FOR THE SOLDIERS

Evening Post, Volume XC, Issue 85, 8 October 1915, Page 4

FOR THE SOLDIERS

A CHRISTMAS GIFT MEETING OF SPORTS BRANCHES. Various branches of amateur sport ■were represented at a meeting held at Banks' College last night, called for the purpose of devising a. Dominion scheme to provide Christmas gifts for our boys at the Dardanelles. Mr. C. 6. Wilson presided, and in opening the proceedings announced that Mr. H. Amos had, in spite of ill-health, accepted the position of hon. secretary. Mr. A. Marryatt. said that th« idea was that in each centre every sports body should set up a committee which would be able to act at a moment's notice in support of any of their rights which might be threatened. That was only one portion of the proposed movement. The other idea was that, through their combination, they should arrange to send a Christmas gift of tobacco and sweets to every British soldier at the Dardanelles, as a gift from the sports bodies o£ New Zealand. He wa« told, also, that there waa a great necessity for recruiting, and he contended that a combination of sports bodies would be well qualified to assist in such a movement. Most of the capable sporte had already gone or were going, and the representatives of sport were the men best able to carry on the recruiting campaign. (Hear, hear.) As to the Christmas gifts, he pointed out that for the Belgian Relief Fund £4000 was raised in shillings at an expenditure of £20, and he believed that an equally good result would be achieved, on this occasion. Their aim was to raise £10,000 ; nothing less would be any use. The Mayoress, who had been working at high pressure, had offered to do all in her power for the promotion of the scheme. (Applause.) In answer to a question, Mr. Marryatt said that if the gifts were labelled "Kia Ora ! A Gift from New Zealand," there was no. chance of their being sold in the canteens, and, therefore, every chanoe of their reaching the men at the front. Mr. G. Hill stressed the need of bringing about a federation of sports bodies for the protection of their mutual interests. Many things had occurred in the past to demonstrate the necessity for auch a combination. Mr. Marryatt at this stage announced that the bodies represented at the meeting were: The Wellington Boxing Association, the Wellington Football Association, the Wellington Swimming Centre, the Wellington Cricket Association, the Wellington Rugby Union, the Wellington Amateur Athletic Association, the tho New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association, the New Zealand Tennis Association, the Wellington Rowing Council, the Wellington Golf Association, and the Wellington Bowling Centre. In answer to a question, the Chairman said he had little doubt but that arrangements could be made with a reputable Home firm to send our men at the front tho gifts which it was proposed to send. The organisation was complete, and if the principle was affirmed there would be very little delay in raising the money, sending it Home, and having the gifts sent out to the trenches in time for Christmas. Mr. Marryatt moved that the meeting resolve itself into a committee for the purpose of raising funds for Christmas gifts from the amateur sports of New Zealand for the troops at the Dardanelles and in Samoa. The motion was seconded by Mr. R. B. Grange and carried unanimously. On the motion of the Chairman, it ■was decided that the delegates bring before their various bodies the question of federation referred to earlier in the evening. The appointment of Mr. Amos as hon. secretary was formally and unanimously confirmed, amid applause. He was also appointed hon. treasurer to the fund. It was also decided to arrange for a social evening at the Town Hall with the object of bringing together representatives of all classes of sport in the city. Committees were set up to carry out the objects proposed, and it was stated that they would commence work at once.