A NEW ZEALAND CONFERENCE.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 12711, 25 January 1907, Page 8

A NEW ZEALAND CONFERENCE.

DISQUALIFICATIONS APPROVED. A Conference of Athletic Societies of New Zealand was opened on Wednesday night in the Caledonian Society's Hall, when nearly three hundred societies were represented. Mr G. AA". Woods, president of the New Zealand Athletic Union, occupied tho chair, and in addition to the members of the Executive Council, there were preterit the following representatives o| Centres: M««(-r.s ('. C. Lake and AA'ansborough (North Canterbury), J. P. Kalaugiier (South Canterbury*. I>. J. Corcoran and R. L. Rule (Otago). AA*. 07Cullender tHawko's Bay), -I. Clarke (Taranaki), D. Moriarity fWanganui), T. Duncan (Master-ton). John McGregor. AY. Munlock, nnd F. Musseu (Southlands H. K. Stanton (AAYst Coast 1. (1. AA'. O'Sullivan (Marlborough), and AY. R. Walker (Feilding). Several other delegates arrive in Christchurch from the North this morninj.. Th© secretary (Mr T. P. Gilfedder) read the annual report of the Executive, which was adopted on the motion of Mr R. L. Ride (Oamarn) and Mr J. P. Kalaugher (AV'inchestcr). The report stated that at the previous conference of athletic societies held st Wellington in Deeemlier, 1905. it was decided to form a New Zealand Athletic Union to embrace all kinds of athletic societies cash prizes with the exception of cycling, and to estinhlesh Centre* throughout v.-.--colony. Sino>> then centre* bare l>, «v

formed in the following districts:— North Canterbury, Siutii Canterbury, Otago, Southland. AVrst Coast. Manborough. AA'anganui. Feilding. AVairivrapa. Taranaki. Hawhe-'s Bay. an<i Auckland. Tiie estimated strength of tbe Union at tre present dato was three hu ml roil athletic sorietits. All parts ot New Zealand were now holding sports iintl.»r th" Union rules, and thorough .satisfaction was being given (ompetitors and tho public where the rule* were strictly enforced. The question of granting dates for snorts meetings had been in several eases <'.ecid»d upon by the Centres nnd th« Council, but only in one cai«e had the authority of the Union ignore*!. In this i rust a nee the Christchurch Scottish Society determined to hold a fixture on New A'oar's Day after a protest had been diily lodge*} by the Union in th" in-U-rr-s+s oP the affiliated Caledonian and other affiliated .societies holding sports on the same day. As a result, all mmp. titers at tbe Scottish Society's sports stood disqualified, and werv not eligible »<> compete at any registered meeting in New Zealand or Australia for five years. Tho lot of competitors had l«e«-n in many way—- improved by* tlie Union, and the Executive had striven to hei~ all kinds of afiileti \s in every way. Cheaper travelling by train and boat t.i registered meetings had been almost accomplished, and tlie assistance and co-operation of all sociities was en-listc-d in order to protect the bona !i!e competitor from the intrusion of .Mn!esirallies and disqualified persons. Reciprocal agreements had been entered into with several athletic leagues Tn Australia, and with the l_eaguo of New /(.aland AVhi* Imen. under which the Union endeavoured to help that branch of sport. Tho question of reciprocity with the New Zealand Axemen's Association had been reserved for confederation, and the New Zealand Amateur Association- requested to mret gentlemen from the conference in order to discuss terms of reciprocal agreement. Select committees to deal with certain matters were sot up.