ATHLETICS.

Press, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20712, 24 November 1932, Page 7

ATHLETICS.

I —,—« ! i THE PROFESSIONAL BODY. ANNUAL MEETING HELD. The annual meeting c£ the 'North Canterbury Centre of tho New Zealand Athletic, Cycling, and Axemen's Union was held last evening, Mr W. J. Walter presiding. Annual Report. ! The annual report stated that at present 16!} competitors and nine clubs were affiliated with the centre, four of the clubs paying out prize money of over £IOO or having more than 50 membora. The majority of the clubs had done a great deal to encourage the sport in North Canterbury, though several clubs had been forced to abandon their annual fixtures. Cycle racing had experienced a boom during the season, road races practically every week having drawn record entries. Track meetings had also attracted improved fields. With the possibility of a new cycle trade at English Park, the prospects for the coming season were exceptionally bright. The Waimate-to-Christchurch road race, which had this year carried with it the title of ",U5 miles Australasian road championship," had attracted riders from all over the Dominion, the entry of 137 being a record. The centre was greatly indebted to douors of prizes and to all helpers. Athletic and axemen's events had improved greatly, weekly evening at'hletic meetings being held during the summer months. The great success of the athletics had been largely due to the excellent handicapping of Mr J. R. Atkinson. Tho centre wished to express its thanks to the Press l'or its valuable assistance during tho year. The financial statement, which showed a satisfactory position, was considered in committee and adopted. Speaking to the annual report, the chairman said that there was every possibility of the track at English Park being relaid. It had been decided to hold an opening evening meet- [ ing on December 17th, with a big demonstration and procession beginning from the Square. ! Election of Officers. Officers were elected as follow^: — President, Mr W. J. Walter; vice-presi-dents, Messrs G. Henderson and J. M. Coffe}-; chief consul Mr W. J. Walter; deputy-consul. Mr 0. Henderson; permit committee, Messrs J. Coffey, C. Henderson, W. J. Walter, and P. C. Lucas; secretary and treasurer, P. C. Lucas; executive, Messrs S. 13. Kershaw, C. J. Sowden, T. P. O'Rourke, .tv. J. McClelland, and J. R. Atkinson: delegates to the New Zealand conference, Messrs Lucas and Coffey; cycling handieappers, Messrs Walter and Lucas; athletic handicapper, Mr J. A. Atkinson: ! auditor, .Mr W. P. Daly. I General Business, i The Canterbury Rowing Association wrote advising that an oarsman would not lose his amateur status by assisting at any of the centre's meetings. The Xew Zealand Union wrote expressing its approval of the trausler ot the affiliation of the Rakaia Club from the South Canterbury to the North Canterbury Centre. It was decided to write thanking both the New Zealand Union and the South Canterbury Centre for their courtesy. . ' lO Zealand Union wrote stating that the annual conference would be held in 1 Timaru on January 3rd.

Tho TCillinchy Cycling Club was granted a permit to hold a. road race on ( December 3rd. I The Lincoln Athletic and Cycling Club was granted affiliation. It was decided to hold a 20-mile Derby championship at Mairehau on the evening of December Bth. A Term of Suspension. A. C. Ritchie, who had been suspended | until the hearing of a charge against him of abusive behaviour at the Show Grounds on the day of the aimateChristehurch road race, appeared to stato his case. Mr J. R. Atkinson said that he had approached Kitchie several times and unsuccessfully requested him to leave the oval, finally having to demand his ■withdrawal, when he was abused and ashed to go round the back and fight. After his case had been reported at the last meeting, Ritchie had called to his place of employment, abused him, and wanted to fight. Stating his side of the case, Ritchie, who admitted the offences, said that he had gone off the oval when requested, but had returned a second time when a number of others had jumped the fence. Why he had seen Mr Atkinson at his work was because on Show Day Mr Atkinson had said that ho would see ] hint afterwards, and so lie hack taken i Mr Atkinson at his word. After Ritchie had retired Mr Coffey, who had taken over the chair, said that following his suspension by tho Centre Kitchie had appealed to the New Zealand Union, as ho was entitled to do, asking that he be allowed to ride until his case was heard. The appeal had been granted, but Mr Walter and he had interviewed Mr Kennedy, secretary to the Union, and Kitchie, and Kitclne had agreed not to ride, while the centre officials had agreed to treat him as lightlv as possible. However, Ritchie s visit to Mr Atkinson at work was mote serious than the actual offence. lie suggested that Ritchie should be made to apologiso to Mr Atkinson and a * so bo suspended for about three months. I Mr C. Bright said that tho Centre | should not have been committed to light treatment of the. case. It was a verv serious offence for riders to abuse official 0 , and one for which he would like to sec a two years' suspension im'the motion of Mi- Atkinson, it was decided that Kitchie be suspended for three months. Centre and Unregistered Riders. I Answering a question from Mr C. J. i Sowden in regard to the centre's position in reference to the Papanm Cycling I Club, the chairman said that no riders of unregistered clubs would be accepted l,v the cash centre until their suspension fed been lifted or until they had waited tho time agreed upon by ihc rations centre?. I I CANTERBURY CASH CLUB. ! r . B (jmterburv Gash Athletic Club held a | mectiiis at Soutll Huglcy Park last cvemn ff . | Insult,:-- SWEE p STA Ki:. ! First Ileal —J. B. Moran 3, A. 11. l>njry i ■-> ,T C Berwick . . , ... ~ ! 'Second Heat—l;. J- L C- | Graeie C, N. Belcliff 3. j Final. I Gvacio • ■ • • , l , Higgius • • • ■ " l lJrury i -440 YAKL I .S S\Y KIivPSl AIvK. i ],. Doiieriy ■ ■ ' | C«. Gifford ■ ■ - I I>. Flanagan ' ' '