AMATEUR SPORT.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXX, Issue 12052, 20 December 1906, Page 4

AMATEUR SPORT.

One result of the anti-gambling yusade •in Australia lias been to bring ajput a> revival of interest in pure amateur iport, and no doubt New Zealand's expelWe will be something similar. A few Ws ago amateur athletics held a very Ugh place in public estimation in Wangasai,

and the local club— which then possessed a number of members who were amongst the best athletes this colony has yet produced—held many most successful sports meetings. With the retirement of a few of the star performers the club fell on evil times, or at least the interest taken by the public died out. Last year a number of enthusiasts set to work and formed a ne\v amateur club, and several very enjoyable evening meetings were held, the sport provided being first-claw. Encouraged by the success achieved in these smaller gatherings, the officials decided to hold a big sports meeting, and next week— on Thursday, the 27th inst.— the public of Wanganui will be afforded an opportunity of witnessing the inaugural fixture of the local Amateur Athletic Club. We are pleased to learn that excellent nominations have been received, the entries including competitors from Wellington, Timaru, Auckland, Masterton, Palmerston North, New Plymouth, and other places, blsides local talent. xVmongst the visiting athletes will be a number of pa*>t and present champions of New Zealand, so that there is ©very prospect of the re-union being a highly successful one. In this connection it is gratifying to know that' the club is receiving practical support from sonic of our leading citizens, who have kindly donated trophies, etc. It is by supporting pure amateur sport that the leaders of the anti-gambling crusade will bestf^show the earnestness of their desire to do away with the evils of which they complain. Here is a form of sport in which betting is at least forbidden, though, unfortunately, not always eliminated, and into which the evils of excess do not enter. We hope, therefore, that the public will rally round to give a lift t > so beneficial and manly a pastime, and that the laudable efforts of the Wanganui Amateur Club to promote pure sport v-ill be crowned with success. The leaders of the anti-gambling crusade have declared that they are not opposed to jure sport, which has thnr sympathy, also that of the churches, and the moral reform organisations. We would point out, hewever, that zealous workers in a good cause can do well without that sympathy which stops short of paying even a shilling admission, to an amateur sports gathering. Practical sympathy is what is needed, and we trust will be forthcoming.