POPULAR SPORTS ASSOCIATION.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2110, 27 November 1880, Page 3

POPULAR SPORTS ASSOCIATION.

The adjourned meeting of the oommittee of the above was held at 5 p.m. yesterday at the City Council Chamber. Present—Messrs Andrews, 0. B. Taylor, Alport, Gherrill, Hebden, Hulbert, Haskins, Walkden, Crooks, Farr, Lambert, Draper, R. 0. Bishop, Frank Hobhs, E. O. Farr. Mr Andrews took the chair on the motion of Mr 0. B. Taylor, seconded by Mr R. 0. Bishop. Mr Haskins said that he desired to move that the standing rule as to the eleotion of members of oommittee standing over for a week be suspended for that meeting, and that members of committee may now be proposed and elected.

Mr Hebden seconded the motion, which was carried.

A letter was read from Mr F. 0. Hull, asking that a olerk of entries be appointed in his place, as he expeoted to be away from town on anniversary day. A letter was read from Mr Williams, seoretary of the amalgamated sports oommittee, asking for the loan of flags and ropes for their sports on Boxing Bay. Messrs W. F. Warner, Robert Allan, E. F. Oogan, E. G. Farr, W. E. Samuels, N. K. Gherrill, J. Q. Walker, J. R. Thornton, J. W. Draper, and Professor Biokerton were elected as members of the committee. Mr Walkden gave another brief but comprehensive report on the ground, stating that a little mowing was required of the grass on the terrace and the running course. Mr Hebden moved—" That all matters of detail with respeot to the ground be left to the ground committee." Professor Biokerton seconded the motion, which was agreed to. Mr Hulbert called attention to the bad state of the ground selected last year for the children's sports. Mr Walkden said it would receive attention. In reply to Mr Alport, the Seoretary stated that there bad not been any replies to his letters sent to the Government, the Domain Board, and the lessee of the Park. Mr Hebden moved—" That the ground committee wait on the Domain Board and ask for the use of the ground." Mr Hulbert seconded the motion, whioh was carried. Mr Haskins obtained leave to withdraw the notice of motion as to the dropping of the sports givon by him at last meeting. The Chairman brought up the programme as amended by the oommittee.

Professor Biokerton said he thought it was right for them to make the sports partake more of the amateur element than previously. He thought also they should discontinue the heavy prizes given last year. Mr Hulbert agreed with Professor Biokerton, and thought that they might get up popular sports which would be as amusing as anything they could give. He thought that they should confine themselves to the money they had in hand aad what they expected to realise from the sale of booths, spending it as economically as possible to provido amusement for the public. Mr Hebden spoke strongly against the course proposed by Professor Biokerton and Mr Hulbert. The races proposed to be struck out might be taken up by a rival association, and they would find it a very dangerous rival. Without they gave the races on the programme, they would find that they would not get a large attendance. He thought they should pause before altering the programme, and to a great extent the constitution of the sports themselves. He further trusted that they would not strike out the ohampion race, because it was an inoentive to competitors, not only to enter into a larger number of events, but also it gave them better running. He hoped that though they might reduce the value of the prize, that they would not strike it out altogether. Mr Alport pointed out that the programme oommittee had not done anything more than reduoe various prizes offered. Some further disoussion ensued, and then Professor Biokerton moved, "That the whole question of the programme be reopened." Mr Lambert seoonded this motion, expressing his concurrence with the remarks of Mr Hulbert and Professor Biokerton as to the necessity of popularising the sports as much as possible and keeping out the professional elemont, which seemed to run through the programme. Mr Hulbert thought that it would be muoh better for the programme to be reconsidered, and a report brought up at next meeting. He was still strongly in favor of popularising the sports as much as possible.' Mr Alport said he thought that if they had the report of the oommittee read they would see perhaps that the work had been done. The Chairman read the programme as amended by the oommittee. Mr Taylor thought that the programme should be confined to their own people, who provided the money for the sports. Mr Crooks, after some disoussion, wished to move that the oommittee accept the report of the oommittee. The Chairman pointed out that this could not be put, as it was simply a negation of Professor Bickerton's motion. A lengthy discussion ensued, and ultimately Mr Oherrill moved, as an amendment, "That the report of the programme oommittee be referred back to the committee with a request that they will insert some items such as suggested by Professor Biokerton." After some further discussion, the amendment was not seconded and fell through. Professor Biokerton then obtained leave to withdraw his motion, and nothing but the programme, as reported by the committee, was before the meeting. Mr Hebden stroDgly urged the insertion of a champion prize. He would, with Mr Bishop, guarantee a prize of £5 5s to be offered as a champion prize, if the committee would acoept it. It was decided to adopt the programme as reported, with the addition of Mr Hebden's champion prize. Mr Lambert offered a private prize for a mile bicycle race in place of the wheelbarrow race. Some discussion ensued as to the retention of the tug of war on the programme. It was decided, after some further remarks, that the respective sides need not oome in uniform, but a distinguishing badge to be worn, and that 10s entrance fee be charged for eaoh team. ' The meeting then adjourned till Tuesday next, at 4 p m.