket. Other sports bodies use the area and the park is a breathing space for residents of the district and surely must be maintained for their benefit. We regret that it is necessary to seek publicity in this matter ,for the club is greatly appreciative of the many considerations and benefits the Borough Council and staff have afforded the Club during the last twenty-five years, yet we feel that this explanation is necessary to allow ratepayers to judge for themselves as to the merits of the figures published. For the Management Committee, K. A. WEIGHT, Hon. 'Secretary. In connection with the above His Worship the Mayor states as follows: The cost of preparation of wickets has increased considerably as a result o,f the employment of only full rates wages men and the introduction of reduced hours. Last year Council had an offer of £100 from another cricket association, but deferreid' to the representation otf the Hultti District (Cricket Club. There is every argument for a further increase this season, but such has not been imposed. The figures concerning 'plant are taken from the Borough ledgers. No ajccount of the cost of the land, or dressing rooms, or storage for cricket gear f.or the whole twelve months, conviences, etc., has teen charged. I made an. offer to the Club that they have full use of the grounds for Satur-

days during the cricket season for a rental of £20, ami they to do their own wicket preparation. That offer is still open. The revenue from the Recreation Ground is 11/4 per wicket, per week, and wo ido all the preparation. The revenue .from the other three cricket grounds is 11/- per wicket, per week, and the clubs do all the work.