St. Patrick's Sports Association.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXII, Issue 6556, 28 April 1905, Page 2

St. Patrick's Sports Association.

SMOKE CONCERT.

A smoke concert was held at the Commercial Hotel last evening m connection with the Ashburton St. Patrick's Day Sporta Association. The chair was occupied by His Worship the Mayor (Mr H. Davis), Mr John MoLachlan, M.H.R., occupying the vice-chair. Apologies for absence were received from Mr 0. A. C. Hardy, M.H.E., the President, Secretary, and Treasurer of the Temuka Cycling Club, Messrs E. Jfordon, B. J. Righton, I. Cox, and others. Eefreshments having being partaken of, Mr Geoffry Porter proposed the toast of '♦ Motoring," which was responded to by the chairman and Mr W. Turtill. Mr W. G. Eoberts, m an appropriate speech, proposed the toast of " Successful Competitors" at the Association's recent sporta meeting. He coupled with the toast the names of Messrs Watson, C. Baker, and P. Healey— These gentlemen responded m suitable terms. In a lengthy speech, Mr A. J. TyrellBaxter proposed the health of " Athletes and cyclists." It was hardly necessary for him to say that athletics from a general point of view improved young fellows physically and invariably brought out and developed the most noble and'manly traits of character. In traversing the past history of the Association, the speaker regretted the smallaess of the support accorded the Association at its last meeting, and referred to the hearty support tendered by the offi•iftls, Messrs W. Page and W, Childs responded briefly. In proposing "The St. Patrick's Day Sports Association," Mr F. Kobilliard referred to the kindly feeling existing between that body and kindred Sports Clubs m Ashburton, but regretted the apparent apathy of the Ashburton public as regards sports meetings. No matter how popular a programme was put on by any club, the public did not give the support it merited, tie desired to couple with the toast the names of Messrs Jas. Brown and Geo. Porter. Mr Browri, m responding, said that the Association had done its best to foster sport generally. At the present time it had 32 paying members, and if the last sporta meeting had been a success the Association would have put on a much better programme next year. Under the circumstances, however, with the limited funds m hand and without more support from the public, very little encouragement was held out to the Association Mr Porter also referred to the poor support tendered by the public, and threw out several suggestions whereby public enthusiasm could be aroueed. The toast of " Kindred Sporting Clubs " was proposed by Mr D. Moriarty, who associated with the toast the names of Messrs F. Robilliard (representing the A.A. C. & A.C.) and John Moriarty (the Temuka Cycling Club) —The two last named speakers touched on the working of the St. Patrick's Sports Association m the past and the inadequate support accorded sporting clubs by the Ashburton public. At this juncture the Chairman said he had a most important and pleasing duty to mm —in presenting to Mr Jauies Brown (Secretary) a handsome cap and Maltese cross, suitably inscribed. He was given to understand that Mr Brown had refused to accept any remuneration for his secretarial duties, and the gifts he had handed to Mr Brown were a sure sign that that gentleman's services had been fully appreciated. Mr Brown briefly responded, and said that the services he had tendered the St. Patrick's Sports Association had been discharged whole heartedly. Mr John McLachlan, M.H.E., proposed " The Agricultural and Pastoral Interests of the Ashburton Community." A great deal had been said about motoring, cycling, and sporting generally, but it must be recognised that the mainstay of the Ashburton County was the farmers. In conclusion, Mr MoLachlan said he would be wanting m his duty if he did not extol Ashburton as the premier agricultural and pastoral County m the Australasian Colonies. He coupled with the toast the names of Messrs J. B. Christian and M. Moriarty, senr. Messrs Christian and Moriarty responded. In proposing the toast of "The House of Eepresentatives," the Chairman said that he could not do full justice to such an important toast m the time at his disposal. He desired to associate with the toast the name of Mr McLachlau, the representative of the Ashburton electorate. In his official position as Mayor of Ashburton, he had on many occasions to apply to the representative of the electorate for assistance m furthering the interests of ABhburtcn. Needless to aay, that support had invariably been given by Mr McLachlan with commendable promptitude. He felt assured that the electors would return Mr McLachlan at the next election with even a larger majority than had been recorded m the past. (Applause.) Mr McLachlan briefly responded. He had done his best to further the interests of the people of Ashburton and would continue to do so to the best of his ability. He felt that he had held the confidence of the people of Ashburton, and he would feel honoured to retain that confidence, which had been so liberally extended to him. (Applause ! and cheers). Several other toasts were proposed, including "The Chairman," and "The Press." During the evening songs were rendered by Messrs P. Healey, J. Brown, H. A. Flower, J- Burgess, Ed. Thomas, W. G. Roberts, and F. Healey ; recitations, Messrs F. Eobilliard and J. Moriarty; whistling solo, Mr A. Stock. The accompaniments were played by Mr Sullivan, and altogether the gathering was a success.