RE PORT CHALMERS SPORTS GROUND.

Evening Star, Issue 17484, 15 October 1920, Page 3

RE PORT CHALMERS SPORTS GROUND.

TO THB E3ITOE.

_ Sir.—The letter of "Two Yachtsmen" in your issue of 11th inst. makes very nice reading, and shows that at last the matter of pastimes of a healthy nature and facilities therefore are to receive some serious consideration. I wish, however, to correct their statement that certain speakers wished to put all the blame on the Port Chalmers Council for not p:«.viding grounds for all kinds of sport". I made certain reflections on our council, and not without cause. When a courteous invitation to attend a meeting was adto them it was minuted as "received." and when one councillor out of 10 attended it showed that not much sympathy was felt with the mwement. Add to that the fact that our only ground has been a hay paddock for the last two summers (children having been chased off it, so that the hay -would not be trodden down), I think the remarks re our council were quite in order. One could only admire our worthy Mayor for the manner in which he defended his councillors. He told us of all their good equalities, and very generously forgot their weaknesses. 1, like every other citizen in Port Chalmers, consider Mr Stevenson our most progressive man, and hope that he will get that idea of not being our next Mayor out of his head.

, The purpose of this letter is to assure 'Two Yachtsmen" and all others that those responsible for calling the public meeting do not look to be spoon-fed by the council. We have taken an active share in most sports, and onlv bv paying for our sport did we set satisfaction." When we have more facilities the clubs requiring grounds can have them only by paying, and I rely on our citizens to back us up in our requests to the Port Chalmers Council and the Otago Harbor Board to expediate the reclamation of Mussel Bay. There _is one clause in the letter "of "Two Yachtsmen" worthy of special remark: ' "We run our club purely find simply by our own members." If that refers to the management of the club, well and good ; but if it means "we, do not rely on outside assistance," then I must question the statement, as the shed and staging are the results of a bazaar and donations from outside. _ Let us hope, however, that the agitation now begun will do some good, and then we will have in good time facilities for all pastimes.—l am, etc., The Chairman of Meeting. Port Chalmers, October 12.