CORONATION FOOTBALL.

Timaru Herald, Volume XCIV, Issue 14451, 25 May 1911, Page 2

CORONATION FOOTBALL.

A GENEROUS OFFER. A ROTCXDA FOR THE TARK.

A suggestion made by the President of tho Rugby Union that footballers should proviJo same permanent memorial of tho Coronation was heartily approved by a general meeting of delegates, and passed on to the Management Committee. The committee discussed tho matter at its last weekly meeting, and resolved to sot apart u Thursday for "Coronation" matches, tho proceeds to bo devoted, with the Government subsidy, tn some charitable or public object. Tho rirst idea was to provide something for the hospital, hut it was found that money spent in this direction practically saved the pockets cf the ratepayers, and tho most sudiiHo thins suggested—a consumptive shelter—did not appear to ho of a permanent character. Eventually it \va9 decided to call in the counsel, of tho Mayor, and a special meeting was held last evening at which Mr Craigie was present bv invitation. Tho president (Mr Shirtcliffe) explained the steps that had been taken, emphasising the point that tho Union thought it fitting to do something on behalf of the sporting community which would show their loyalty and at tho same time benefit the district, and he asked Air Craigie for any advice and assistance ho could offer.

Tho Mayor expressed his gratification at the spirit that prompted tho movement, and at once'promised his hearty co-operation. The consumptive shelter, he pointed out, might be removed at some future time, and it was hardly of a permanent nature. He did not know whether any better proposal was in their minds, but there was one thing upon which he had set his heart before finally leaving Uio mayorcl

at the Park. Perhaps this was too i-;- :ii. undertaking for tho Union, and hi: would feel in no way offended it tliev chose something else, and would still assist as. far as possible in whatever they agreed to do. In the event of tho rotunda, proposal being adopted, ' he would give a donation of -£2O towards tho Union's fund, and ask the Borough Council to extend their patronage to the movement, in addition to which he thought the public would a:sist the movement. A little discussion followed concerning the propriety of asking the Tomuka Club to assist in providing a memorial i'L Timnrti, and it was agreed that the Temuka section should be left to exercise their own discretion in disposing of any funds they might collect. Mr Craioio asked if any member of the committee* had any. other -work in view, and it- was suggested that it might be more within the Union's, compass to erect gates at the .'Wost' Tielt reservo which the Council had just decided lo convert into a playing field i for the children of tho public schools. The Mayor agreed that tliis also would be a d-"arable form of memorial, but personally he favoured the rotunda.

The magnitude of this proposal .Somewhat daunted tho committee, bnt on Mr Craigie stating that his offer of a personal donation was forfn rotunda, and cxpK'ssihg his confidence that the public would do their share in supplementing what tho Union and he himself would, provide, the gates nroposal was withdrawn bv its author (Mr Hassall), who moved "That the proceeds of tho Coronation Thursday matches be devoted to the erection of a band rotunda in the Park, as a permanent memorial of the Coronation, and that the Mayor cad Borough Council bo asked for their patronage and assistance." This was s-rciided-bv Mi- Mabon, and carried unanimously, and it was decided that the preliminary arrangcnients for Coronation Thursday he put in hand at once. The Mayor .rated that -a' suitable rotunda c.uild be erected for about £3OO, x half af wliHi would be fortlicoming.in. the shape r.f a Government subsidy, and a marble slab could be inserted with an inscription stating that the movement- had been initiated by the footballers of South Canterbury. ' The suggested programme of matches for the special occasion is Celtic v. Star-Pirates, nod Zingari v. Temuka. with High School v. Star-Pirates third j grade teams te provide a "curtainraiser." It is honed that £SO will be | netted from the matches.