ATHLETICS AND PUBLIC LIFE.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIII, Issue 9127, 23 April 1908, Page 8

ATHLETICS AND PUBLIC LIFE.

What i 8 to be the limit of the enterprise of distinguished persons called npon to assist in functions conneoted;vwith sport? seems to be a growing disposition to call upon these eminent people to manifest the sincerity of their attitude by participating personally in the sport in question. If a Mayor opens a rifle range he is expected to fire the first shot, and tne company is disappointed of he does not make a bull’s-eye. If he opens golf links he is expected to drive the ball, and not to indulge in a little excavation. Not long ago in England a Minister of the Crown kicked off at a football match, and a mayor has been known to take the first plunge when opening municipal swimming baths. But Rochester went a step further the other day, when the Mayor and Deputy-Mayor inaugurated the new boxing club with a three-round contest. The Mayor was stout and the Deputy-Mayor thin. Both were short of condition, and neither had had gloves on for years. But they fought » merry three rounds, and shook hands and sat down amid cheers, the result being a draw. By the end of the evening his Worship had sufficiently recovered to deliver a short address commending the usefulness of such clubs. There was nothing, he said, which taught a youth to find his level so quickly as boxing, “a remark the truth of which no youngster is likely to question, ’ ’ comments an English paper, “at all events during the elementary period of his acquaintance with the noble art.’’ —Press.