ANNIVERSARY SPORTS.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1504, 11 December 1878, Page 3

ANNIVERSARY SPORTS.

A meeting of the sports committee was held at the City Council Chamber. Present—His Worship the Mayor, Messrs Alport, Wachsman, Mitchell, Andrews, Walkden, Pratt, Haskins (hon. see.), and Hebden. His Worship the Mayor occupied the chair. The plan of the ground and booths was laid on the tablo.

Mr Alport reported the sales of the booths, &c, as already published, amounting in all to £BS. He also stated that Mr West had declined to take up his sito, as he intended to put up a riflo gallery, and was informed that the committee could not allow such an erection, the row of sites being reserved for the sale of fruit and confectionery. Several applications had been received for the vacant site, but none of them were such as the committee could recommend. He had ordered a ladies' tent from Mr Hale, and had arranged for the supply of furniture from Mr A. J. White.

Mr Mitchell said on Sunday ho had found that boys had knocked the tap of the artessian well off by using a stone, and he had severely reprimanded the offenders. Some conversation ensued as to the amount of accommodation to be provided in the ladies' tent.

Mr Alport energetically defended the amount proposed to be expended, contending that the accommodation they proposed to provide was only what was necessary. Mr Pratt moved —" That the report of Mr Alport be adopted, and the tent, as proposed, be erected, with the addition of a box being placed in the tent to receive the contributions of ladies."

The motion was agreed to. Tenders for the supply of the band were opened, as follows : —Mr B. Button, £l2; Toomer's band, £l2. Mr Pratt moved—" That the tender of Toomer's band be accepted." Mr Hebden seconded the motion, which was agreed to. Tenders were received for the printing 5000 programmes on cartridge and ordinary paper, and the following accepted :—J. T. M. Smith and Co., on cartridgo paper, £5 ss. Some discussion ensued as to the mode in which the toys for the children were to be distributed, a peculiar modesty being displayed on the part of the members to take charge of this department. Ultimately it was resolved to request Mr Wynn Williams to undertake the management of the children's amusements, in conjunction with another member of the committee.

Mr Walkden suggested that it would be as well if tickets were issued at the gate with the programme to voluntary contributors to the funds, which ticket would entitle the children to receive a certain toy. This was considered as not being feasible, as the cost of the toys under such circumstances would be very great. Mr Pratt moved—" That the sum of £l2 be expended in toys for the children." The motion was agreed to. It was resolved that each committeeman take one hour each during the day to collect the contributions at the gates, and it was also resolved that the services of volunteers be requested to assist the committee. Mr Alport said that there had been a committee deputed to wait upon Mr Harman as to the provision of a place for carriages and and horses, and he had seen Mr Elder as to the placing of the carriages and horses in the North Park.

Mr Andrews said he had seen Mr Harman, and had told him that the wishes of the committee went in the direction of allowing the carriages and horses to be placed upon the folding ground in the north park. Mr Harman said that if Mr Elder came to him and stated that this was the wish of the committee, the Board would, perhaps, have no objection to the carriages and horses being placed on the folding ground, if the committee made arrangements with Mr Elder to remunerate him for putting up the hurdles so as to form an enclosure.

Mr Hebden said that his idea was that Mr Elder was endeavoring to make a market out of the sports, and charge a certain amount per head. Mr Andrews said that in this case he, for one, should oppose the allowing Mr Elder to make any charge. After some further discussion it was decided that the committee take no steps at all with regard to vehicles. Mr Walkden said that the grand stand had been put up in such a wretched style that he wished to have something to cover it, as he was really ashamed of it being seen at all. Part of it had been put up in such a style that he had had to order it to bo rebuilt. This was a sample of the way in which work was done by contract hero. He wished to bring the matter before the committee with a view of having the stand covered up, as it was a very ugly building as it stood. Mr Hebden moved—" That the matter be adjourned until Eriday next, in order to enable the committee to inspect the stand." Mr Andrews seconded the motion.

Mr Alport moved, as an amendment — " That Mr Walkden he instructed to procure carpets to cover the seats of the grand stand." After some discussion, Mr Alport's amendment was withdrawn and Mr Hebden's motion agreed to. Mr Walkden read a draft of the proposed letter to be published in the daily papers as to the voluntary subscriptions invited on the day of the sports from the public attending them.

The draft letter as read, with some slight alterations, was adopted.

Mr Hebden moved —"That the lotter be advertised in the daily, evening and weekly papers." The motion was agreed to. After a slight desultory conversation, Mr Andrews moved—" That Mr Alport be instructed to let the vacant spot of ground bought by Mr West to the best advantage." Mr Mitchell seconded the motion, which was agreed to. Mr Alport was instructed to engage the necessary men to look after the grand stand, &c.

The meeting then adjourned until 4 p.m. on Friday.