OTAGO CENTRE N.Z.A.A.A

Otago Witness, Issue 2722, 16 May 1906, Page 58

OTAGO CENTRE N.Z.A.A.A

A special meeting of the Otago Centre of the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association was held on Friday evening to consider, amongst other things, the proposed reciprocity between the New Zealan4 Amateur Athletic Association and the recently- mmed professional body, the New Zealand Athletic Union. Mr S. Jacobs was in the chair, and there were 16 delegates present. Mr A Marryatt moved— "That the Otago Centre is of opinion that any arrangement made with the New Zealand Athletic Union would be detrimental to the interests of amateurism." -Speaking to the motion, Mr Marryatt said the proposed agreement was, m his opinion, againßt the spirit of the constitution of the Amateur Athletic Union of Australasia, which restrict* the establishment of alliances with any other than amateur bodies. The N.Z.A.A.A., of which the Otago Centre was the local representative, claimed jurisdiction over all amateur runners in New Zealand, and according to its definition every man was an amateur until he broke the association's laws. Once he did so he became a professional, and, as far as the association was concerned, he was beyond the pale. M the N.Z.A.A.A. recognised any association ot professionals, as it would do by entering lmo an agreement of reciprocity, it would be cuttin" the ground from uncjer its own feet and unSermining its own foundation. Any recognition given by the amateur governing body must raise the "statue of the professional and to do the latter would be detrimental to amateurism. No hostility was meant to the N'L A.U., who were perfectly justified in doing the best for their own side. The speaker instanced the sport of cycling some years ago, when a similar movement to the present one took place. Cash amateurs were recognised in contra-distinction to amateurs. The Teeult to-day was that the amateur cyclist was almost extinct. Cash amateurs were not wanted in running. The best, way to meet the newly-formed professional body was to fall in with the scheme propounded by the Wellington Centre, which was to raise funds to send a representative to all the centres in New Zealand to organise amateurs. What was wanted was to give everyone in the colony an opportunity to run amateur, and this couia only be done by organising clubs where at present none ' existed. In conclusion, the (speaker stated that in his opinion the panic that had. been created was ill-founded, and that the New Zealand Athletic Union would not prove the serious rival the council anticipated.

Mr J. Hamann seconded the motion, and in doing so stated that he thought amateurs were quite strong enough to look after themselves. Another delegate, having endorsed, the jj«t-

vious speakers' remarks, the motion was put to the meeting and carried unanimously. A message from Mr A. Paape, the local officer of the N.Z.A.A.A. in Invercargill. was read in connection with the proposed Interprovincial Cross-country Championship, advising the centre- that the date for the race (June 4), decided at a recent meeting, was unsuitable for Southland competitors, and suggesting that the event be held on May 24 at Wingatui.— After some discussion the original resolution was rescinded, and it was decided to hold the Cross-country Championship on May 24 at Wingatui. A sub-commit tee waa appointed to arrange matters, including entertainment of visiting athletes in connection with the Interprovincial Cross-country Championship.

The question of nrizes in connection with the Cross-country Championship having been raised, it was resolved that the same prizes as laM year be given to the winning teams. It was decided to pupport the Canterbury Centre in terms of the following resolution passed at a recent meeting of the latter body "That it be a recommendation to the council that a list be o-t once compiled of all registered athletes, the same to be added to from time to time whenever first registrations tak« place, a copy of such list and additions thereto +0 be forwarded to each centre secretary and ba available to secretaries of cubs throuzh. the centres, and. furbher. that the council's rule as to registration be strictly enforced."

A request was received fr?m the New Zealand Council far a copy" of the balance sheet in connection with tlie recent championship meeting. The treasurer noiirted out that, owing to several entry fees being still outstanding, and a number of tickets b?ing unaccounted for. h« had so far been unaole to prepare a balance sheet. When these came to hand a balance sheet would be submitted. — It vb« resolved that a balance sheet be forwarded to the council, showing all efiiry fees paid and balance of tickets outstanding. It was resolved that the secretary of the Waitouaiti Caledonian Society be written to asking whether all successful competitors in the amateur races at the meeting held on Boxins- Day. 19M. received trophies or orders, and, if the latter, upon what firms were the orders given.

In connection with the Schools' Champion-s-hir) meeting, it was d-°cirled on the motion of Mr Lang, seconded by Mr Marryatt, that a committee consistine of Messrs H?mann, G. Anderson. Marryatt. Sanderson. L. Anderson, and Lang wait on the school teachers with a view to the formation of a Schools' Athletic Association.

The Union Harriers (Southland) advised that Mt A. Cannon had been apnointp^ the club's delegate on the Otago Centre. — The ariTxrintment was apmoved. as waa al=o that of Messrs O'Kane and Patrick as delegates of the Otago University Athletic C!ub and Mr A. Smith as delegate of the Dunedin Anglican Harriers. The mee+ing closed with a vote of thanks to the chair.