THE HOCKEY GIRLS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXXIII, Issue 15923, 8 May 1912, Page 8

THE HOCKEY GIRLS.

The Domains Board should not have any hesitation in granting the application of the Ladies’ Hookey Association for permission to erect a pavilion in the North Park in the neighbourhood -of the playing grounds. Some hundreds of girls use these grounds during the winter months and at present they have not as much as a place where they can hang their coats. They must come to the Park in their playing clothes or make any changes that may he necessary in the open air. The erection of a suitable building would uot give the Association any vested right 3, of course, and there would be no difficulty in making the structure ornamental as well as useful, while the amount of ground that it would occupy would be very small indeed. The Board has tied its own hands temporarily by a resolution to the effect that no further permits for enclosures in the parks shall be granted, but we do not think that the decision of a year or two ago was meant to cover a case of this kind. At all events the Board cannot fairly make a distinction between the hookey players and for example, the golfers. The Golf Club, with comparatively a mere handful of players, occupies a great deal more ground than does the Hockey Association, and prevents, or at least discourages, public access to the north end of the Park during many hours of the day. The indignation of’the golfer who found a party of children playing between two “ holes ” can be imagined. But the chib has been allowed to°erect a pavilion, and the Canterbury College students have been able not merely to build a clubhouse but also to enclose tennis courts. Under these circumstances the Board cannot reasonably quote an arbitrary prohibition against the modest request 0 f the hockey players.