AMATEUR SPORTS CLUB.

Otago Daily Times, Volume 13696, Issue 13696, 12 September 1906, Page 3

AMATEUR SPORTS CLUB.

A. meeting of representatives connected "with the various athlctio clubs in awl around tho city and suburbs was held last evening in the offices of Messrs Grace and Wilson, Princes street, for the purpose of considering the advisability of forming an amateur sports club, the qbjecA of tie movement being to bring those connected with tho various athletic organisations into closer association. Messrs P. J. Stilling, S. Jacobs, W. Adams, B. Neill, J. J. Clark, A. K. Gascoigno, and W. H. Skitoh wrote apologising for non-attendance, and oxpressed their willingness to assist the movement in any way in their power. Among those present were: —Messrs James A. Park (chairman), H. Macintosh (Otago centre). J. Stables (D.A.B.C), J. M'Keuzio (Union F. 0.), A. M'Lcan (Opoho U.C.I, A. Cannon (Dunedin Haiders), H. 1\ Neos (Otago Tncht Club), F. Scales (Dunedin Swimming Club), L. R. Wilson (Rowing Association), H. G. Siedeberg (Carisbrook CO.), G. Phillips and K. Bonnet (Alhambra F.C.), .A. Robinson (Grange C.C.), J. K. Ross (Dunedin P. 0.), W, R. Saunders (Pirate F.C.), W. Brickoll (Otego P.C.), E. D. Grace (Hockey Centre), E. S. Wilson (secretary of "a. number' of dubs), and others.

Mr J. A. Park, who was elected to the chair, said he regretted that some .one more closely allied with athletics had not been chosen to preside, but although not connected directly with sports, lie took considerable interest in them. Only a short no:ice had been given of tho intention to hold the meeting, and lie was pleased, to see so largo an attendance of representatives of athletic and other clubs. .There had been a feeling in athletic circles for a considerable time to establish a club in which nil 'branches of athletics would be represented, and they had met that evening to give that feeling concrete shape. Some attempts in a small way had been made previously to such a club as he indicated, but they had been confined mainly io individual organisations, and as there was a limited membership they had ! not been financially strong. There were in Dunedin and suburbs about 100 fclubs, and of these tho majority of members would probably join the club if it was formed, and under those conditions it was bound to be a success. The club, if started, would bo under proper management, would be financially strong, and would provide advantages with a largo membership which could not otherwise be obtained. The proposal! was to carry it on in the same way that the Auckland Athletic Club was conducted. That club, which started in a small way, had now club rooms in which there were billiard rooms, card rooms, committee, and other rooms, and ono of the many advantages was the provision of rooms in which to hold club meetings and save the necessity of holding such gatherings in hotels. The charge in/Auckland, ho understood, for t,he use of swh rooms was £1 per annum. There was no doubt that a strong feeling existed -on the part of parents against their sons going to hotels, and on this ground they objected to their sans joining clubs which met in hotels. In Auckland, owing to the existence of a general club and club rooms, parents encouraged their boys to join the various athletic organisations, and the membership of the club was some 300. Tho Auckland Club prohibited gambling and.drinking in the club, rooms. One of the advantages of a club would bo that where a lot, of young fellows who 'now visited the city to take pwt in athletics had uo place to go to, and their friends woro at a loss to take them anywhere, willi dub rooias could bo taken there and could associate with fellow athletes. -The matter of establishing a club aro?i through lus (the speaker's) attention being drawn to premises that might be mado specially suitable for the purpose. Tho premises die referred to wore known as Cargill and Co.'s buildings, in Princes street ( south, where sufficient accommodation could

bo found for billiard, domino, draughts, committee, and olhor rooms, lavatories, offices, etc. Ho moved—"That tin l meeting approves of tho proposal to form an amateur sports club for Dmiedhi and (suburbs." •" •

Mr L, Wilson seconded the motion, and in doing so endorsed all that had been said by' the mover in favour of the establishment of tho suggested club. .In' reply to a question .Mr K. .(i'son stated that 18 clubs were represented at the meeting. •. ■' ' Tho .Chairman explained that a number of bowling clubs, tho Gun Club, and others had not been notified of the meeting,' but if it. was decided to go on with the proposal those olubs could bo notified afterwards.

Mr'']s..'S, Wilson spoke in favour of the motion, and mentioned that he had communicated with the Auckland and Linwood Clubs, on the subjeci. and they, each stated that the clubs in those centres were successful. One of the writers,attributed tlie":success to tho prohibition ,o( gambling and drinking, and it was mentioned that in one club (that at Chrislchurch) the revenue' for billiards amounted to' £360 for one year. The establishment of a elub and c'.ubrooms would assist in preventing so _ many young ftth'.etie fellows street corners, and they would appreciate nice, comfortable rooms to go to, He had no doubt that between 300 and 400 members would join such a, club if it was started, and he suggested tho subscription should be 10s per annum, or about 6d per week per member. He thought young fellows would spend much' more than that in hoteU for billiards' alone, the charge lor which would be considerably less at ■ tho clubrooms. Messrs Cannon and .7. Stables also spoke in favour, of the motion.,. .'«

Mi'- M'lntosh referred to the question of confining membership of flic club .strictly to amateurs, and mentioned that in some of tho football elub? there were professional runners, whom, he thought, should not bo eligible for membership of the proposed club." '■••-' :'" " The question raised by Mr M'lntosh, after discussion was left over for future consideration. Messrs Noes and Sicdebcrg also spoke in favour of the proposal, which, on being put to the meeting,' was carried unanimouslv. On tho motion of Mr L. Wilson, it was also resolved—" That' a committee, consisting of Messrs .7. A. Park, J. A. Stables, 11. P. New. H. G. Siedeberg, B. Ncill, J. J. Clark, S. Jacobs, L, 1(. Wilson. H, M'lntosh A. Cameron, A. C. Hanlon, A. E. Gascoigno, and J. Hislop, be appointed with instructions to ascertain the annual cost, revenue, ways and moans, suitability of rooms cost of furnishing, and any other information available, and to another meeting: the committee, if possible, to bring up a, draft sot of rules." Mr E. S. 'Wilson was elected secretary pro tern., with authority'to issue circulars and convene-'a future meeting. A vote of thanks to the chairman concluded tho business, and the committee afterwards mot and appointed sub-com-mittees to obtain necessary information.