The Daily News. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 24. ATHLETICS IN NEW PLYMOUTH.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 323, 24 February 1910, Page 4

The Daily News. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 24. ATHLETICS IN NEW PLYMOUTH.

For some reason which athletic sports promoters in New Plymouth! have been quite unable to understand, the patronage forthcoming locally at ethletic gatherings in recent years has been very poor. For some years the Star Club eked out a precarious existence, and was succeeded by the Caledonian Society which, with the exception of the championship meeting held two years ago, has not succeeded in ."becoming a permanent institution. As a matter of fact, were it not for the .consistent support accorded by people from the inland towns, athletic sports ,clubs in New Plymouth would have ceased to exist long ago. As has .said, the reason for the paucity of iocal support is quite inexplicable, because the programmes have been attractive and the sport keen. A big effort is to be made this year, however, to improve and we are pleaded to see the Mayor, Mr. Ti6ch, is active,ly interesting himself in the project. At a public meeting held last night it was decided not to allow the Caledonian ?e----.ciety to drop out of existence, and to make an active canvass for t ,during the present week, with a view

to placing the Society on a sound financial basis. It would be a distinctly letrogreseive sign were it to became known tnat there was not enough enterprise in New Plymouth to hold an athletic sports meeting, particularly .when plenty of athletes and a splendid sports ground are available. With the establishment of amateur athletic clubs ,in Taranaki an impetus has been given to this class of sport, and by offering a programme of cash and amateur running and field events, and cash cycling races, the Society should reasonably anticipate being able to carry the meet ; iig to a successful conclusion.