THE WORD “SPORTSMAN”

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 8 January 1927, Page 13

THE WORD “SPORTSMAN”

At a function in connection with the installation of the new Lord Mayor in London, there .was an unexpected inquiry into the word “sportsman.” The Recorder of Loudon, after running through the story of Sir Rowland Blades’ many and diverse activities, neatly introduced his cricketing prowess.

This imperfect summary, he said, may suffice to illustrate the versatile virility of the man. Probably the secret lies in the fact that in youth he was, and in manhood he is, a devotee of games (I eschew the discredited word “sportsman”), particularly cricket, golf aud lawn tennis. Happily .1 may in this connection speak in the present tense, for he still plays, and is a member of the 1 Zingari, Free Foresters, Incogniti. and M.C.C. 'Moreover, he helped to revive Parliamentary cricket, a welcome revival.

The 'Lord Chancellor, in welcoming as Lord Mayor “one who is so closely connected with my own county of Sursery, both as magistrate and as member for one of the Parliamentary divisions, ’ ’ commented on this sporting passage. Addressing Sir Rowland Blades, he said:— The learned Recorder has referred to vour liking for our national sports. There is one word—and only one—in his address which I shall feel disposed to question. The Recorder is a master of the English language, but when, he says that the word “sportsman” is in any way discredited, I am not sure that 1 wholly agree with him. The word still represents one who its attached to those great sports—not only the sport connected with the Parliamentary division which you, my Lord Mayor-Elect, represent, but other sports iu which you have taken, and still take, so admirable a part. 1 am glad to salute as sportsman, as well as citizen of London, one who in every way has given his support to those qualities which have helped to make Englishmen and Scotsmen what they are.

It cannot be thought, perhaps, that we kuow much more about the word “sportsman” after this eschewal and acceptance. But at least the little discussion introduced cricket.and ‘‘other sports” where they are seldom mentioned aloud.