WHANGARM AFFAIRS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18170, 16 August 1922, Page 7

WHANGARM AFFAIRS.

RACING CLUB LEASE.

SOLDIERS' HUT DISPUTE. [BT TELBGBAPH. —OWN COBRESPONDENT.]

WHANG ABEI. Tuesday. ,

For some time negotiations have been in progress between the Whangarei Racing Club and the Borough Council for a long lease of Kensington Park, the lease to be reviewed every 21 years. The council agreed to the terms, including'lo per cent, gate money and 10 per cent, members' admissions. The club declined to consent to thß latter, and the clause requiring 10 per cent, on members? tickets was rescinded. During recent discussion of this difference between the club and the council opposition has arisen to the club having an extended lease. Mr. Brake, chairman of the Parka Committee, who has the support of some members of the council, contends that the question should not l>e settled without reference to the ratepayers- He considers the" amended terms inadequate,. and states that other clubs and athlejio associations may suffer some handicap in the use of playing fields if the sole nghte of the tracks and the large area of grounds are handed over in perpetuity to the racing club- Mr. Brake hae given notice of motion to rescind the existing resolution to lease, and so the question may now bo reopened. In the meanwhile, if the council proceeds with its Leasing Bill, already drafted, Mr. Brake states that, owing to what he believes growing public opposition, he will be regretfully obliged to petition the Government against it. At a protracted meeting last night of the Whangarei Hospital Board a site slightly to the north-east of the maternity annexe, on a commanding rise of ground, was selected for .tbe proposed nurses' home, for which competitive designs will be sought. At the same meeting the voting was equally divided on, the question whether the board should make a proposed acknowledgment of £50 for the commodious recreation hut erected for the returned soldiers by the Auckland Patriotic Association in 1919. The association wrote claiming rights over the hut, which has since ceased to be used for the soldiers. The board declined to recognise any such right, bat, as there was some misunderstanding, proposed to allow £50 without prejudice. On an amendment to allow nothing, the votes were equal, and the chairman declined to gbe his casting vote until he had considered the. matter at leisure.