TENNIS COURTS LEASE

Waikato Times, Volume 106, Issue 17836, 8 October 1929, Page 9

TENNIS COURTS LEASE

DOMAIN BOARD’S ATTITUDE

AN EASIER SITUATION. CLUB WILLING TO SIGN. The position that has arisen between the Hamilton Tennis Club and ihe Domain Board over the lease of tile domain area where the club has its courts was discussed at a special meeting of the executive of the club last night. The chair was occupied by the president (Mr IT. D. McFarland). At the opening of the meeting Air McFarland requested an amendment of the minutes to the effect that he was requested to attend the last meeting of the Domain Board by the committee.

The meeting agreed that Mr McFarland's attendance on the Domain Board was with its consent, and the minutes were amended accordingly. A letter from Air D. Seymour, which was published earlier in the week in the Waikato Times, dealing with Mr McFarland’s interview with the board, was read and formally received. Mr McFarland said he had prepared a report on the matter of his interview with the hoard. Further than this he was not prepared to say anything. This report, which appeared in full in yesterday’s issue of the Times, was adopted.

Mr King remarked that no one doubted that Mr McFarland went to the board with a sincere desire to assist the club. Perhaps Mr McFarland was a little impetuous, and so anxious to assist the club that lie “riled” members of the board. While undoubtedly Mr McFarland had the interests of the club at heart, the speaker said he could quite understand and was in sympathy with the attitude of the board that “we have been feeding you for seven years, and if you won't pay, vacate.” Question of the Lease. Mr W. G. Fabling said the trouble obviously was the question of the lease. The negotiations had been going on for years, and the - board seemed to have arrived at the position when it was ready to say “Sign or get out.” It was understood by the committee that Mr McFarland should wait on the hoard quite unofficially, but with instructions to do certain things. The committee at its last meeting were all perfectly satisfied with the necessity of signing the lease. They also went into the question of rates, and all agreed that unless the club got a remission of rates they could not sign the lease, as the club could not be responsible for both. The Borough

Council had intimated that it was not prepared to remit the rates. As the ground was assessed at £II,OOO unj improved value the rates would be | about £243. The speaker said he had { been informed that if the club applied to Hie Valuation Department a lower I assessment might be made in' view ol I the purpose for which the land was j used. Even then the club would be ! responsible for about £l7O. The speaker added that he s understood the | future policy of the council was to charge rates on all sports grounds. Mr R. AlcCaw thought the Domain Board might be prepared to share the rent with the Borough Council whicli would accept this in lieu of rates. Mr King doubled if the council would have power to do this. Mr Fabling wondered if the board would accept rent without insisting on the signing of a lease. The club would then, of course, have no security of tenure. Air McCracken said the club was really just as anxious to sign the lease as the board was, provided the clause dealing with the rates was omitted. If the board was not agreeable to this perhaps it would see its way to pay the rates.

Mr McFarland did not think the board would consent to pay the rates. Mr McCracken: “I think, at any rate, we should forward the £23 for the current year’s rent." Mr King: “It seems to me that we may expect a manifesto from the board telling us to sign or get out. Mr McCracken: “I feel sure if the board sees we are earnest in our desire to pay they will not take any drastic action.” Mr King: “When, of course, we look at the matter from the public point of view the public might say ‘Here is a small section of sporting people. Why should we pay for their sport?’ ” The speaker did not think, however, that tiie public would lake Ibis view, knowing that the grounds were used for sport only and not for gain. Great Asset to Town.

Mr McCracken pointed out that during the season approximately 3000 tennis players used the courts, which were the central ones for a wide area. Approximately 250 players played there every Saturday, quite apart from the number of competitions held there. The courts, therefore, were a great asset to the town. Mr King pointed out that most of the tennis players were young, and could not afford to pay high fees. Mr McCracken reminded members that the club was considerably better off than it was seven years ago. It then had an indebtedness of over £ISOO, which now had fallen to £989. lie mentioned that the Hamilton Club had voluntarily taken over the liability of First Church in connection with its early occupation of the courts. Mr King said the club must not forget that it was subleasing part of the land, for which it was paying no rent, for the annual sum of £SO. Mr McFarland remarked that this money was w'holly used in the maintenance of the courts. Mr King expressed the opinion that a mistake had been made, and the club ; had to climb down from the position j in which it had now found itself. ; They would now have to go to the : board cap in hand, as the board was on the box seat, whichever way they i looked at it. It was finally decided to write to : the board expressing Ihc view of the executive as opposed to the impres- j si on which was erroneously conveyed ; by the personal views of the president. |

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