PLAYING GROUNDS.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXIII, 29 April 1927, Page 5

PLAYING GROUNDS.

FOR FOOTBALL. At a meeting of tlio Timani Borough Council a fortnight ago, a committee consisting of tijre Mayor and Councillors Sattorthwaite and Hart was appointed to go into t'oo question of the allocation of football grounds. At the meeting of the Council on Saturday night, the committee reported that they had met the following representatives o’f the various sports Associations: —For the Rugb/ Union, Messrs McKcaguo and Watson ; for the Association code, Bcv. C. W. Duncumb and Mr Drummond, and also Mr Burns, to take Rev. Duncumb’s place when the latter had to leave ; for the School Sports Association, Messrs Calder and Oram. The Mayor said it was desirable that each sporting body should get the best possible use of the grounds available, and it was the desire of tho Council to suit everybody as far as possible, and to sec that all concerned had a fair deal in the matter. Air Duncumb emphasised the fact that Russell Square was less than the minimum ground required for tho Association code purposes; and in reply stated that the Association code had 92 players, and that they had one grade and four teams with an average of 43 players, playing each Saturday. The Rugby representatives stated that they had 41 teams cf 16 players each Saturday afternoon, and had to include throe grounds in Washdyke. It was costing the Rugby Union approximately £6O per annuiiy, plus rent, for the' Caledonian Grounds, and railare, and they would be satisfied with the same arrangements as last year. The Mayor suggested that the Rugby Union should agree to give the Soccer one full-sized ground, and that tho Rugby Union be satisfied with olio smaller-sized ground in consideration of all its other grounds. Tlte School Spc-rts Association’s representatives pointed out that last year they had 20 teams of tho Rugby code. Owing to tho Mayor having to leave, tho conference terminated without finality, it being agreed that the conference representatives should confer with a view to some suitable arrangements.

On Wednesday, April 20, Mr McKeague called to see tbe town clerk, and stated that be bad seen Mr Drummond of tho Association game, but that thev could not come to any agreement. Mr McKeague stated that he proposed to report to the next meeting of the Rugby Union that the Council be asked to call a second conference, so that tbo various representatives may state tbeir case, and then leave tbe matter to the Council to decide. Mr Drummond also stated that the Soccer Association would leave tho matter to the Council to do the fp ; ” tiling.

The Mayor said lie was disapnointed with the result of the conference. Tliev should do their best to encourage good hoadiliv sprrt. Personally, be was a Rugby enthusiast, but he thought that at least one good ground should bo '•et, aside for Soccer nln.vers. (Hear, ’'oar.) They could do nothing that "'"lit, as- tlie committee had not been hie to "lake o recommendation. Councillors Clrittoek and Hawkey snoke in of tlip Mayor's remarks, the latter stating that they must, not foi'e-ef to provide a playing area for the children.

The Mavor soul that the children's p’yvground would not ho interfered with.