SPORTS PROTECTION.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume III, Issue 764, 22 July 1916, Page 10

SPORTS PROTECTION.

ANNUAL MEETING OF BOARD. The annual meeting of the Canterbury Branch of the/ New Zealand Sports Protection League was held yesterday. Mr A. Boyle presided. ANNUAL REPORT. The annual report of the executive was read as follows: , It is not wise, nor is it necessary, in the interests of sport, for the branch to obtrude itself on public notice at the present juncture, when the nation is so absorbed in winning the present great world war. The executive have noted with satisfaction the excellent spirit of self-sacrifice which is being made not only by the sports bodies connected with the Canterbury branch of the League, but by those associated with, our national pastimes throughout the Dominion. There have been drawn from the ranks of our clubs some of the best soldiers now fighting at the front. The training which they have received on the playing' grounds of Canterbury has been their best equipment when it has come to a questiou of endurance, dash, and initiative. The members of the League have responded well to the call, and a meeting of the branch would not be required during war times were it not necessary to see that the organisation is kept in that state of preparedness that it will be able to fulfil its functions more particularly when the war is over, and we have to deal with our domestic problems.

A number of vacancies have occurred i owing to death, resignations, and other reasons in the personnel of the executive, and other changes are pending, j It has, therefore, been deemed advisable to call a meeting of the branch primarily with the object of electing its officials and filling the vacancies which have occurred. The work of the branch has neces- j sarily been lately of an unobtrusive | character. A general election has been j fought since the commencement of the war, and although the League is in no ' sense a party organisation, it is one of its functions to question candidates for public, positions. Acting upon a policy laid down by the Board of Control the

Canterbury Branch did not raise strife upon questions affecting sport when il was desirable that the elections stiouli be contested with the minimum of in ternal dissension.

All candidates throughout the Canterbury district were, however, asked questions submitted by the Board of Control, and auswers were received from them either in writing or from the public platform. The proportion of elected candidates who gave unfavourable answers was certainly greater in this district than in any other poriion of the Dominion, but the branch hopes in the future, by a judicious education of public opinion, that those who represent Canterbury should more sympathetically reflect the views of the huge section of the public which the League represents. The branch has endeavoured.during the war to make itself useful in patriotic work. Jt instituted a movement amongst all sports bodies, by which members of clubs could be approached to join the CD.C. or otherwise make themselves available for military purposes. Considerable assistance was rendered, and the response from the sports bodies was of a very gratifving character.

When the fund for the relief of the poor of Britain and Belgium was initiated in Christ-church, the president of the Board of Control allowed the organisation of the League to be used to promote tile movement throughout the Dominion, and prominent members of the League in Cliristchurch also liecame active workers for the fund. Iu other directions, where practicable, assistance has beeu given to patriotic work.

Any movement for the acquisition of playing grounds or the preservation of those already in existence always meets with sympathetic support. The pioneers of Canterbury have shown great foresight in establishing large reserves within the city, and the question here is not on the whole a pressing one. When, however, the existence of Lancaster Park was threatened the branch made a grant to the funds for its preservation, which it considered the best method of supporting the movement.

Aii annual contribution has lately j boon made by the Board of Control to the branch, and although this may be reduced during the period of the war the state of our finances is such that all commitments will be comfortably met. The executive could not conclude without expressing regret at the continued ill-health of the secretary, Mr Chas. M. Parker. During the time he was able he showed his usual great enthusiasm in the work of the league, and his services were very much appreciated. Latterly, Mr G. L. Donaldson has been acting as secretary. The report was adopted. THE RETIRING PEESIDENT. Air Alex. Boyle briefly explained the work of the league. He said that, owing to pressure of business, he was unable to accept the position of president for a further term, but he would give all the assistance possible. He proposed that Mr J. 8. Barrett be elected president. The nomination was unanimously supported by all those present. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. The election of officers resulted as follows:—Executive Committee, Messrs A. Boyle, J. H. Williams, W. 11. Tisdall, G. H. Mason, F. W. Johnson, and Sir Cecil Moon; secretary and treasurer, Mr G. L. Donaldson. GENERAL. Reference was made to the loss suffered by the League in the death of Mr J. W. Oassin, who had been a very active member of the executive.