OLYMPIC TEAM FUNDS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 27 March 1928, Page 9

OLYMPIC TEAM FUNDS.

(To the Editor.) 'Sir, —Wlrat “'Physical Culfcurist ha's to say in your last night’s “Star 7 ’ has much therein to comm end it, and his well drafted letter appeals to one’s judgment. However, he is considerably out in some of his facts, .but that is really neither here nor there. In the main his case is well stated and his facts well put-. I think though, that one of his st-aferiieUt's should be corrected as to fact) naitoely, that one relating to the response of the Hawera Amateur Athletic Club to the Olympic Council’s request. He says: “I noticed the local club had been requested by the Olympic Council to advise what amount could be promised by the Hawera Club towards defraying their representative’s expenses. The response by the club was to the effect that if they contributed under those conditions it would m'ake Lay a professional.’’ 'The facts are that the Hawera A.A. Club was never asked to provide funds for Lay alone, but for the Olympic team and this in accord with the canons of good sportsmanship and amateurism. With “Physical Culturist ’ ’ mclub also finds fault in the lackadaisical, unmethodical and dilatory efforts of the New Zealand Olympic Association in its appe'al to the public of Lay’s district. The New Zealand Council ih November last notified the Ifa we fa A. A. Club that the council would organise a collection in this district, but frtoiii then until a few days ago nothing was heard from the council and -the Hawera A.A. Club lightly understood that the council had the matter of collection well in hand. However, it seems to be another example of the old case of what is everybody’s business is nobody’s business. That aspefet of the' question is however beside the real point. The point is “funds.” The Hawera A.A, Club is not the Olympic Council and had no hand in the selection of its personnel. Judged b.v the standard of our club the council lacks organising ability, but let it go at that. The Hawera A.A. Club hlas voted £ls to the team fund, has written for .contributions to all sporting and relevant bodies ill our district of South Taranaki, has aimed e'aeli committee member with a. Canvassing list, and hlas appointed three trustees to receive the South Taranaki contributions. All supporters, however, cannot be got in touch with by these means. Voluntary subscriptions, and not those (Canvassed for, are always particularly appreciated. Now that the road is cleared by Culturist’s” attack and appeal, the trustees have asked the “Star” proprietors to open a collection list, which they have kindly consented to do, and all subscriptions received will be recorded in the “Star.” The trustees have headed the list with my club’s donation of £ls. One and all are now invited to subscribe freely and help this fund if only to advertise New Zealand b3' our Olympic team. Lay was official13’- the first member selected for the team, and we have definite knowledge that he is to go to Amsterdam. In the name of m3’ club I now appeal to the public to send in subscriptions with spontaneity and enthusiasm to lighten the task of collection. I ask this in the interests of sportmanship and amateurism generally. I am, etc., W. A. SPRIAGIG, President, Hawera Amateur Athletic Club. March 27, 1928.