AMATEURS IN SPORT.

Taranaki Daily News, 16 June 1923, Page 13

AMATEURS IN SPORT.

< SAD TALE. “10-2-4” writes in the Bulletin: “The starting of a fund by the Sydney Sun to iccompense Anderson’s firm for hw absence from business with the Davis Cup team recalls the fact that the sporting public cannot be too careful of offendmi the susceptibilities of its gifted amateurs. It is in the course of the attendant ceremcniul that disaster may materialise. The utmost delicacy is called for. I am reminded of the case of Horace Clamwissle, ex-champion Halma player of the world. The Halma Cup was due to be played that year, in Reykjavik. The Halma Association agreed to pay the then champion’s traveling and living expenses, and those of his wife and three adult daughters; the municipal council of his suburb undertook the upkeep of his house and garden; the Burrangorang Halma Club# under whose auspices he first won to fame, trade itself responsible for the education of his two boys in the absence of the breadwnmer on the nation’s business; pub-i he opinion forced the firm which had the misfortune to employ him, to keep his job open and allow him full pay. the Town Hall meeting, at which the State Premier spoke of the tributes gladly, proudly paid by devotees of the srand old game to their idol, Clamwissle expressed not only acquiescence but approval. Not a hitch occurred at any of his send-offs from the different Australian ports visited by the linor on which he travelled. And then, at Colombo, a criminally inefficient steamship employee put Nobbs, the English professional cricketer, in Claipwisslo’a cabin. The amateur at once left the ship and within 24 hours was on his way baik to Australia by another line. As a direct result the Halma championship went to Sambo, a member of a tree-dwelling* trib© ir habiting the banks of the Übangi in the Belgian Congo, and has remaineel in the possession of that nation ever since. If a thing is worth doing, it is worth doing with tact.”