SPORTS COMMITTEE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 3950, 15 December 1880, Page 3

SPORTS COMMITTEE.

The Popular Bports Committee held an ordinary meeting yesterday afternoon at the City Council Chambers. The following members were present .—Mr S. P. Andrews (in the chair), Messrs Alport, Hebden, Bickerton, Jacobsen, Co,jan, F. Davie, Samuels, Hobbs, Farr, A. Q. Walker, Bishop and Haekins (Hon. Sec.) A letter was read from Mr Hall, acknowledging vote of thanks passed at laßt meeting, and asking that any bonus to be voted to him might be placed to the credit of the funds. The action taken by the Programme Committee in accepting a tender for printing programmes, was approved. The Chairman asked the meeting to appoint referees. Mr Cogan proposed Messrs Andrews and Jacobsen as " fully qualified persons for the office." The motion was seconded and carried unanimously. The Secretary received power to pay certain accounts. Professor Bickerton apologised for the absence of Mr Crooks. He mentioned that he had purchased a set of Maypole ribbons, and suggested that lollies should be procured for the children, also that the children's prizes should be kept in a covered cart. Tho money for these items was duly voted. Mr Walker was added to the Ohildren's Committee, and Mr Jacobsen was appointed os a Cl°rk of the Course, instead of Hr Wulktr. Mr Hebden thought that something ought to be done towards getting more liberal contributions from people than have hitherto been received. If the sports were to be carried on they should be self-supporting. Last year the receipts at the gates were only £75, a miserable result. The Foresters had more than four times this amount, though not a tithe of the attendance ; those who were the least liberal would be the very people who would Buffer most hy the cessation of the sports. It must como to one of two things, either more general donations attho gates— not necessarily of large sums— or the obtaining of the right to charge for admission. He would move that placards be printed to the following effect:— "Voluntary Contributions. — The public are requested to remember that the Anniversary Sports are mainly dependent upon tho voluntary contributions received at tho gates, and, consequently, that everyone should give something towards the fund." lfis hoped that the lesponse tothe abovo will be of so liberal a character that the Committee will be encouraged to continue these sport 3, upon an annually enlarged scale. If, however, the contributions prove unsatisfactory, the sports will of necessity fall through. Mr Davie seconded the motion. Professor Bickerton suggested the printing of programmes on different coloured papers, to be sold at a shilling, sixpence, and threepence. After some discussion, the motion was amended, and the placard was agreed to as follows : — " Anniversary Sports, supported by voluntary contributions. The public are requested to contribute liberally, to ensure the continuance of these sports." It was resolved to have 150 of these placards printed and distributed at the discretion of the Ground Committee. After disposing of a large amount of routine business, the Committee adjourned till Tuesday next, at 4 p.m.