GROUNDS FOR SPORT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVIII, Issue 17754, 13 April 1921, Page 6

GROUNDS FOR SPORT.

CITY COUNCIL'S ALLOCATION.

NO PROVISION FOR HOCKEY. The question of the allocation of grounds on public reserves to sports bodies by the City Council, was discussed at the aniual meeting of the Auckland Hockey Association last evening, and the delegates expressed great dissatififaotictn thait no grounds had been apportioned for hockey this season. Mr. L. C. Kent said the Hockey Association applied for grounds, and the receipt of that application had been acknowledged by the council. However, it was now stated that the Reserves Committee had tillott&l grounds to the Rugby Union, Rugby League, and Football Association, and had not allowed any grounds for hockey. The report of the Reserved Committee wotld como before the City Council to-morrow evening, and lie thought the association should take some action in the matter. Mr. H. B. Speight said that some yeare ago the Hockey Association had two grounds on the Domain,_ but during the war these wero not required, as the club membership decreased through players going to the war. When hostilities ceased . and the players returned, mora grounds were needed, and last year tlio association applied for grounds on publio but the council replied that the application was not received in time. This season the application was forwarded in time, but now the association found it was completely ignored. There were over 500 hockey players in Auckland, and the association should receive some consideration from the council. He had been told that the caretakers were not consulted in regard to the allocation of grounds, and that was not right. He suggested that a strong deputation wait on the councilMr. J. C. Renme said the association had 47 teams to provide for this year, and an additional two grounds were required. The hockey ground at Remuera could not accommodate all the teams. Mr. A. Murdoch said the association also required grounds for school hockey, and some provision should be made so that this could be played at the Domain on Saturday mornings" The association should also be allowed a ground at the Domain and one at Victoria Park for club games. He moved that a deputation consisting of the officers and the executive of the association, wait on the council to-morrow evening. Mr. Kent said it had been stated that hockey cut up the grounds more than football. Such was not the case x and it could be proved that the turf was not damaged half ns much by hockey. Mr. Murdoch's motion was carried.