SPORTS BODIES' TANGLE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18692, 24 April 1924, Page 9

SPORTS BODIES' TANGLE.

DISPUTE AT TAKAPUNA. PARTNERSHIP. DISSOLVES. PARTITION OF GROUNDS. A curious dispute between three sports bodies at Takapuna has been the cause of trouble and heart-burning for some time past. Some 15 years ago the owners of what was known as the Shakespeare Estate, then a farm property, opposite where the Borough Council's offices now stand, offered two acres of land with frontage.to two streets, on exceedingly reasonable terms, to any body of residents who would undertake to make it a ground for sports. Accordingly the bowling club was formed and laid out the ground. Subsequently the tennis club and croquet club were allotted one quarter each as tenants, the former body later being granted an additional quarter on the understanding that the tenancy should cease on reasonable notice. The next step, however, was the formation of a central body (incorporated), representing the three clubs, to take over the grounds, with the clubs as tenants, each to continue in occupancy of tlie area it then held. Now, however, the bowling club wishes to either repurchase the one-iourth area or sell its holding to the tennis club. The latter, however, declines to entertain either proposal, with the result that a crisis has arisen. Mattel's came to a head at a meeting of the executive of tie incorporated body on Tuesday evening, when a resolution was carried in favour of a partition of the grounds between the three clubs, which necessarily involves the liquidation of the central society. A committee of three was appointed to prepare a scheme of subdivision. One difficulty that presents itself is the disposal of the pavilion, which stands in the centre of the grounds, is used by the three bodies jointly, and which, if the clubs are to fence oit separate properties requires something like Solomon s judgment for its equitable apportionment.