SPORTS COMMITTEE.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1513, 21 December 1878, Page 3

SPORTS COMMITTEE.

A meeting of tho popular sport 3 committee wr.3 held yco'erday at the City Council Chambers. Present—Messrs J. Oilivijr in the chair, Alport, O ipe*, Walkden, Pratt, Mitchell, S P. Andrew*, ffebden. A statement of accounts of tho late sports was re it, showi"e a balance in favok-ot the conimt'fee of £\'j'j 4n (!l.

Mr Ollivior handed in his li§t of sulncrip. tione, and it was resolved that the outstanding subscriptions, amounting to £2l odd, be obtained as early as possible.

A letter was read from tho A.0.F., asking for the loan of ropes, &c, on tho occasion of their sports on Boxing Day. The ground committeo accounts were brought up, showing a balance in favor. A letter was read from Mr M'Cleary complaining that in the walking race Godfrey broke, and that a protest had been entered against the prizs being awarded to Godfrey. It was decided to refer tho matter to Mr Wachsmann, the refereo of tho sports.

It was resolved to award the first and second prizes in tho Tug of War as applied for by Mr Ashby. A letter was read from Mr W. Simmons, the lessee of the sports on tho ground, requesting the return of £5 of tho amount paid by him for the right of sports beyond those sold by tho committee. The request was declined unanimously. The request of the Foresters for the loan of ropes, &c, was granted on tho motion of Mr Mitchell, on the understanding that they bo returned, and in consideration of the valuable services rendered by the Foresters at the recent sports. The committee further laid down the resolution that the granting of the loan of articles in this caso was not to be taken as a precedent. Mr Andrews applied for tho loan of the sacks and masks for a Sunday school picnic. Tho committee decided that they could not, in the face of the resolution just passed, accede to the request. On tho motion of Mr Hebden, an ordor was given for the winner of jump to receive the cup from Messrs Petersen and Co. A number of accounts were passed for payment.

The report of tho treasurer of tho sports was read. Ho recommended that next year yome one should be placed in charge of the grand stand, to prevent smoking, discharge of crackers, &c. It was recommended that a charge should be made for the ladies' tent next year. Tho practice of crushing in by tho crowd on the course was spoken of, as also the throwing of crackers. Tho services of the members of the Ancient Order of Foresters was acknowledged with thanks. The Chairman said that next year, unless they had power to enforce order on the occasion of sports, the sooner they let tho sports alone the better. Through tho beastly selfishness of a portion of the public, the enjoyment of the large majority of those present was stopped. It was time,|therefore, that the committee asked the public to protect them in the discharge of their duties. They required an Act passed so as to enable the Domain Board to delegate their powers to the committee for that one day in the year. They could then erect a picket fence, within which any intruders could be removed and handed over to the police. This power was possessed on the racecourse, and thoy should have it also. What they should do was to ask the Domain Board to receive a deputation from tho committee, who would lay before tho Board their views plainly and straightforwardly. Then they might call a public meeting, so that their hands might be strengthened. They must have power to hand over any intruders who repeated the indecent conduct of the few on Monday last, to the police. When they had arranged for tho erection of a commodious bridge over tho river, they would have to erect a picket fence, and also sow down the Sandhills with grass. It must bo remembered that they were not wishing to rostrict tho liberty of the people at all. Bags would be placed at the gates, and all that the public would bo required to do was to keep outside tho picket fence. It would not interfere with tho lessee at all, indeed it would rather he an advantage. All ho could say was this, that if the unseemly behaviour of Monday last was repeated, ho for one would decline having anything further to do with tho sports. [Hear, hear.j Mr Andrews spoke strongly in favor of the picket fenco being adopted by the committee, which he felt sure would completely put a stop to a repetition of such disorderly conduct as that of Monday. Mr Gapes thought that the proposition to erect a fence in the park would bo very distasteful to the general body of the public. Mr Hebden was of the same opinion as Mr Gapes on this question.

Mr Gapes enquired whether special application had beon made to the Commissioner of Police for the services of a number of policenisn on the occasion. Mr Mitchell was convinced of tho utter inutility of attempting to keep the crowd in order without a picket fence being erected. Tho pohce would not be able to do the work of clearing the course. In Melbourne the committee of the Deaf and Dumb Asylum had recently had the power delegated to them of closing the Botanical Gardens for a certain time. If this were granted to the committee they would be enabled to carry out their sports, but not otherwise. He would move the following resolution— " That a committee be appointed to interview the Domain Board in reference to the future arrangements for sports on Anniversary Day—lst, To consider the ability to erect a permanent fence around the sports ground and to enforce order. 2nd, In the event of construction of a permanent bridge, to ask the assistance of the Domain Board in the erection thereof. 3rd, With regard to power to admit private carriages within specified limits. 4th, To allow a permanent locality for a depot for the materials of tho grand stand or the eroction of a permanent stand."

Mr Alport seconded the motion, which was agreed to. The following gentlemen were elected as the committee —The chairman, Messrs Mitchell, and Alport. Mr Mitchell moved—" That in consequence of the small amount collected by the boxes — 8s 5d —at the ladies' tent, and in consideration of the great expense attending tho erection and services at same, the ladies' tent bo not repeated unless a charge be made for the use thereof."

Mr Andrews seconded tho motion, which was agreed to. A vote of thanks was passed to Mr P. Elder for his co-oporution at the sports, and it was decided that a suitable memorial, in consideration of the trouble to which Mr Elder was put, be presented to him.

Mr Andrews saitl that ho could say that the protests entered in the walking race was unfounded. It was resolved that Mr Wachsmann be asked to give his decision on the matter, and that the treasurer pay on such report. On tho motion of Mr Alport, Messrs Walkden, Hebden, Wachsmann, Andrews, and Pratt were appointed a permanent ground committee, in whose hands the ground should bo placed during the recesg. Votes of thanks were given to the ground committee, Mr F. C. Hall, and all who assisted the committee during tho day.