POPULAR SPORTS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 3944, 8 December 1880, Page 4

POPULAR SPORTS.

A meeting of the Popular Sports Committee was held in the City Council Chamber at 4 p.m. yesterday ; present — Messrs 8. P. Andrews (in the oha__*), HL. HL Alport, A. Bheath, H. Crooks, F. T. Haskins, F. Hobba, O. Walkden, -~ Drewitt, J. Gapea, and Professor Bickerton. Apologieß for non-attendance were received from Messrs Hebden, Warner, and M. and T. Davie. Mr Haskins reported that he had received no answer to hia telegram to the Government re closing the Pubho Offices. Mr Alport reported that Mr Gapes and himself had waited upon the Manager of the Union Bank, who received them very courteously, and stated that tho Bank Managers had carefully considered the question of granting a holiday on Deo. 16, and, having taken advice on the subject;, much regretted that they were unable to do so. Thiß waa somewhat afc variance with tbe lettor from the Colonial Secretary's Office, which implied that the Bank Managers had power to proclaim Bank holidays. The IVI imagers had resolved, however, to give ull possible facilities to their employees to attend the sports. Mr Crooks reported that he had succeeded in making arrangements for a band for the children's Bports. Mr Walkden reported that the ground was in good oondition ; the grass had been mowed, and the courae attended to. He purposed -watering and rolling the course on the day hefore the sports. He found that several holes had been dug along the line of the drain, some of the pipes of whioh were broken, but he had had new pipes put in instead. Some applications for permission to have merry-go-rounds and extra sports on the ground were referred fco the Ground Committee, in connection with Mr Alport. Two tenders from brass bands were reoeived, and that -of the Excelsior Band was. accepted. It was resolved, on the motion of Mr Alport, seconded by Profesaor Bickerton — "That application be made to His Worship the Mayor to invite all good settlers of Oanterbury to keep the 16th of December aa a pubhc holiday." The Ohairman reported thab Mr Hulbort ■was unable to attend as a member of the Children's Bports Committee, and Mr Walkden was appointed in his place. The meeting then adjourned to 4 p.m. on Friday next.