ATHLETICS.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 237, 6 October 1926, Page 14

ATHLETICS.

TWO STUBBORN WILLS.. CLASH IN N.Z. COUNCIL. (By Telegraph.-Special to "Star.") WELLINGTON, this day. The Council of the New Zealand Athletic Association strongly resents the imputation made by Mr. F. Wilton (West Coast) at a recent meeting that it is acting like a body of showmen in respect to overseas tours. Mr. Wilton adheres to his previous decision not to withdraw the statement, and declares that it was not intended, to be offensive, though made deliberately and after due consideration. Another stormy discussion last night ended in Mr. Wilton again leaving the meeting. When the minutes of the previous meeting were read, Mr. Wilton said the remark attributed to him should read "like an enterprising showman." The chairman. Mr. R. W. McVilly, said his recollection was that Mr. Wilton used the expression "a body of showmen." Mr. Wilton said he was never more certain of anything in lfis life than he was of the statement he used. The words "body of showmen" were \/ie chairman's not his. The secretary, in an acrimonious debate, pointed out that the minutes were borne out by the Press reports. They were adopted unchanged. The chairman then proceeded to deal with the reflection which he declared would be cast on the council by Mr. Wilton. He had been hoping Mr. Wilton would have put himself ripht with the council, but, instead, Mr. Wilton hud made an unfortunate remark which did not help the position. At n . later stage, Mr. Wilton said that, not wanting to interfere with the harmony between bis centre and the council, he had suggested to the centre that he should cease to represent it, but the centre desired him to continue to act. He had no course open but to attend. When tbe trouble occurred at tlie previous meeting he thought it would be better for the harmony of the meeting if be left. If it was considered hia remarks should still be withdrawn, he would have to take up a similar attitude asrain. In the end Mr. Wilton moved that the chairman's ruling be disagreed with; This was defeated. "I ehall be very brief. T wish you eood-night and success to amateur athletics," remarked Mr. Wilton in preparing to leave. "My term on the council has terminated." Mr. Connop said be would have to support Mr. Wilton, and accordingly he left also. SACRED HEART ROAD RACES. PINE PERFORMANCE BT JTTNIOR. Among , cheers and eboutn for the variousfavourites seventy boys faced the starter in tbe three miles and three-quarters annual Junior and nenlor road race, promoted bjr the Sacred Heart College yesterday afternoon. With thirty-nine competing, the Junior race commenced twenty minutes

before, the senior, and was run over the same track; from the college grounds along Jervolfl Road, to Cox's Creek, along Garnet Road, up Richmond Boad, and back to the college. A remarkable performance was made by Howe. In the Junior division, who covered the distance In faster time than the winner of the senior event, the former having covered thp distance in 23m 2Os, a time which, no doubt, will stand for many years as a record. The senior race differed, in so far as having a much more excitlDg finish. Elliott and Mervyn Smith showed up in the home straight first, and, making a ke<>n battle for the winning post, made the finish exciting. But, when within a few jards of the post. Elliott pushed slightly ahead, and won a good race from Smith, with Meyrick a close third. The results were as follow :— JUNIOR RACE, flicker (3*m). running time 25m 30s 1 Howe (erri. 23m 20s 2 Joyce (2Jm), 26m 20s 3 Fastest times: Howe 23m 20s, Hickey 25m 20s. Macdonald 26m 4s, Hamilton 26m ss, Joyce 26m 20s. SENIOR RACE. Elliott (3ml. 24m 20s 1 Mcrvyn Smith (2im). 23m 52s 2 Meyrick (3m). 25m 35s 3 Fastest times: Fay 23m 475, Mervyn Smith 23m 525, Farrell 24m, Hassan 24m Is.