EASTER CARNIVAL

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8366, 28 February 1913, Page 9

EASTER CARNIVAL

WAKE UP, ATHLETES ! ENERGETIC WORKERS WANTED. A meeting of representatives of sports bodies was held last evening for the purpose of devising the best means of obtaining adequate support for tbo successful carrying through of the Easter Sports Carnival. The Mayor (Mr D. McLaren) presided. A STRAIGHT TALK. The chairman said the meeting had been called for the purpose of having a straight talk to the rank and file of the athletic sports bodies of tbe city, because they felt they required to have tbe assistance (the very energetic assistance) of all members of sports bodies. It was with these bodies as with others—too much was left to the officers. It was the desire of everybody connected with tbo movement that it should be the biggest affair that had ever been held in Wellington, and he believed it was going to be so. They would make it the biggest and best ever held here. The committees set up had been working most energetically and most harmoniously. But while that was so and while the committees had been doing most excellent work, he was sure they had conveyed the impression to a great many of the people that everything was in apple pie order and all those doing the work at present could go on doing great deaf more. That was not a fair and proper thing. One of the objects of this carnival was to improve the reserves and playing grounds of the city, and that was good reason why members of sports bodies should take part. EXTRA DAT PROBABLE. It was necessary to add a great many more to the committees to look after the side-shows. As far as the ladies were concerned he was inclined to think they were going to beat the men. on this occasion. He trusted all. the members of sports bodies would be good sports, and would not allow themselves to be beaten. He hoped the rank and file would show that it was not a matter for the officers only. The reason they were making this appeal was that although they had a large general committee there was such a great variety of events that they required a great many op each committee in order to carry put the .undertaking. They would be going through Easter Saturday and Monday, and he felt sure it would he necessary to run some of the events on Easter Tuesday. In that case it would not be fair to those doing the work that others should hang hack and break the back 'of Hie willing horse. GELD THE TICKETS. He regretted that the rank and file of the sports bodies were not giving the support expected. There was one portion of the work t in which every member of sports bodies could in tho Baling of art union tickets. They should be able to dispose of about 40,000 tickets in Wellington before the carnival. Up to date they had sold about 18,000. They wanted everybody to realise that this was not a thing that could be carried out by the secretary. It was necessary that every individual should take a share in the disposal' of the tickets. They wanted the assistance of athletes and their lady friends on Easter Sunday to take up tbe collection, on the occasion of the performance by the massed bands. Ha wanted those who were willing to collect to send their names along. When tho allocation of the big surplus that would bo made came along, it would be quite just for the general body of citizens to grumble if the athletes, after hanging back * now, wanted to have a say as to how the money should bo spent*. _ It was not a matter of twenty or thirty, but of 200 or 300 active workers. They could find work for them aIL YOUNG PEOPLE APATHETIC. Mr C. G. Wilson, of the Cricket -Association, expressed regret at the small attendance- Ho was confident, however, that they were going to have a successful carnival. What did annoy him' was to find the young people of Wellington so apathetic in regard to dhe movement, If they went over the committees they would find that not one member was under thirty years of age. Those who were going to benefit were those nnder thirty. The people on the committees wore. not working for their own benefit —they were working for the benefit of the younger ones. He wanted to emphasise that those who were going to benefit should do something, It wag not asking too much when they asked them to do a bit on their own behalf. It was only just and fair that they should/do something. NOT A HOPELESS VIEW. Mr M. E; Luckie said that those persons who wore moat enthusiastic in the various sports had readily. joined the committees. The juniors, seeing that they were so well represented by their seniors and no personal appeal having been made to them, had not come forward. But he did not take at all a hopeless view of the apparent apathy. Ho considered they would come forward if a direct appeal w'aa made to them. Whew the programme was published a more lively interest would be taken in the carnival. As soon as the people saw what an attractive programme it was they would cooperate as far as possible, He suggested that all sports bodies, whether winter or summer, should call special meetings of their committees for the purpose of giving as much* individual and active 00-operation ip promoting the object as possible. He was certain it was only necessary to appeal to the members of sports bodies to ensure their eo-operation. He moved; “That it be urged upon the individual members of all sports bodies in the City that they join committees set up in connection with the Easter Carnival, and that each member personally undertake to dispose of a number of art union tickets and give 1 all such active assistance as possible to secure the success of the carnival.” CONFIDENCE IN CARNIVAL, Mr A. A. Marryatt (Athletic Association), in seconding the motion, said he was not at all despondent. He was certain the carnival would have the active support of all members of sports bodies. Councillor Frost (chairman of the reserves committee) said he had every confidence in the result of this earnival. Mr G. Hurley (Tennis Association) said they must not expect the young people to come forward and offer advice. If they went to them and asked for assistance they would get it. He suggested that an electric light tennis tournament should be held. Mr Simpson (Football Association) suggested that a match should be played ■ between the holders of the

Brown Shield and another team picked from tho various clubs. Tho motion was carried. Mr Wilson mentioned that ho had not seen better organisation anywhere than existed on the side-shows committee. DANCING COMMITTEE. Prior to the general meeting tho Highland dancing oemmitteo and representatives of the Scottish Society met and arranged their programme, which comprises exhibitions of dancing and dancing competitions. Prizes were fixed and judges appointed-