FOOTBALL GROUND FEES.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume L, Issue 16607, 10 December 1924, Page 7

FOOTBALL GROUND FEES.

ASSOCIATION COMPLAINS

The receipt of u communication from the Poverty Bay Football Association, with reference to the ground fees charged for the use of the reserve, was the occasion for a lengthy debate at the Borough Council last evening. The matter, was brought forward in a letter from the, secretary, of the IMS. Football Association, who wrote acknowledging the Council's demand for payment of ground fees alleged to be owing by his association. He was directed to inform them that no payment would be made until such time as the Council ticceded to the reasonable request that the whole matter should be discussed between tile Council and the association's representatives.

Cr. Mircfild: How much is owing?

The. Town Clerk : £29. The Mayor said that the letter had been before the reserves committee, who could not see their way to alter their decision.

Cr. Bickford moved that the letter be received.

Cr. Hill thought that the letter should not be treated discourteously. The association was not getting a fair deal from the Council. There were other associations up against it, and it should not he forgotten that soccer did not get the fees that Rugby did. The Council should hear what the representatives had to say. Cr. Bickford said that on the last occasion when the reserves committee made their decision the deputation had expressed themselves as entirely satisfied with the fees charged. Since then new representatives had been appointed to the football association, and they seemed to think they were going to play football with the Council. (Laughter.) Cr. Todd said that the thing was not as simple as it looked. The Association contended that there had been a misunderstanding and although he did not approve of the tone of the letter he did not think they should meet discourtesy with discourtesy. There seemed to be a, personal misunderstanding in the matter.

Cr. Coleman thought that from the tone of the letter they should receive it. The Association was holding a pistol to the head of the Council. The reserves committee had met the officers of the Association, and' they had been satis, lied with the terms. If the new officers of the Association wanted to lead the Council, they should write courteously. If there was going to he trouble over the ground it should be thrown open to the public to play, and no charge made for admittance.

Cr. DeCosta thought that a letter should be written to the Association, pointing out that the past officers of the Association had been satisfied with the terms.

Cr. Collin said that he agreed with the policy of throwing open the ground free. The hoekev players were paving the same as the soccer people, and, were perfectly satisfied. It seemed that (lie, Football Association was trying to get, an advantage.

The motion to receive the letter was carried.

CY. Hill : I want my vote recorded. (Laughter.) Cr. Collin (to the press): Take it down. Ho wants you to record it. (Renewed laughter.) The letter was received.