"Sport" on the Sports.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume I, Issue 76, 6 December 1887, Page 2

"Sport" on the Sports.

Sib, —When I made reference, in my remark* on the Hospital Sports, to the action of certain church people I treated the point with a feeling of delicacy, and confesMd there might be reasons ot which I was ignorant tor ths course adopted ; but ths mild reference appears to have been taken as a personal reference to Mr MoAra, and my remSrks, if I mistake not. set down as “clamour.” The reasons adduced, however, leave a freer course open to me. I should be sorry to impute any uncharitablenes* to Mr MoAra, bat I do not think any church man will say Mr MoAra has no influence with hi* flock—that I hope is an unintentional misstatement. No one can question the right of individuals to spend a holiday in a way most suited to their taste, but there are other facts to be considered. St. Andrew’s day is not a publio holiday and bas only been made such because of the annual Hospital Fete. The day was taken because it interferes with no arrangement* for other holidays, and in the past this has always been recognised. On the previous holiday the Presbyterian Church had a monster picnic, in whioh they were supported by the Volunteers, the Band and the public, and one would think that they should have Acted in a deferential spirit on the Hospital day. They have a perfect right to enjoy themselves a* they please, but wa* it fair for them to get up an organised outing, and monopolise the second holiday also ? For my part I understand the sports were a great success: it is the principle that is being brought into question. The argument that provision must be made lor those who do not care to see racing and jumping does not require answering though, I may say one of the greatest causes for grumbling at the Presbyterian public picnic was that no provision for some such entertainment had been made, and their were competitors engaged for the Hospital sports who did not contest owing to the last picnic. It is strange, too, that while tlie Church is by profession an antagonist to horse-racing no advantage was taking of the last race holiday. I think the whole subject is one that would be better left alone than discussed in the public prints. It may lead to warm feeling, and the thing is a matter of the past ; in Ui- i iture no doubt anything of the kind will be guarded against.—l am, etc.,