HUNT CLUB BALL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 2627, 1 September 1923, Page 2

HUNT CLUB BALL.

(To the Editor.) Sir, —It is evident-from man’s” letter, which appeared in your last issue, and also from a certain amount of the discussion that took place when the delegation from the Ball Committee waited on the Borough Council; that a degree of misapprehension exists with regard to the object of the recent Hunt and Racing Club Ball. A little explanation on the subject may, therefore, prove in season. Some months ago, in response to a public announcement, a meeting of local sportsmen was held, and a “United Sports Association” formed. The local Athletic Club threw in its lot with the united body, the object of which is to hold a very comprehensive sports meeting on the racecourse in February annually. Since its inception, the United Sports Association has been doing its inital work without funds. When it was definitely known that a Point-to-Point Steeplechase was to be held in Foxton, it was suggested that to mark the occasion a ball should be held, under the auspices of the combined Racing and Hunt Clubs, in aid of the funds of the United Sports Association. The idea was taken hold of promptly, and a combined meeting was held of the committees of the United Sports Association, the Racing Club, and local members of the Hunt Club. As a result, it is now general knowledge that the ball was carried to most successful fruition, and will, without doubt, be .an annual function. It will be realised, therefore, that the surplus funds from the Ball (and at the

outset we were rather dubious as to results, especially when confronted with a £lO charge for the Town Hall, subsequently reduced to £7 10s) were earmarked from the start, a fact that appears to have escaped public notice, although stated as the ultimate object of the Ball. However, the funds of the United Sports Association will be utilised at all times in the furtherance of its big annual sports programme, which embraces all classes of sport, and in this way both the town and the Band will benefit directly, since there appears to be no doubt whatever that the services of the Band will be required at the annual gatherings of the Association. I have to apologise, Sir, for my rather lengthy explanation, which, I trust, will dispel the rather vague ideas that appear to exist regarding the object of the Ball, which, after all, was held primarily to wind up an eventful day as pleasurably as we could, and if possible, make a little money for a kindred tion. Thanking you in anticipation,*—I am, etc., W. JEWELL,