QUEEN CARNIVAL

Opunake Times, 22 July 1947, Page 2

QUEEN CARNIVAL

MR. MICKEY'S STATEMENT BENEFIT TO RUGBY Mr. J. S. Hickey, chairman of the Management Committee of the Taranaki Rugby Union has issued the following statement in connection with the Taranaki Rugby Queen Carnival: "There appears to be some misunderstanding of tbe purpose of the Carnival being held throughout the Province by the Taranaki Football Clubs. The Carnival is being held to liquidate a debt of £5,000 incurred some years ago to develop Rugby Park, New Plymouth, and to secure the retention of the Show Grounds at llawera for rugby football. Even : without any provision being made for the repayment of this debt the charges upon it are a serious burden ,to the associated clubs, so much so, that, whereas previously the clubs were refunded 45 per cent, of their gate money it is now only possible to refund 20 per cent, of it.'

All the clubs readily accepted the responsibility for the two undertakings for which the debt was incurred and the resultant reduction in income from their "•ate takings, but they appreciate the effect these conditions lire having, not only on their own individual clubs, but on the game generally, and in preference to carrying the burden indefinitely they wholeheartedly supported the suggestion that a concerted effort be made by means of this carnival to wipe tint the debt and so place their (wn and the Union's finances on a sound footing for the future. \ The.security for the Hawera nortion of the debt is a, 21 year lease of the Show Grounds (renewable for a further 21 years) and that for the New Plymouth nortion is the freehold of Rugby Park itself, which may give the impression that the whole liability belong to Rugby-Park.

It has been said that the responsibility belong to New Plymouth. All the clubs have acknowledaed that it does not. Actually the three New Plymouth Clubs have always had home grounds of their own and are entitled to accept no : more _ than ■their share of the responsibility for the provision of a playing 'area, assure \ to' Rugby and able (o cater for a public of city populations. All Clubs in the Province are working hard to make the Carnival a success. I am confident that the required £5,00Q will be Mn hand by the first week in August, and with the desired relief assured, any money in excess of this amount goes direct to the clubs, so that the last or best ten days of the carnival will be for their benefit."