SUNDAY TENNIS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21983, 14 December 1934, Page 14

SUNDAY TENNIS

VICTORIA PARK BAN

CITY COUNCIL'S DECISION

DIVISION OF OPINION VOTING ELEVEN TO TEN The City Council last night declined to grant permits to play tenuis at Victoria Park on Sundays. It was stated by the Mayor, .Mr. G. W. Hutchison, that the recent amendment to the bylaw relating to Sunday play did not make it possible for permits to be granted for this park. The council had before it an application made by Mr. C. Bailey, a member of the council, and 11 others for permission to play tennis at Victoria Park 011 Sundays after December 1, when the new by-law became effective. The town clerk, Mr. J. S. Brigham, reported that the deputy-mayor, Mr. A. J. Entrican, while considering that it was questionable whether Victoria Park was laid out exclusively as a playing area, authorised the playing of tennis on December 2 and 9, pending a decision of the council in regard to the application. Nature 0! Park It was also reported that on December 2 there were 55 players and that 23s was collected in fees. Play started at 7.30 a.m. and the last game finished at 7.45 p.m., the caretaker being on duty the whole time to collect fees. If hours were not restricted it would bo necessary to have a man on duty from 7.30 a.m. 'to 7.30 p.m. and *wages at double time would amount to £2 3s 9d. A further application was received from Mr. T. H. Lansdale and 19 others for permission to play on Sundays, while the Women's Christian Temperance Union wrote protesting against permission being granted. The Mayor moved that all applications for playing at Victoria Park on Sundays be declined. Where play was to be held on grounds laid out exclusively as playing areas there could be no objection, but in parks of a composite nature, where people were able to take a quiet walk, they might feel hurt at the sight of people playing there. He said the by-law was designed to exclude Victoria Park. The motion was seconded by Mr. J. Donald. Afternoon Play Sought Mr, C. Bailey moved that play be allowed on the Victoria Park courts on Sundays between the hours of 1.30 p.m. and 6 p.m. > The amendment was seconded by Mr. W. T. Anderton, who said that in the event of the amendment not beinc carried, he would prosecute a campaign to permit of play on the Domain courts on Sundays. When the amendment was put it was declared lost and on a division being called for, the voting was 10 for the amendment and 11 against. The voting was as follows: For the Amendment. —Messrs. J, A. Mason, J. W. Yarnall, C. Bailey, A. Rosser, E. F. Andrews, J. L. Coakle.v, J. Sayegh, W. T: Anderton, E. J. Phelan and the Hon. T. Bloodworth. Against.—The Mayor, Misses E. Melville and A. Basten, and Messrs. A. J. Entrican, D. Donaldson, J. Donald, M. O. Coyle, M. J. Bennett, S. Takle, H. P. Burton, and G. Grey Campbell. The motion was then carried. The Rationalist Association and Sunday Freedom League wrote asking the council to receive a deputation, which would request that playing areas under tho council's jurisdiction should be kept open to children on Sundays. It was decided to inform the association that the Parks Committee would receive the deputation.