DISSOLVED.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1559, 1 October 1912, Page 3

DISSOLVED.

FESTIVAL OF EMPIRE SPORTS COMMITTEE. THE FINAL TALK. Affairs of the Festival of Empire Sports Committeo were finally disposed of at a winding-up meeting held at the Grand Hotel last night. Mr. A. Marryatt presided, and there was also present: Messrs. J. H. Pollock, A. Smith, B. R. Keesing, G. S. Hill, G. I'. Hanna, A. Davits, and B. A. Guise. The balance-sheet (particulars of which have been'already published) was adopted. In moving the adoption of the balancesheet, the ■ chairman expressed pleasure that the affairs of the committee 1.;. d been brought to such a successful conclusion. They wero indebted to the f.ul.Jic and the various sports bodies whose generous assistance had enabled tha cummittcc to. present such a satisfactory balance-sheet, showing a credit balance of ss. Id. Since the conclusion of tho spurts, there had been some comment r-ppearing in the press of- tho Dominion, anil there had been an opinion held in some quarters that the meeting had received rather more support and notice than it deserved. In answer to that, he would say that from what they had been told end from the efforts being mane .in vther parts of the Empire, it was the boum'en duty of tho committee to see that New Zealand vas fittingly represented. With (ho assistance of the press and tho spor'iug public they had been able to bring about the desired result in., a wiy that they could have no regrets at nil. Mr. Marryatt then wen! on to refer to tho misfortune that had dogged tlie footsteps of'our athletes, and prevented them from reproducing their best form. He pointed out, however, (he good ll'wt liouid result from the Nerr Zealand representatives meeting the various representatives from other parts of the Empire, and stated that the gathering had given Mr. R. Coombes an opportunity of selting on foot a project that would be of lasting benefit to the sport- in these parts. If the holders of the shield (the Canadians) saw fit, there lniriit be another competition for that shield in which the Dominion would again have a chance of gaining success.' • For the success that had attended the efforts of the committee,' they had to thank Sir Joseph AVard and his Cabinet for support. .Mr. Wilford, who was Mayor at the time, whose efforts on the committee's behalf were largely responsible for the hearing they received from the Government, and who in every way possible advanced the and all those sports bodies in New Zealand, who came to tiie assistance of the committee. As chairman, lie would like to say that it had given him the very greatest pleasure to work with the committee, for all themembers of it, had given him everv assistance possible. Opinions might differ as to whether the project was justified, it had to bo remembered that those were niado up after the event. If our men had done better—if they had won the shield — those opinions might .have been different, and he w;as quite sure they would have been. Finally, Mr. Marryatt paid a .trir bute to the work of Mr. Guise as secretary and treasurer to the committee. Mr. J. H. Pollock, in seconding the adoption of the balance-sheet, indorsed what the chairman had said regarding the part New Zealand took in sending a team to compete. When the objects ■of the Fostival of Empire Spprts were made known, they all recognised that Now Zealand could not be a defaulter. They were called -upon to do their duty, and he thought that members of the committee and the sports bodies had done their duty nobly and well. He personally had not heard much adverse comment, and he could say that he had not heard one sub-, scriber to the fund express regret at having given. Mr. Coombes deserved their thanks for undertaking to act as. manager of the "team. As for the committee, every member had been imbued with the proper amount of enthusiasm, and he only hoped that any similar committee, on which he might act, would be of the same calibre..' Messrs. Hill and Keesing spoke in similar.strain. 'The chairman theu said he, would like to mention that the committee" were indebted to Mr. A."F.-Wilding, who had placed his services at their disposal for the tennis tournament, also'to Dr. Haskins, Who had gone to' personal expense in' an endeavour to rcpiesc-nt. the Dominion creditably,' and who broke down' when there seemed to bo good prospect of his winning tho mile. On the motion of the chairman, seconded by Mr. Hanna. it was decided, to pass the balance of Jt33 ss. Id. on to the NewZealand Olympic Council, members generally expressing the opinion that it could be put to lietter use. Mr. Hill then moved, and Mr. Pollock seconded, that the committee bo dissolved. —This v/as carried. A "social hour" followed, during which the chairman referred in appreciative terms to the manner in which the press had assisted . the movement. Tho Wei lington papers were always ready to ther the interest? of genuine sport. A volo of thanks to the pre'is was carried by. acclamation. ' Mr. Pollock subsequently presented the chairman with a framed, signed photograph of members of the committee. In doing so he made complimentary* reference to Mr. Marryatt's work at the head of affairs.