LARGER PLAYING AREA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20521, 24 March 1930, Page 10

LARGER PLAYING AREA.

I | ./ PROVISION IN ONEHUNGA. i INTEREST 6f SPORTS BODIES. I , 1 The larger playing are ; a now available iji Onchunga was referred to. at a meetnig of the Onehunga Sports Federation. Representatives of the Auckland Rugby Union, the Auckland Hockey Association, the Auckland Amateur Athletic Association, UiQ Onehunga and Old Buffers' Cricket Clubs, the Manukau Rovers Football Club and the Onchunga Football Club were present. The annual report, submitted by the president, Mr. J. E. Green, detailed the extensive improvements recently made in the Recreation Reservo of 30 acres, largely in tho nature of unemployment relief work. There are now ten football and hockey grounds, as a result of the expenditure of £2379 last year. Of this amount tho Patriotic Association gave £IOOO, 'donations amounting to £75 came from various sports bodies, including the Rugby Union, the Hockey Associatioo and tho Onchunga Sports Federation, and the balance was mado up by the Government subsidy. The Onehunga Borough Council has agreed to ear-mark for further improvements all future revenue received from grazing fees. Mr. Green urged upon all the clubs to support the fund. Ho pointed out that during the past 16 years the council had received £2i66 in grazing fees, and had spent only £555, leaving a profit to the ratepayers of £l6ll, or about £IOO a year. Tho council had agreed to subsidise donations pound for pound up to £IOO a year, and it would be asked* to pay a subsidy on tho £75 already donated. Mr. Green said tho council had shown its willingness to assist in keeping tho playing grounds in good order, and it was only fair that the clubs should pay their share. The delegates agreed to place this matter before their clubs. In the meantime it was decided to ask the Rugby Union, the Hockey Association and the Athletic Association to decide some of their largqr and more attractive fixtures on the Onehunga grounds, so that the charge for admission would provide for further improvements. Tho Onehunga Borough Council will be asked for an estimate of tho cost of rolling the ground and cutting the grass. Tho following officers were elected President, Mr. J. E. Green; secretary, Mr. W. Morton; treasurer, Mr. W. J. Tegg; committee, Messrs. C. J. Williams, H. Watti, R. Thomson and A. Playle.