MUTUAL SPORTS PROTECTION

Auckland Star, Volume XLIII, Issue 142, 14 June 1912, Page 6

MUTUAL SPORTS PROTECTION

. A attended ranetin? of sportsmen was lield in Holmes' Hail, Onetiunga, last evening, for the purpose of forming a branch of the Auckland Mutual Sports Protection Association. Mr .T. B. Morton presided, and in opening the meeting said that the Auckland Association had become an established and active organisation, and had already proved its usefulness to sportsmen. He pointed to the absolute need for protective measuii§s to ba taken. There were some sports as horseracing, and coursing—that required to have connected with them facilities for public betting-, otherwise they could not succeed. As this betting would go on anyhow, and in spite of restrictions, he believed it should be open and aboveboard. and properly controlled. The Auckland Association was a democratic organisation, the management of which was entirely in the hands of the members. Mr R. A. Armstrong, hon. secretary of the Association, was present by invitation, and outlined the objects Qf the movement. In reply to a question, he said the action of the New Zealand Sports Protection League, in endeavouring to override the Auckland Association, which was firmly established, and had the official support of a number of branches of sport, certainly teiidnd to lend colour to the statement that had been made In the South that the New Zealand League existed for the protpction of flip totalisator only. The policy of the Auckland Association was in the hands of the members, and under its constitution no one branch of sport couid possibly control its operations. A resolution formins the branch was carried, and the following officers elected:— Chairman. Mr J. B. Morton: hon. secretary and treasurer, Mr S. Child; committee, Messrs Tole, Reynolds, S. Fletcher. Pi> RsffertjvE. Strong, and Siebert Considerable enthusiasm was displayed, and voluntary subscriptions were secured sufficient to place tie branch in a sound financial position.