"A FAIR DEAL”

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 11304, 1 September 1922, Page 6

"A FAIR DEAL”

RUGBY LEAGUE AND GROUNDS. DEPUTATION TO CITY COUNCIL. The vexed question of the playing areas allotted to League football players in Wellington was discussed .fay a deputation from the_ New Zealand Rugby League which waited on the City Council last evening. Dr Thacker, M.P., patron of the New Zealand League, said that they asked thp council as "sports” to give its players a fair deal in the matter of playihg areas. ' The League desired grounds in the city for representative matches in September and October, but the objection had been raised' that if the application were granted the ground would be rendered unfit for the opening of the cricket season. In refutation of this argument, he pointed out that the best cricket grounds in the world were capable of preparation for cricket within a very short period. He intimated, in conclusion, that the League proposed to ask the Mayor to hold a civic reception in honour of the Australian team when they arrived, and he hoped there would be no ill-feeling ehown during the visit. Mr J. S. Dickson, M.P., also spoke in support of the deputation's representations. In reply to Councillor M. F. Luckie, Dr Thacker said that the Australian authorities had arranged the dates and that accounted for. the visit dashing with the cricket season. In reply, the Mayor (Mr R. A. Wright, M.P.) said he could understand there were several good reasons for objection, particularly in view of the cricket season, but he assured the deputation that its representations would receive proper consideration. The matter was referred to the reserves committee.