OLYMPIC SPORTS CLUB.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20024, 14 August 1928, Page 11

OLYMPIC SPORTS CLUB.

PROPOSAL FOR AUCKLAND.

DELEGATES FAVOUR SCHEME.

THE QUESTION OF FINANCE. A gathering of sportsmen, including followers of League football, hockey, tennis, Association football, bowling, rowing, cycling, swimming, athletics and tramping, was unanimous last evening in the wish to inaugurate an Olympic Sports Club in Auckland and almost unanimous in predicting the success of the venture.

Sir George Fowlds, who presided, stressed the desirability of such a club, giving as an _example the success of similar institutions in other psrts of the world. It would serve to increase the interest in all- sports. The building which would contain the proposed club—that in which the meeting was held —was, he thought, eminently suitable. The purchase price was £12,500. There was a mortgage of £7500 and it was proposed to raise the balance on a long-term of about 20 years, with provision for a sinking fund of two per cent. It was felt that 14 guarantors could be easily found for the sum of £7OOO necessary to complete the purchase and furnish the club. The committee estimated the receipts annually at £3637, made up of £2IOO in subscriptions from senior members at £1 each, £525 from junior members, and £262 10s from lady members at 10s 6d eacl], together with £750 from revenue from the proposed ballroom and meeting rooms. The expenditure would amount to £2425, leaving an estimated credit balance of £1212. There were 205 sports clubs in Auckland, and over 10,000 players taking part in sport. This should form a good basis for membership. Sir George also outlined the various features which it was hoped to incorporate in the social life of the club.

Federation of Sport. Mr. A. T. Davies, who was president of the Auckland branch of the Olympic Association, said the federation of sport which would be brought about by the club was a worthy aim. Every sportsman would feel the benefit from a united body. Mr. A. Menzies, chairman of the management committee of tho Auckland Football Association, said most sports bodies needed homes, his own included. They could not yet pledge themselves as to the number of members they could provide but they could give the movement the very hearty support it deserved. The necessity for moving warily was stressed by Mr. E. Thompson, of the Auckland Lawn Tennis Association. The meeting had been notified that the Rugby Union could not give its support, he said, and he thought a similar position was likely to arise with tennis. The clubs had their own pavilions as meeting places. "I certainly regret that the Rugby Union has not sent a favourable reply," Mr." Menzies said. "It is the national game, and the union would lend considerable influence to the proposed club." Mr. L. Brighton, a member of the Auckland Swimming Centre, frankly confessed to more than a little pessimism. The sports bodies might be in favour of the scheme, but his experience told him that it vras a "soul-destroying task attempting to collect subscriptions from individual sportsmen. Support From University. Mr. G. G. McLeod, the university athlete, said although the university had clubrooms of its own, it would support the movement, and, without making promises, he could assure the meeting that about 50 university men would be willing to join the club. The lack of sympathy between the various sports bodies in the city was deplorable and he was certain that a sports club would set matters right.

Mr. D. MqCormack said he wished to correct the impression that the Rugby Union was out of sympathy with the movement. It declined affiliation, but the rank and file of the players would be as keen as any others. Mr. G. Ilenning mentioned the likelihood of revenue from kindred associations which would doubtless wish to take rooms in the building. Ho thought matters of finance could bo easily and safely arranged. A resolution was finally carried thanking those responsible for the preliminary work and expressing the opinion that a club should be formed. I£ was decided to circulate copies of the resolution to each sports body asking for the appointment of delegates to a further meeting and information as to the number of possible members.