NEW YEAR SPORTS

Te Aroha News, Volume XLI, Issue 6404, 18 October 1923, Page 8

NEW YEAR SPORTS

NOT TO BE HELD FIRE BRIGADE’S DECISION The annual meeting of the Fire Brigade Sport’s Club was held in the fire station on Tuesday evening, when the president (Mr R. Coulter) occupied the chair. The secretary reported that the club’s credit, after all debts are paid, will amount to approximately £5. Owing to wet weather, the last sports gathering on New Year’s Day, 1923, caused a loss of £3O. After a short discussion Mr P. Geaney moved, and Mr J. Manning seconded: — “That the Fire Brigade Sports Club do not hold a sports gathering this year, owing to lack of proper support.” The chairman said that personally he felt that the club had not received the assistance in the past that was due to it, and there was no doubt but that the motion was justified. Nevertheless he was perfectly sure that it would not be in the best interests of the town not to hold a gathering, for such .fixtures were looked to annually by thousands of visitors who delighted in a day at Te Aroha. He thought that the members should not arrive at too hasty a decision, but that they should defer consideration of the matter.

Mr Pilkington agreed with the remarks of the chairman. He said that the Brigade was responsible for making New Year’s Day at Te Aroha what it now is. For sixteen years in succession they had conducted their annual sports, and it was true that most of the gatherings showed a profit, but such profits had been used up. and all in useful ways. The club had advanced the Borough Council £IOO towards the purchase of the motor reel, another £IOO was given and an extra £3O loaned to the Beautifying Society towards improving the sports ground, to say nothing of the labor and money spent in improving the grounds years ago. Besides this several sports meetings had been conducted for benefits for worthy objects. “I think we have run ourselves to a standstill with our generosity,” he said. He moved as an amendment:—

“That the question be deferred until 23rd inst., and that the public be invited to attend the meeting.” , Mr T. Donovan seconded. The chairman felt disposed to support the amendment.

Mr Morison said the club had not received the support that it was entitled to, especially from those who derived the greatest benefit as a result of the club's energies. There were some who did support it year after year, but generally speaking the public showed a lack of interest and enthusiasm in a movement which was for the advancement and benefit of. the town, and from which there was no personal gain to members. There was a time when the townspeople did take a keen interest in the New Year Sports and supported them well, but the speaker was now inclined to the opinion that is is generally thought that the dub is well off.

On being put to the meeting the amendment was lost, and the motion carried by 11 votes to 5.