FESTIVAL OF EMPIRE.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1059, 23 February 1911, Page 6

FESTIVAL OF EMPIRE.

s —« HOW TO SEND MEN HOME. "WATS AND MEANS DISCUSSED.' Details in reference to the movement towards securing adequate representation of New Zealand at the Festival of Empire' sports were 4> SCUSSC( I Inst evening at a meeting of representatives of the Tennis, Amateur Atnletic, Boxing, Rowing, 111111 Swimming Associations, held nt the Y.M.C.A. The chair was occupied by Mr. A. Marryatt. There were also present: Messrs. B. Keesing, R. W. M'Viily, I'. Banna, G. S. Hill, A. Davics, -U. llogau, E. L. Chaffey, J. 11. Pollock, W. 11. Pollock, A. W. Smith, and W. 11. Woodgcr. Tho chairman remarked that the coinmitteo had. JJliO in hand already, as a result of tho welcome to the bands, which sum, with tho Government subsidy, would mean JIGD. The question for the meeting was to decide whht steps should bo taken to raise the balance of tho money.» The estimated of sending three representatives from 'New' Zealand to London was .£IOO. '• ■

31r. M'Yilly said the proprietors of the King's Pictures wero prepared to give half of one night's takings towards the fund, provided that at least four days' notico was given, and that athletes would put their.shoulder to the wheel. Ho had already got out a number of subscription lists and ho thought that if tho various sports bodies would only pull together thero would be no difficulty in raising the money. Tho project was no ordinary one, nnd as residents of tho Empire City everyone should .see that ■we were not behindhand in raising funds. All entertainment iu the Town Hall had been proposed, and he was suro tho Boxing Association' wou'd help to the utmost any such movement. Mr. J. 11. Pollock remarked that the boxing people had not a man to nominate, and stressed the advisableness of stirring up the New Zealand Swimming Association, which luid an excellent man to send in M. Champion. If Champion was not sent, any New Zealand team would almost necessarily be one "of runners. G. Haskins, of Canterbury, one of tho best milo runners in New Zealand, had intimated that -he would be able tp go, and Harding, of Napier, had also stated that lie could make tile trip. Mi'. G. S. Hill, representing the Wellington Swimming Association, said ho had that day decided to wire M. Champion, of Auckland, to see exactly how he stood. He accordingly telegraphed: "If selected Festival of Empire will you go if expenses of trip are paid." Ho had received a reply as under: "Yes, if provision is made for dependents." Personally, Mr. Hill thought Champion was good enough to send on the trip, and that the peoplo of Auckland and Wellington would do well to let him compete against the best swimmers in the world. Tho New Zealander's times had only to be compared with rccent Australian times to show how good a man ho was. Mr. Keesing, representing the Tennis Association, thought it was only a question of appealing to the other centres and they WQuld, ho believed, do all they could for runners, swimmers, and tennis players. Ho thought an appeal should be mndo throughout the Dominion. The Tennis Association would do everything it could to assist the movement. 011 the motion of Mr. M'Villy it was decidcd that tho meeting form itself into a committee of ways and means. Mr. B. A. Guise was appointed secretary. Mr. Davies moved that tho secretary cominunicnto with the different sports bodies throughout New Zealand asking them to co-operate in the movement. This was carried. - ,

The chairman, replying to a question, said, the Athlctic Association would pick tho'running man, the Swimming Association the swimmer, aiid so on. It would then bo a 1 * matter of a final conference betwec-n tho New Zealand Committeo and tho Australian Committee as to what men shall represent Australasia. The final details had not been arranged yet. but' a cable message had been dispatchedto Lord Desborough that day asking for them. Mr. Hogan moved that in view, of the, scanty details available tho committee cablo Australia asking their committeo in Sydney to post all availablo'/infotftla-''' tion bv Saturday's mail. One of the most important matters looked forward to is the mode of selection of the team. The motion was agreed to. It'was decided to ask Dr. Newman and the Mayor (Sir. T. jr. Wilford) to allow their names to be added to the committee. A proposal was put forward that an assault' at arms bo lield in the Town Hall. It was stated that tho Boxing Association wonld put on three or four'items and that a tus-of-war could also, be arranged. In addition .it was suggested that one or more of the rille companies might be induced to give a display of physical exercises amh that one of the nhysicat culture schools should also be asked to give a display. A wood-chopping display could also be arranged. Mr. Pollock moved that the Town Hall' bo\engaged for a night's entertainment in aid of the movement. Mr. Chafley seconded the motion which was carried. A sub-committee consisting of Messrs. M'Villy, Hogan, Hill, ICeesing, J. 11. Pollock, and the chairman was appointed to make tho necessary arrangements. It was decided to accept the offer of the proprietors of tho King's Theatre of a benefit entertainpient on behalf of the movement. Messrs. J. H. Pollock and Marryatt were appointed to make arrangements as to tho night the entertainment should be held. It was resolved to put subscription lists in circulation forthwith. Mr. Pollock suggested that the list should bo brought under the notice of the Rugby Union, Cricket Association, and other sports bodies. On the motion of Mr. J. H. Pollock it was decided to pass a hearty vote of thanks to tho Tramways and Garrison Bands which gave a benefit concert on Monday evening. It was also decided to point out that the snorts bodies hoped to be able to reciprocate should the necessity arise. -