ASSOCIATED SPORTS

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2605, 29 October 1915, Page 3

ASSOCIATED SPORTS

SMOKE CONCERT AT TOWN HALL. A smoke concert, arranged by tlio associated amateur sports bodies of Wellington was held in the Town Hall Concert Chamber last night, Dr. Newman, M.l\, presiding. Tho- object of the gathering was to consolidate tlio various sports bodies in Wellington and to assist the Christinas shilling gift fund lor the troops at tlio front. Those present included amateur swimmers, rowing men. crickoters, bowlers, golfers, athletes, footballers, tennis, and hockey players. Before a start was made with the musical programme, the chairman said ho was pleased to see that so few men engaged in sports were present. It indicated that a largo proportion of athletes had already enlisted. Goody-goody' people might say that men should not play football, but no class in tho community had done so well as the sporting men. In the meantime, he did not see why tlio younger men should not koep on playing until tlio time came for them to join the colours. Many of tho best n.o.c.'s in camp had been drawn from the ranks of tho athletes.

Sir Joseph Ward addressed the gathering briefly. After expressing his appreciation of the object in vioiv, lie remarked on the spirit of unselfishness which all healthy sports induced. Ho hoped men would continue . to play games until their turn came to enlist. It was a British characteristic that When things looked blackest they emerged victorious. At tho present time, in spite of dark clouds, there . was room for buoyant hope that Prussian militarism would be crushed. (Cheers.) Tho British armies had astonished the world; it was wonderful how Kitchener and those associated with him had raised millions of men. I Tlio main tiling was tho supplying of ample munitions. New Zealand had accomplished wonders, though it had taken us somo months to realise the magnitude of tho war. It was a grand thing to know that from the ranks of tho "sports" more men had beon drawn than from any other section,of the community. After the war there would bo a great revolution in social conditions which would bring about one great unitod Empire, ablo to resist any attempt to disturb its integrity for centuries to come. If, by any chaance, the Empire suffered defeat, tho first to feel it would bo tho workers. A condition of affairs would result which would mako our lives not worth _ living. In this country's earnest desire to aid tlio Homeland, party had been forgotten and should not ho remembered whilo tho war lasted. Ho thought the Balkan trouble would tend to longthen the war a good deal, but.tho marvels which had been done in the past twelve months, and the large armies now in the field must mako everyone remember that the Allies would not be baulked by any difficulties. It would bo a fatal mistake to give up our hold of Gallipoli. As Sir Joseph Ward left the hall he was cheered. The performers who contributed to the concert wero: Mr. W. M'Lauglilin's orchestra, Mr, R. L. Peek; Masters Claude Tucker and Winston M'Carthy. Mr. W. H. D. Bennett, Mr. Ernest LultS; and Mr. James Dykes. Soeeches concerning the consolidation of kindred sports and the purpose of tho gathering were a,lso delivered by' Mr. C. G. Wilson, chairman of the Cricket Association, and Mr. A. H. Hindinarsh, M.P.