ADMISSION T0 THE RESERVE.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 16175, 11 July 1923, Page 9

ADMISSION T 0 THE RESERVE.

SETBACK FOR- RUGBY UNION. COUNCIL EXERCISES VETO. As owner of the borough reserves the Borough Council last night, exorcised the vein iii respect. to tho charge in Ihe price, of admission fixed by the Rugby Union. At one stage in tho discussion, iti appeared likely that the reserve would be made free to the public on Saturday next, as an indication that the Council retained full authority over the ground, though delegating certain rights to tht» Rugby Union. After some discussion it was decided, however, to ask the Rugby Union to revert to the.- Former scale of charges.

Strong exception io the aetioni of the Rugby Union tin raising the price of admission at- the reserve was taken by Cr. Mirfield, who raised the point. The Football Association, he said, bad agreed to take a- certain portion of tins gate on tho basis of 6d per male spectator, but if looked as though the Rugby Union was doing as it liked when they raised the price and charged ladies and children. He therefore moved that the Council notify the B-ugby Union that tho reserve) would, on Saturday next, be free to public and players alike, neither gate nor ground fees to be charged. Cr. Todd seconded the motion.

Cr. Coleman pointed out! that there was another side to the argument, as the LTnion was sending a representative team on tour, which would cost at least £250. They had no other method of finding the money than by charging extra, prices for admission. They contended that it was a- cheap afternoon's sport at the present rate of admission. Or. Collin supported the motion, oil the ground that the Union seemed to be attempting to dominate the borouigh reserves. There had been no mention of the touring team at the last meeting of tho Council, and yet as soon as they got an arrangement with the Council and tho Association, it raised the price. It looked to him like a direct slap at the Council and other sportsi bodies.

On, DeCosta asked whether the Council had any right, to dictate what prices should be charged. He asked, however, whether there was anything against the Union paying tho Football Association lvjd oni every shilling ticket.

The Mayor mentioned that when the Rugby Union representative was before the Council the discussion was all on the basis of a 6d gate charge on ordinary matches. Mr. Billcliffe had made a special point that ladies and children were not charged. Cr. Corson) supported this, and said ho had specifically asked Mr. Billcliffe about the gate charges. He thought they should ask the Union to return to tho old charge, and he moved in this direction.

Cr. DeCosta seconded the amendment. Cr. Hill declared that the principle of the thing was wrong, and the Union should bo given a lesson. .Cr. Todd held that the Union had not acted in good faith. Tho discussion was on tho basis of a gate charge of 6d per male adult.

Cr. Gray objected to this, stating that it was l clearly pointed out that the charge would be raised for intorprovincial and other special matches. Cr. Mirfield held that the Rugby Union wanted a lesson. Or. Gray said that the Council should define what it was trying to do; to protect tho public, to protect the Soccer people, or simply to getl one on to the Rugby Union. They should not be antagonistic. There was no need for tho discussion, considering that there was no complaint before the Council. Cr. Coleman pointed out that while the raising of the price looked fishy, coining so soon after the arrangement with the Soccer people, he had been assured, however, that the soccer people were not being exploited. He urged the Council to consider what other means of revenue the Union' would have if the Council took this source away. Tho Soccer people werei actually benefiting from the change. The Union was not, as Cr. Hill had said, «*i wealthy body. Cr. Hill: They've/got it all out at interest.

Cr. Gray again spoke briefly on tho position as between the Soccer and Rugby people. -i

The Mayor said that tho duty of the Council was to protect tho public in the use of the reserve. While be agreed that the Union wanted to have it pointed out that tho Council was going to have a./say in the matter, he thought the amendment would meet the need of tho moment. '

Or. Mirfield said ho was agreeable to withdrawing the motion. Tho amendment then' became tho motion, and was carried, Cr. Collin dissenting on the ground that the amendment wasi not drastic enough.