SUNDAY CRICKET

King Country Chronicle, Volume XXXI, Issue 4567, 10 November 1937, Page 5

SUNDAY CRICKET

BOROUGH COUNCIL APPROVES. MAJORITY DECISION. RIGHT TO PLAY ON DOMAIN-^ By a majority decision of the Borough Council, the playing of cricket on Sunday afternoons on the Domain is to be permitted.

A deputation from the Maniapoto Cricket Association and the Friendly Societies' Council waited on the Council on Monday evening, to ask permission to play on Sunday afternoons, while letters objecting to such a project were received from the Apostolic Church, the Methodist and Presbyterian Churches, and the Salvation Army. These letters pointed out that with the greater leisure time now given to members of the community, there was even less need to take the Lord's Day for sporting purposes.

The deputation consisted of Mr..'J. Hine, Mr. Montgomery,' president of the Cricket Association, and Mr. W. G. Bonner, chairman of the Friendly Societies' Council.

Mr. Hine made the application for play on the Domain on Sunday afternoon, when cricket would not clash with church hours. Practically every other sport was now played on Sunday; but cricket was seldom in the position of owning its ground. Cricket was a game not conducive to rowdyism. He understood that some churches had objected, but he also understood that other churches raised no objection to Sunday afternoon play. Mr. Bonner said the Lodge teams contained a large number of men unable to play on Saturday afternoon, but the Railway ground was not available again. All the Lodges had approved of the project. After this decision he interviewed the clergy, none of whom raised any objection at the time, though the Revs. Brabyn and Hall could not give a definite answer. When he asked them to put their views in writing, he received a letter from Father Shore giving hearty support to a worthy object; from the Rev. E. W. Hancock saying that he could not see the slightest objection to people playing outside church hours, providing that they had attended Divine service; and from the Rev. W. T. Brabyn, stating that the Presbyterian Session could not agree to Sunday play. In other centres the municipalities permitted cricket to be played on Sunday afternoon. After the deputation had retired, Cr. Johnson moved that permission be granted for Sunday cricket on the Domain. Cr. Hetet seconded the motion.

Cr. Rundle said that at Taumarunui and other towns the R.S.A. had played on public domains on the Sabbath. Cr. Dobson held that the Council should put aside personal bias, and should judge on which side the majority of townspeople would be.

Cr. Johnson said that when a controversy on this question arose some years ago, it was shown there was a large body of the public in favour of Sunday sport. The Mayor said if permission for Sunday play was granted, it would offend a large proportion of the public whose objections were strong and should be respected. Cr. Mackersey: It is quite certain we will offend someone. It is well known that golf, tennis, bowls and other sports are played on a Sunday, and I can see no reason why cricket should not be played. Cr. Isaac: The churches still object to those other sports, but have no redress. However, I am a believer in Sunday sport. The resolution granting permission was carried, Crs. Johnson, Bundle, Mackersey, Isaac and Hetet voting in favour of it.