THE SPORTSGROUND

Taranaki Daily News, 8 April 1927, Page 9

THE SPORTSGROUND

MEETING .OF COMMITTEE. APPLICATIONS CONSIDERED. A meeting of the Pukekura Sportsground Committee wae held last night, when there were present: Messrs A. L. Humphries (chairman), J. McLeod, E. Jackson, G. Jago, A. J. Papps, C. N. Johnson, A. E. Kretchmar, O. Cook, A. T. Moore, J. Garcia and L. Little (honorary secretary). Star and Old Boys’ Football Clu.be were granted the use of the pavilion lor training purposes one evening per week. Some discussion took place over the allocation of the ground during the present football season. An application was received from Mr. Gorringe, secretary of the newly-formed North Taranaki Football Association, applying for the use of the ground one Saturday per month from April to September inclusive. The Rugby Union also applied for the use of the ground from April 23 to the end of the football season. The chairman did not see how the committee could accede to the request of the association. He pointed out that they were dependent on the revenue received from Rugby football for the upkeep of the ground. The upkeep of the ground was becoming more expensive each year, and they eould not afford to lose any gates. The North Taranaki Association was a new body, and he thought for the first year they should be satisfied if they were granted the use of the ground for special matches. The committee certainly could not afford to grant them the use of the ground one Saturday per month. Mr. Kretchmar favoured other sports bodies having the use of the ground. Mr. McLeod said that the proposal would make little difference to the Rugby Union financially, as on that Saturday the senior matches could be played on other grounds. It would, however, detrimentally effect the finances of the .committee. He pointed out that there would be an increase in the number of teams this year, which would make it difficult to provide playing grounds. The Football Association had already been granted the use of one ground on the racecourse, and were applying for the use of Western Park as well as Pukekura Park on one Saturday each month. This would mean that on some Saturdays the Union would have to find grounds to accommodate eight teams. The chairman moved that the committee regretted that it could not accede to the request, but that it would favourably consider applications for any special matches they may have to play during the season. It was stated that the Rugby Union would facilitate the association having the use of the ground on such occasion. It was also suggested that Soccer matches might be played as curtain raisers to popularise the game. The resolution was carried. The application from the Taranaki Rugby Union for the use of the ground from April 23 to the end of the season was granted on the same terms as last year. It was resolved that the proceeds of the seven-a-side tournament, approximately £4O, be handed over to the widowed mother of a footballer who recently died from injuries.