A POLO GROUND

Waikato Independent, Volume XXX, Issue 2318, 1 April 1930, Page 5

A POLO GROUND

NOT 'AT HAMILTON. ENTHUSIASTS ANNOYED. Keen disappointment that the Waikato A. and P. Association did not see fit to provide an area for polo on its grounds at Claudelands was expressed at the association's annual meeting on Saturday by some members who are also members of the Matangi Polo Club, says the Waikato Times. Mr W.'J.'R. Franklin, said the Polo Club had applied for the land inside the trotting course at Claudelands and could not understand why the association's committee had declined to entertain the proposal. The president (Mr T. Martin) stated that the committee had given the matter- some thought but had come to the conclusion that polo on the grounds would be more of a liability than an asset td the association.

Mr Franklin replied that he regretted the matter should be regarded in this light. A polo tournament on the association's grounds at Claudelands ■would he one of the finest assets it could have. \ If the Savile Cup were contested there, there would be 400 ponies competing which would mean a big influx of players and visitors. "I can tell you the polo people take this to heart," said Mr W. Ranstead. "They consider they have not had the consideration they are entitled to, especially as many of them are exhibitors and members of the association." Mr W. J. McKee said all the fences would have to be removed when each tournament was held and the holes created would not be easy to fill up again. Mr J. McNicol said the Polo Club had been antagonised at the association 's decision and there had been talk of resigning from the association. As one of the grounds committee, Mr W. Newell gave a comprehensive outline of the negotiations which had proceeded. He said it had been decided to postpone the matter until the' annual meeting. The association did hot wish to prejudice the Trotting Club, which he understood, had no intention of surrendering their ground. At this stage the discussion was abandoned in order to allow the election of officers to proceed, and no acr tion was tajken.