SPORT AND DUTY

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVI, Issue 8108, 10 May 1912, Page 1

SPORT AND DUTY

TRAINING MUST BE FIRST DEPUTATION TO GENERAL GODLEY The Wellington Rugby Union, Football Association and Hockey Association have determined that militaiy training must take precedence ovci sports. Yesterday Messrs W. (Rugby Union), H. McKcoweu (hootball Association) and G’. N. Cathie (Hrokej Association) waited upon General Gouley to lay beioru hint matters altecLing iheir games. USE OR NEWTOWN PARK. Tho first question was that of the parade on Newtown Park on dune 3rd. It was pointed out by the deputation that the parade would probably damage tho pitrk to tiiioh «iu oxtont thut it ivoiu<l have to be shut up for some weeks. Genoro I Godlvy «iiil it v-'iifc tno itloii 01 the Govornmont. that Gonoral i>adenPowell, who was visiting New Zealand, should see as many of the hoys of the four centres on parade as possible, tt had been decided to have this parade on Newtown Park on May 3hth. lie had been all round Wellington, but could tiucl uo other place that would suit tho purpose. To go to Miramar would mean u difficulty in the matter of people goiug out on account of probable inadequate travelling facilities. J t would also be a long way for the boys to march. No hofses or artillery would bo allowed on the ground. . Tho deputation expressed satisfaction nt what had been done and intimated that they had no objection to make so far as tho park was concerned. DAYLIGHT PARADES. In’ regard to daylight parades the sports representatives expressed surprise that four daylight parades had l*un ordered. Tho sports bodies were not against military training, but were strongly in favour of it, and thought, that if tho territorial system and the sports could run side by side it would be all the better. Tho territorial system affected ail grades of football, from 75 to SO per cent, of the players being territorials. Tho daylight parades would mean tho postponement of tho fixtures. They asked that in the future, if possible, tho sports bodies be advised of the parades in order that they could make the necessary arrangements. They suggested that as many parades as possible should be called for tho “dead" season (the last fortnight in September and the first in October, and tho last fortnight •u March and tho first in April). They ntsaured General GoulToy, however, that they considered tho territorial system had to come before football. General Godloy pointed out that the daylight parades had so happened because the uniforms had not arrived earlier, and it was necessary to get these parades in before the end of the military year (May 30th). Pour parades in one month were not likely to occnr again. He promised that notlSe would be given to the sports bodies of the dates for parades, but it was probable in future that the parades would be fixed a considerable time ahead. Tho idea of the territorial -system was that the training should be continuous, and that the parades should bo distributed throughout the year. ... Colonel' Campbell said lie was entirely in. sympathy with tho sporte bodies, and saw* no reason why their suggestion could not be given effect to and a number of parades got in between the seasons. Ho thought it would be possible to have the daylight parades in future without interfering with cricket, football or other sports. , _ , The deputation thanked General Godley for the considerate manner in which ho had received their representations.

GENERAL BADEN-POWELL. WILL BE HERE ON MAT 30tli. Major- General Sir Robert BadeniPowell will bo in Wellington on May 80th. and it is expected that the parade of Boy Scouts, Senior Cadets, etc., on that day will easily surpass anything ot the kind yet held in Wellington. Yesterday General Godley held a meeting with scout masters and others interested in boys, in connection with the arrangements that are being made for the reception of the visitor. The Government has approved of as many boys as pctssible meeting the General during his visit. The whole of the available Senior and Junior Cadets, the Boy Scouts, and boys of all descriptions who are able to bo present will be asked to attend in the four centres. General Baden-Powell will bo in Auckland on May 27th, in Wellington on May 30th, in Christchurch on May 31st, and in Dunodin on June 2nd, and it is hoped that all boys and all those interested in the training of boys will endeavour to meet him on those dates. Arrangements have been taken in hand by the Defence Department for the assemblages of boys, and further details of these arrangements will be published later. It is hoped that in Wellington facilities will be given as far as possible by employers, schoolmasters and all concerned to allow as many of their boys as possible to meet the general. It has been fixed that this big assembly of boys will take place on Newtown Park on the afternoon of Thursday, May 30th.