SPORT FOR SPORT’S SAKE.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 24 August 1925, Page 5

SPORT FOR SPORT’S SAKE.

MAYOiI OF CHRISTCHURCH SPEAKS. Speaking at- the Ciivie reception accorded to the members of the Australian Hockey team at Christchurch rerontly the Mayor (the Rev. J. K. Archer), in welcoming the visitors, . aid that tlie players .should not repaid the welcome as stiff /and formal, Alt rather as .free and easy. The inlerebamge of vfusitos of New urd Australian teams served the double pin poise of cultivating friendship between the two Dominionis and of rais,ng tlie general standard of play. In Austnaliia and New Zealand there was i .great devotion to sports of all kinds, in Christchurch 150 seven-a-side Rugby teams were turning out to play footcall. True, these players -.were only schoolboys, - but it was a fine record for x. city the size of Christchurch. The ,'peaker was a. lover of sport, but all .vould agree that sport should not take too firm- a hold on life, and should be cept in its place. Amateur sport would do this, and he Imped that those j rese n t wo-uild always set their back s against the introduction of profession•jfem into their sports. \ (Applause.) Hockey was the find team game, and it had been said that it was the parent of cricket and golf. He considered that in -some respects hockey was superior to cricket and golf, as in his experience of golf he spent three seconds in hitting tlie ball and thieequarters of an hour in looking for it. (Laughter.) Hockey • cultivated the team spirit. He welcomed the team to Christchurch and hoped that the better team would win. Wliatever the result, the visitors would play the game.