SPORTING CONFERENCE.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XIX, Issue 1068, 25 August 1910, Page 9

SPORTING CONFERENCE.

PROTECTION SOCIETY formed.

A large number of representatives of snorting organisations met in the Cham,ber of Commerce, at the invitation of the Citizens’ League, last Thursday evening for the purpose of considering the necessity for forming a mutual sports protection association. V Mr W. E- Hackett, who presided in the absence, through illness, of the league’s president (Mr. -W. J. Ralph), stated that the league, in convening the conference, was actuated by a desire to carry out one of its many objects, which was the taking of a rational and Intelligent interest in all matters affecting the community. So far as sport was affected, the trend of recent happenings had demonstrated that organised attempts were being made to cause grievous inroads in some of our most popular sports. Racing, boxing, coursing, billiards and others had already received unwelcome attention, and in due course further branches of sport would doubtless be attacked. The committee of the league considered it was now time that sportsmen should assert their right to conduct their own sports and join together to successfully combat the tendency of interference on the part of people who did not interest themselves in or support any branch of sport. Mr. H. Johnston moved and Mr. W. A. Wilkinson seconded, “That those present are in favour of the formation of a mutual sports protection association, and that a committee be set up to take the necessary preliminary steps for the formation of such association.” The motion, which was supported by the following gentlemen, was carried unanimously:—Messrs. J. Collis (North Shore Yacht Club), J. Parks (Manukau Yacht Club), Greenhough (Northern Boxing Association), C. P. Murdoch (Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron), McKenzie (Pakuranga Hunt Club), Nolan (Lacrosse Association), Hannah and Foley (Avondale Jockey Club), W. G. Jury (Billiard Association), G. W. S. Patterson (Auckland Racing Club), J. T. Inglis Thames Jockey Club), F. Scott (Victoria Cruising Club), I. Hill (trotting clubs), J. Tapper (North New Zealand Coursing Club), and Messrs. Stichbury, John Fuller and H. L. Wade. A few of the representatives had not power to act, but from the majority of the organisations represented there was a very generous expression of sympathy with the objects of the conference and hearty promises of active support. The following committee was elected, with power to add:—Messrs. James Tapper, P. Greenhough, G. W. S. Patterson, M. J. Shehan, W. J. Jaggs, C* P. Murdoch, J. Parks, W. A. Wilkinson, F. Scott, C. P. Rogers, W. J. Ralph, McKenzie, J. Rowe, J. T. Inglis, F. Farrell, E. W. Watts, E. D. O’Rorke, J. Fuller, C. R. Bailey and L. Stewart.