COMBINED CHAMPIONSHIP MEETING.

Auckland Star, Volume XII, Issue 31, 6 February 1891, Page 3

COMBINED CHAMPIONSHIP MEETING.

Officials for the Meeting.

Committee of Management: Messrs J. H. B. L,oate ß , J. F. Grierson, P. G. Withers, and Hon. Secretaries of all affiliated Clubs. Referee : d..> • S* ,?■ Coates. Judges: Messrs J. H. Farker, R. Garrett, and J. F. Logan. Standard Judge :Mr L. Coupland. Judges of Walking : Messrs Mahon, Cotter, and Beale. Timekeepers: Messrs A. Lowry. J. E. Cooke, -fnce. Standard Timekeeper: Mr L. W. Louuland. Starter: Mr F. VV. Edwards. men: A 'A-A. Club Committee. Clerks or the Course : Messrs McKinney and Service. ground Committee : A.A.A. and C. Committee. x!°?*a . &e , c retaries: Messrs I_. A. Cuff, J - F - Gl * ie rson, Acting N.Z. A.A. A., aIaS c?b. N ' z - c - A - J - Halyday * JUQr "

Fortune smiled upon the first combined meeting of the New Zealand Amateur Abhlebic Associabion and 'Cyclists' Alliance, which commenced on the Domain Crickeb Ground this afternoon. The weather was all thab could have been desired. The sun shone brightly in a cloudless sky, everything was at its brightest and cheeriest, and the summer heat was considerably cooled by a deliciously fresh but light southerly breeze. The day was nob a public holiday, and consequently it waa feared that the number of spectators assembled would not be large, bub during the afternoon the sports were very well patronised, there being on the ground soon after the commencement of bhe programme some 2.000 onlookers. Proceedings were enlivened by tho performances of Hunter's Band, which contributed a choice selection of popular music. It will be interesting, before prococding to refer to the events of tho day, to supply some informatin concerning the Association. The New Zealand Athletic Association was formed at Christchurch in 18S7, and its amateur status dates from Augusb lsb, 1887, while bhe Auckland Amateurs date from November Ist, 1884. The object of the Association was to become a colonial concern, and to arrange and carry oub annual meetings ab the principal athletic centres throughout tho colony. The first Championship Meeting was held at Dunedin in December, 1889. At that meeting this province wes represented by Messrs B. Owen, J. C. Hutchinson and J. W. Winks, but they did not succeed in carrying off any of the prizes competed for. At the New South Wales Championship Meeting, in May of lasb year, a New Zealand team of amateurs competed. They carried off naarly all the prizes, amongst the most successful competitors being Mr-R. B. Lusk, of the Auckland Amateur Athletic Club, who won the 120 Yds Hurdle Race. Ib will also be remembered that ab this meeting Mr J. IT. Hempton, of the Southland Club, N.Z., succeeded in defeating the famed New South Wales sprinter, W. T. Macpherson, in the IOOYds. The present meeting is the first in which the Amateur Athletic Association and Cyclists' Alliance have combined. This amalgamation was brought about acting upon a suggestion made by the Auckland Amateur Athletic Club, but it is regarded somewhat as an experiment, and ibs continuance is dependent to a great extent on the result of this meeting. The New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association includes the local asaocia bions ab Auckland, Napier, Wellington, Christchurch, Oamaru, Timaru, Dunedin, and Invorcargrill, so that the principal colonial centres are well represented. Tho officers of tho Athletic Club aro:—President, J. H. B. Coates, Esq. (Auckland); Vico-Presidents : F. Wilding, Esq. (Christchurch); F. N. Robinson. Esq. (Napier); H. M. Reeves, Esq. (Timaru); F, N. Denniston, Esq. (Dunedin) ; J. Stuarb Menteath, Esq. (Wellington). Hon. Secretary and Treasurer: L. A. Cuff (Christchurch). The Cyclists' Alliance is also a Colonial Association, the headquarters of which are ab Christchurch. Ib dabes furbher back than the New Zealand Amateur Athlebic Associabion, and, like this combination, has branches throughout the whole of this colony. The officers of the 'Cyclists' Alliance are: — President, H. WynnWilliams, Esq.; Vice-Presidents, J. H. B. Coates, Esq., and the Presidents of all affiliated ciubs ; Hon. Treasurer, A. Lowry, Esq.; Hon. Secratary, P. G. Withers, Esq.

In the present combined meeting the greatest possible interest has been evinced throughout New Zealand and also in New South Wales, with the result that .he competitors ab this meeting include representatives from Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin,* and Auckland, as well as a team from New South Wales. The number of Amateurs who are now enrolled under the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association will number close on one thousand.

The results of several of this afternoon's events are given on our elglith page.