ATHLETIC SPORTS.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume III, Issue 260, 31 March 1875, Page 2

ATHLETIC SPORTS.

It is often said, and with a deal of truth that the character of peoples, nations, and communities, is known by their pastimes and sports. A moment’s reflection upon the subject, will at once convince us of the great truth contained in the above saying., Is there a nation in the known world whose people are so generous, so large hearted, so liberal minded, so even tempered, or so truly courageous as are the British? Is there a nation whose sports aud pastimes are so free, so manly, or so courageous, as those of Britisher’s generally? We have the French whose chief athletic amusement is dancing, while they are great at cards and gaming of all descriptions. But whoever saw an eleven of Frenchmen worth anything at cricket, or a team of teenies charge at football ? Can you fancy a Frenchmen’s shin in a scrimmage at a Rugby school match? Why any public school would play a team with all France at either game. Then they are miserable at boating, it is only of late years that they have introduced gymnasiums, and those chiefly for the use of the army. Both Russia and Germany follow sports of a more manly kind, while the Chinese are pleased to play battledore and shuttlecock. Thus we see that little things amuse small minds. No doubt many people will say that the man makes the sport, and not the sport the man ; such, however, is not the case. Take, for instance, the Americans, originally descended from British ancestors, who possess all lhe true and noble characteristics of their nation, see how they have degenerated through the neglect of their sports and pastimes. These sons of noble sires now content themselves with cards, billiards, yankee-grab, doodleum bucks, and other similar pastimes. They are “ high” at trade, but “ low” in the social scale. It is only a short time ago, just after the result of the luterprovincial cricket match between Canterbury and Otago was made known that a writer iu the Otago Witness pointed out in a rather able manner, that the decisive victory gained by Canterbury on that occasion, was a proof of how fast and sure the people of Otago were degenerating both socially and morally; he shewed how that they were fastgiving themselves up to gain, having no thought to foster those noble sports and pastimes, which tend so much to develope alike their bodily, intellectual, social, and moral physique. Naturally novices will enquire how can sport of any kind improve one’s social or moral position ? This is easily explained. To become efficient in an' athletic sport, a person must be temperate and regular in his habits; he must be able to thoroughly control his temper; he must learn to keep calm, and coo], under all kinds of provocation; he must have his brain clear, his wits about him, and his mind must be fully engrossed with his then occupation. Did anyone ever see a violent or ill-tempered man, a snob or a coxcomb, a drowsy or sleepyheaded fellow, an evil minded or drunken person, that ever excelled in athletic sports? True sportsmen are sociable in the extreme. The band of fellowship that holds all practised athletes together is far stronger than any Masonic oath, or any Good Templar, or teetotal pledge. Does ever any Free Mason’s or Good Templar’s heart warm towards his fellow man, with that glow of genuine fellow feeling, admiration, or love, as does one athlete towards another, when he sees his brother in arms excelling all others, himself included, at any game? Now, if people through a lack of reasonable pastime, degenerate, how low are the inhabitants of this district going to descend before they endeavour to lift themselves out of the mire ? Among our numbers are to be found many who are able, and ought to be willing, to take part in any genuine sport, yet we have no cricket club, or even a ground in preparation for sports of any kind. What game can be more congenial or exhilirating than cricket? It makes men of boys, aud hoys of men. An attempt has been made to start boating, but unfortunately, the movement has been somewhat nipped in the bud. The club having encumbered themselves with two boats that are totally unfit t > practice in, the work not being properly set, nothing but bad habits, in rowing, could be learned in them. Thus this truly invigorating exercise is to be denied to the community for some time Io come. Now all this can and ought to be remedied. The first great want is a playground

for cricket, football, Caledonian games, and other athletic sports. Let a meeting be called and three good and true men appointed to select a suitable site. It, no doubt, is the duty of the Government to provide a recreation ground for every centre of population; therefore if tiio Government possesses a suitable site, the committee could point it out to the authorities, who would, no doubt, if reminded in a proper manner, rectify their error, and at once grant the site, otherwise a piece of ground would have to be leased for the purpose. No time should be lost in commencing operations, as now is the time to prepare for next season. This ought also to be impressed upon the boating men ; let them decide at once, are they going to maintain the club, or show the white feather? If the former, let (hem muster at once, remedy their mistake, and fit QieniselveS out in such efficiency for next season,- that they will command members, and not have to beg ■ tor them. It is to be hoped that the ’ muscular Christians of Poverty Bay will at once come out of theirhaunts and shew their biceps; let them no longer be content with billiard rooms, and other smoky resorts, let them all go in as one man whole heart and soul fully determined Io succeed, always remembering, “that all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.” Junius;