LEASE OF PARK

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22361, 6 March 1936, Page 14

LEASE OF PARK

PROTESTS AT OTAHUHU LEAGUE CODE'S GRIEVANCE CLAIM ON PLAYING RIGHTS Protests against the decision of the Otahuhu Borough Council to lease the pole football playing rights in Sturges Park to the Auckland Rugby Union this season, with the right of renewal for five years, were voiced last night by a deputation from the Auckland Rugby League. Mr. G. Grey Campbell, chairman of the management committee, and Mr. E. J. Phelan, deputy-chairman, accompanied by officials of the Otahuhu League Club. Mr. Campbell said the League interests complained they had had no opportunity of tendering for the use of the ground. The procedure adopted by the council was contrary to the usual principles adopted by local bodies controlling public parks. " The League people feel that an injustice has been done, as they were not advised that the co/uncil was prepared to consider tenders," added Mr. Campbell. In previous years clubs had been requested to make application for the ground, ho continued. From the date of the conference last August, when, according to the deputation's information, charges for the park were only suggested and discussed, the League officials had received no further word until the press report of the council's agreement with the union. " Jt is wrong to seek to make public parks revenue producing, and we conj sider all codes are entitled to a share I of playing rights'," added Mr. Camp- | bell. Ho urged the council to rescind | its previous resolution, j Mr. Phelan said he assumed the park ! had been donated for the use of the whole community, and all shorts bodies ' equally. In reply to questions, Mr. Grey i Campbell said the nature of the matches ' to bo played in the park did not api pear to be a concern of the council, if i it was iooking for revenue, j The Mayor, Mr. C. R. Petrie, M.P., ! said his reply would be on the same ! lines as he gave to the private deputa- | tion last week. The council saw that i the park was being commercialised for ! sport, and decided to fix definite charges | before football would be allowed this | year.

" The League officials ignored the council after the August conference, and the council could only conclude they were no longer interested in the park," added the Mayor.

In agreeing to receive the deputation, said Mr. Petrie, he had expected to hear some feasible schemo advanced Instead there had been nothing but criticism.

Mr. W. Bright: As a ratepayer I consider the council has takpn away our birthright. The Mayor: I won't have any more criticism.

Mr. Grey Campbell said the local club officials did not agree with the council's conclusions in regard to the conference last year. There had been some misunderstanding, and the officials asked to be heard on that point.

The Mayor: It would be a waste of time. I don't think it would alter the position.

The deputation then retired