SPORTS PROTECTION LEAGUE.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 465, 15 May 1912, Page 5

SPORTS PROTECTION LEAGUE.

TE KUITI BRANCH FORMED

The Sports Protection League, which has been organised for the purpose of conserving the interests of al! branches of sport thoughout the Dominion, is gradually linking up the sport lovers of the various districts into a united body. About a fortnight ago Mr F. W. Edwards, secretary of the Auckland branch of the League, paid a visit to Te Kuiti and arranged for a meeting to be held for the purpose of forming a local branch of the League. The meeting was held at the Town Hall last night. There was a very good attendance and the Mayor (Mr E. H. Hardy) presided. I After the object of the meeting had I been explained by the chairman, Mr j Paape, organising secretary of the League, delivered an address on the aims and objects of the League. He said that in view of the action of a band of extremists who were endeavouring to circumscribe the action of those engaged in various sports and pastimes, it had been deemed necsssary by a great number of liberal minded people to form a body to resist encroachment by the extremists. The names of those gentlemen who formed the first Board of Control of thQ League were a sufficient guarantee of the bona fides of the League, and much good had already been accom- j plished by it. Mr Paape said it had been stated the League was out in favour of the liquor trade and was also pledged to support the present Government. Such statements were ridiculous as was evidenced by the fact that Mr H. D. Bell, K.C., a member of the Board of Control, was a Prohibition supporter and was also opposed to the present Government. The League was out for clean sport of every description, and for resisting the endeavours of a band of extremists to dictate to the liberalminded section of the community. The speaker said that as an indication of the progress of the League over forty branches had been established throughout the Dominion during the past six months. At the conclusion of the address which was received with applause, a number of questions were satisfactorily answered by Mr Paape. It was unanimously decided by the meeting to form a branch of the League at Te Kuiti, and the following officers were elected : Patron, Mr E. H. Hardy; president, Mr N. C. Matthew; vice presidents, Major Lusk, Messrs Scholes, Falwasser, Steel, N. B. Lusk, Mostyn Jones, Sharpies, Walsh, Stevens and Howarth; committee, Messrs Simmons, Martin, Britain, Brewer and McColl; secretary and treasurer, Mr L. C. Harton. The secretary explained that no subscription was charged for membership, but silver badges were sold at 2s 6d each of which amount one shilling was retained by the branch