The Evening Star. TUESDAY, MAY 9, 1871.

Auckland Star, Volume II, Issue 414, 9 May 1871, Page 2

The Evening Star. TUESDAY, MAY 9, 1871.

It is very gratifying to observe that the impulse given to athletic exercises by the late games in the Albert Barracks has not died out. In fact it appears as if they had but developed the latent feeling that exists in favor of manly exercises. The games announced to take place in the Barrack reserve to-morrow have that in them which we think will invest them with greater popularity than those preceding. It must be admitted that the recent games, being mainly a private and professional speculation, were not calculated in this respect to excite very much popular enthusiasm, and though the presence and performances of professional pedestrians constituted an attraction, there can be no doubt that it was the large number of well-known citizens entered for the contests that lent to the event its great popularity. In the al fresco entertainment to-morrow, the object to which the proceeds will be devoted is an additional source of attraction; and the public attending will have the satisfaction of knowing that they are aiding in the advancement of a club devoted to athletic exercises of a kindred character. The Auckland ftowing Club is really one of our most deserving institutions. In presenting to our young men one of the most invigorating kinds of exercise, it offers a counter-attraction to many pastimes that have less or more of a debasing tendency, and as such promotes moral as well as physical excellence, and it is hoped and believed that the althletic games tomorrow will return a very substantial public donation to the treasury of the club, which, we understand, is much in need of assistance. In devoting also one-tenth of all proceeds to charitable purposes, the members of the club will act in a benevolent and becoming way, " giving tithes of all ;" and, it must be admitted, with a judicious amount of worldly wisdom, pardonable in the circumstances. We sincerely hope that the public will appreciate the effort for the promotion and establishment of athletic exercises, by making as far as possible a public holiday. It is gratifying to observe that a large number of the principal business places in the city have already done themselves honor, in signifying their intention of closing their places of business in the afternoon. The entries have been extraordinarily numerous ; over a hundred of our citizens having thrown down the gauntlet; and what is more satisfactory still, a large proportion of the entries bear the names of those who, from their social position, and from being very generally known, will give character to the games. The promoters of this most beneficial and delightful species of entertainment are one indeed to b warmly commended; and we trust that we shall have the pleasure of congratulating them on the most successful entertainment ever carried out in the city.