SUNDAY SPORT

Wanganui Chronicle, 20 August 1947, Page 6

SUNDAY SPORT

CITY COUNCIL DEBATE MAJORITY GRANTS USE OF SPRIGGENS PARK

Some discussion on the question of Sunday sports gatherings in Wanganui followed two requests received by the City Council, at its monthly meeting last night, for permission to play Sunday Rugby matches on Spriggens Park. After the Mayor (Hon. W. J. Rogers, M.L.C.), had moved that the requests be granted, Cr. T. N. Dickson moved as an amendment that the council declare its policy regarding Sunday play. The amendment was lost, however, on a show of hands. The requests were from the Marist Football Club, for the use of Spriggens Park on Sunday, September 14, lor a match against the Hutt City Club, and from the Wanganui Railway Rugby Football Club, which asked for Spriggens Park on September 7. On that day a match will be played between the western and southern railway districts. After the Mayor had moved that the requests be granted, subject to the usual conditions, Cr. D.ckson said that Sunday play was becoming commercialised, and other organisations in Wanganui would not allow their grounds to be used on Sundays. "I would like to see this matter referred to the Reserves Committee and given further consideration," he added. ' The chairman of the Reserves Committee, Cr. J. F. Broad, said he would prefer to see this matter thrashed out by the full council. Two applications were before the council and one could not be treated any different from the other.

The Mayor said he was opposed to Sunday sport being commercialised, but it had to be remembered that the council had granted other organisations the right to arrange Sunday gatherings. “If people want to play good healthy sport on a Sunday, this council should not stop them,” said Cr. R. E. Jack.

Cr. Dickson, moving that the council define its policy regarding Sundaysport, said that he was opposed to organised sport on a Sunday. During the war years, when people were working a six-day week, it was a different matter. “Should not this matter be referred to the incoming council? asked the Mayor. He'recalled that the life ol the presenUcouncil was limited to a few months only.

Cr. S. J. Harris said railway men were required to work a six-day week. This was the reason why they played Rugby on a Sunday. “If we are going to debate the pros and cons of Sunday play we shall need another meeting," commented the Mayor. Cr. Dickson’s amendment, which was seconded by Cr. A. R. Donaldson, was lost on a show of hands and the council granted the two requests. It was stipulated, however, that the organisations concerned must not make a charge, and that members o, the public attending the matches were under no obligation to contribute in any way.