THE EMPIRE GAMES.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 58, Issue 84, 19 January 1938, Page 2

THE EMPIRE GAMES.

THE EXCLUSION OF HUGHES. AUCKLAND CENTRE’S PROTEST. AUCKLAND, January 18. The following resolutions are to be forwarded to the New Zealand Amateur Cycling Association, Wellington, as a result of a special meeting of the Auckland Centre to-night, held to discuss the exclusion of E. L. G. Hughes from the Empire Games team: “That this centre considers that both your association, through its resolution passed at a meeting on December 13, and the Olympic and British Empire Games Association, by its official notification to Hughes of his selection are bound by their own commitments to send Hughes to the Games as a representative of the Dominion in one, at least, of the cycling events. “That this centre would like to draw the attention of your association and the Olympic and Empire Games Association, to the fact that Hughes is the only rider to have won one of the trials whose selection is under dispute. All other trials winners were selected by your association. “That this centre does not desire that any of the other selected riders should be deleted from the team in order that Hughes may be included,

for this centre has paid the required guarantee mentioned by your association in its resolution at the meeting on December 13.

“That this centre considers that Hughes’ performances warrant his inclusion in the team. He won the longest trial (the ICO miles road race) at Christchurch on October 16. In track trials on December 4 he covered the kilometre in lmin 16 l-ssec, gaining third place, and finished third in the 10 miles, which A. G. Patrick won in 20min 46 2-ssec.

“That this centre strongly urges ,your association immediately to get into touch with the Olympic and British Empire Games Association advising it that Hughes must, under the extenuating circumstances, be included in the team for the Games.”

OTAGO CENTRE’S CRITICISM.

DUNEDIN, January 18

At the monthly meeting of the Otago centre of the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association to-night, strong criticism of the lack of interest shown by some members of the Dominion Council, by their absence from the special meeting held to select the Empire Games team, was expressed by several speakers,' who 'voiced the opinion that the selection had not given general satisfaction. Disapproval was also expressed at the council’s action in failing to select a marathon runner.

It was decided that the secretary Vrite Ho the Otago delegates on the council, asking them to furnish a report on the discussion that took place during the selection of the team.