THE GLOBE. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 1880. THE C.R.C. BALL.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2048, 16 September 1880, Page 2

THE GLOBE. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 1880. THE C.R.C. BALL.

We have deferred any reference to the extraordinary conduct of the ball committee of the C.R.C. until after the general meeting, in order that both sides might bo beard and that one’s judgment should not be formed on ex parte statements. Considerable public feeling has been evoked in condemnation of the course taken by the committee, and wo waited with some interest the result of the opportunity afforded to the Canterbury Rowing Club, as a Club, of making, so far as they were concerned at least, the amende honorable. The meeting yesterday evening passed a resolution expressing their disapprobation, and also another that the offending committee were to apologise or resign; but we would point out that any expression of regret was made within the club, and not to the persons who had so wantonly been insulted. The proper course to have pursued was to have passed a resolution not only expressing disapprobation of the action of the committee and the system pursued by them, but also the regret of the club that any ladies should have been annoyed by their preposterous conduct. The offence and its consequences have been made public property, and it was, therefore, right that the club arrogating to itself the right to he considered the leading boating club, should offer the amplest apology for the laches of its erring committee. And, besides, it is not as if the Canterbury club would be the only sufferers in this matter. The interests of boating in Canterbury have, by the conduct of a few boys—as the parties of the committee who acted in the matter were styled by the chairman—been considerably jeopardised. The public have been accustomed, regarding rowing as a manly sport, and therefore worthy of support, to give liberally towards the expenses of regattas, such as the one held on the Heathcote and elsewhere, and also by becoming honorary members of the various clubs. But when it is found that wives, daughters, sisters, and female friends are liable to he slighted, not to say insulted, by one section of the boating community, it will at once he seen that much of such support may possibly he withdrawn in consequence. The present state of things is not altogether satisfactory. Under pressure the members of this aquatic Yehmgericht did apologise to the members of the club, but, as we have pointed out, this is not sufficient. What was wanted was a resolution somewhat to this effect:—“ That the members of the C.R.C. express their deep regret that certain ladies should have been subject to such an indignity, and desire to express their entire disapproval of and non-concurrence in such a proceeding.” Be it remembered that the club, as a club, knew nothing whatever of this hitherto nnheard-of system of balloting for ladies. They simply appointed a committee to carry out the details of the proposed hall, and it was the committee themselves who instituted this obnoxious method. But the committee were the representatives of the club, and the members were hound by their actions. Henco the necessity, as we suggest, for an emphatic disclaimer on the part of the general body. The chairman, it seems to us, hit the blot when he said that the neglect of older and more experienced members threw the election by the committee into the hands of hoys. Even allowing this, however, to he the case, it must have been at once apparent that to delegate the delicate task of issuing invitations to a committee so chosen would land the club in a dilemma. The lesson baa been severe, hut we trust will he appreciated and that care will he exercised in future on the occasion ef a ball being projected by the C.R.C. to entrust the management of affairs to the hands of gentlemen who can be trusted to act as such.