HAWERA RUGBY GROUND

Taranaki Daily News, 27 March 1934, Page 9

HAWERA RUGBY GROUND

POSITION STILL UNCERTAIN DECISION REACHED BY UNION. FINAL STAGE OF NEGOTIATIONS. BAYLY PARK AS ALTERNATIVE. The Taranaki Rugby Union last night decided to offer the Egmont A. and P. Association 15 per cent, of the gross gates for the lease of the showgrounds for football purposes for a period of 21 years, and failing acceptance of those terms by April 4 the union will be recommended to immediately proceed with the development of Bayly Park for use this season. Negotiations have been in train with the Egmont A. and P. Association for some time. The latest negotiations were explained by the chairman, Mr. J. McLeod, who stated that sub-committees from both bodies had met at Hawera on January 31, when the whole position had been discussed for over two hours. The upshot was that they .had finished about where they started. . . Mr. McLeod reported the negotiations in detail. Since then, he said, an offer had been received from the A. and P. Association on the basis of payment of a flat rental of £lOO a year for- 21 years. His opinion, however, was that it would be a serious thing to commit the union to payment of a flat rental over that period. He considered it would be a more businesslike proposition to work on a percentage basis. He was personally of opinion that on a 15 per cent, basis the A. and P. Association would never receive less than £lOO per annum, but should it happen that it did, the association should also be prepared to share the risk. The association should be prepared to share in any gamble over the question of gates. ; IVir. "W. A. Guy *was against making any long-term agreement with the association. They must look after the interests of the rising generation and should secure a ground of their own, he said. DUTY OWED TO HAWERA. Mr. J. S. Hickey said the committee owed a duty to do its best to provide Hawera with’ suitable playing grounds, but he considered the best offer the A. and P. Association was .making was not good enough. He pointed out . that £lOO per annum was 4 per cent, on £2500, which would be' sufficient to- build a stand: on, Bayly. Park and equip that ground. He deprecated the, idea that Bayly Park -was too small; the ground was larger than the Waikato ground. Fitting up Bayly Park was the best solution of the difficulty. Mr Guy pointed out .that there was no guarantee that the Wellington and St. Patrick’s College games would always be played. The chairman: Common business tells us that as long as the Hawera Winter Show is carried on the Rugby Union will arrange an attraction at Hawera. Mr. E. R. Coutts favoured going to Bayly Park. ' A member asked what would be the position if the A. and P. Association did not carry on. The chairman said there was little danger of that as the association was now in a sound financial position. Mr. Rowe remarked that many who had recently assisted the association out of its financial difficulties were keenly interested in football. The union was out to get a ground at Hawera in °f d er to foster football in South Taranaki. It was always willing to let other organisations use the ground and its temporary stands free of charge. The Hawera Football Club had also spent over £2OO in improvements. Mr. Hickey: Do you still hold hopes of coming to some reasonable arrangement. THOUGHT IT A GOOD OFFER. Mr. J. Rowe said he thought there was. Members of the association still thought they were making the union a good offer. The union, however, could not give any guarantee that the Wellington match would always be played at Hawera. The chairman said that the Wellington union might ask that the venue be changed, but no doubt the union would be able to arrange another match. The chairman said it would cost the union at least £l5O per annum for the upkeep of Bayly Park, including the erection of a stand. There would also be revenue obtained from the use of Bayly Park by other organisations. Wlule Bayly Park could be made an attractive ground for the public and players, the fact that there were three playing grounds on the showgrounds appealed. The union, however, should state how far it was prepared to go with the showgrounds and it should be a case of m or out.” The union could erect a stand to seat 2000 people at a cost of £l5OO and could have it ready for the big match this season. . • - Mr. Guy moved that the union play all senior matches this year on Bayly Park and make application to play junior matches in King Edward Park and dower grade matches on the school ground. The union would know where it stood. Mr. Hickey seconded the motion. The chairman in moving .< the amendment indicated above stated that he favoured having a final talk with the A. and P. Association. Mr. Furrie seconded on condition mat failing acceptance the union proceeded at once with the preparation of Bayly The chairman said the A. and P. Association was a kindred organisation and it would be to the benefit of both organisations as well as the town of Hawera if the union could come to some arrangement The amendment was carried.