CYCLING

Press, Volume LXIX, Issue 20937, 18 August 1933, Page 5

CYCLING

ANOTHER STAGE IN DISPUTE FEDERATION AND COUNCIL The action of the New Zealand Cycling Federation at its meeting on July 27 in suspending the New Zealand Cycling Council and affiliating a new* body to control amateur cycling has been upheld by the Union Cycliste Internationale. A cablegram to this effect was read by the former secretary of the New Zealand Cycling Federation, Mr H. D. London, last night, when he and Messrs H. G. Kilpatrick and W. J. Walter held a meeting as the New Zealand Cycling Federation. Earlier in the evening, these three had refused to attend a meeting of the federation because the chairman, Mr J. Kennedy and the other members, Messrs J. M. Coffey and G. R. Giles, refused to recognise the proceedings at the meeting on July 27 as being constitutional and valid. In holding a separate meeting, under the name of the federation, they maintained they were quite in order, since there were present the deputychairman of the federation, Mr Walter, representing the cash body, and two members of the recently affiliated League of New Zealand Amateur • Wheelmen, Messrs London and Kilpatrick. One of the first actions of the new federation was to lilt the suspension of 12 months on T. A. Grose, of the Papanui Amateur Cycling Club, imposed by the Canterbury Amateur Cycling Centre. The chairman, Mr Walter, said the sentence was out of all proportion to the alleged offence. Although former secretary of the federation, Mr London refused to hand the correspondence and books to the chairman when requested, Messrs Kennedy, Coffey, Giles, and A. Polkinghorne held a meeting earlier in the evening, also under the name of the New Zealand Cycling Federation. "Out of Order." Making a statement about the affairs of the federation, Mr Kennedy said the position was most unfortunate. The dispute was on the amateur side of cycling, and was extremely detrimental to the sport. He had come to Christchurch last week to see if an amicable settlement could not be arrived at, and had consented to an application of Messrs London, Walter, and Kilpatrick to hold a meeting of the federation. These men now refused to attend, and the former secretary, Mr London, refused to hand over the minutes. "On June 28, the federation received a letter from Wellington, in which it was stated that the cycling council would no longer co-operate with this body," Mr Kennedy said, "After the letter had been discussed, Mr Coffey moved that the Union Cycliste Internationale be advised of the position and a definite pronouncement on certain matters sought. Correspondence and newspaper reports were forwarded. Before any such action as suspending the amateur cycling council was taken, the previous resolution should have been rescinded. Therefore, I rule the proceedings of the last meeting' out of order." No Quorum. Referring to the last meeting of the Federation, Mr Coffey said he wished to make his position clear. At the request of the chairman, Mr Kennedy, he asked Mr Walter to postpone the meeting for.a week, or until such time as Mr Kennedy was able to be present. A motion for postponement was put to the meeting, but was lost on Mr Walter's casting vote. Mr Cofley then said the chairman was biased in his opinion and for that reason he (Mr Coffey) would have to retire. With Mr Giles, he was leaving the room when Mr Walter moved that the New Zealand Cycling Council should be suspended. Mr London seconded the motion, and without any voices being heard, Mr Walter declared it carried. Mr Coffey explained to Mr Walter before he left that three members constituted a quorum on the federation, but Mr Walter proceeded with only two, and affiliated the New Zealand League of Amateur Wheelmen. Until such time as a letter was received from the Union Cycliste Internationale in France, anything done was out of order. Therefore, the affiliation was not in order. The federation had full power to control cycling in New Zealand without Mr Walter. Mr Coffey continued, and he wanted cyclists to know that if they took part in races conducted by any body not affiliated with the federation they were liable to disqualification. The Zealand League of Amateur Wheelmen had no official status in the amateur world, but no doubt amateur bodies would take notice of these facts. Mr Coffey then moved that the act-ing-secretary, Mr Polkinghorne, write to Mr London, asking for all the books and property of the federation. Mr Giles said he could only confirm Mr Coffey's statement. League Not Recognised. The chairman then handed to the press a letter from the Cycling Council of the New Zealand Amateur Athletic and Cycling Association cancellingthe ' appointment of Mr' H. D. London as a representative of the New Zealand Cycling Federation, and appointing Mr A. Polkinghorne in his Pl "The council considers the resolutions affiliating the New Zealand League of Amateur Wheelmen and suspending the New Zealand Cycling Council are ultra vires of the federation and of no effect," the letter continued. "Accordingly the council does not recognise the league." Mr Walter's Statement. Mr Walter made a statement which set forth his reasons for refusing to attend the meeting. In effect he said that, as the cycling council had been suspended by the federation, it was not competent for delegates from the council to be pi'esent or to take part in discussions. He claimed that if Messrs Kilpatrick, London, and himself had attended the meeting they would have been automatically disqualified. ACTION UPHELD REPLY BY INTERNATIONAL BODY At a meeting held later in the evening, at which Messrs Walter, London. and Kilpatrick were present, the secretary (Mr London) reported that, on the authority of the chairman of the federation (Mr J. Kennedy) and the deputy-chairman (Mr Walter), he had cabled to the Union Cycliste Internationale asking if the federation had full authority to suspend the Cycling Council and affiliate a new body to control amateur cycling in accordance with the federation's letter of July 10, which contained a full statement of the situation. A reply had been received that morning which granted the federation full power. Mr Walter said it was gratifying to know that the action of the federation at the last meeting had met with the approval of the Union Cycliste Internationale. It showed definitely that the federation had full power, and there was no need to write to France. Mr Walter said that all amateur cycling clubs not affiliated to the League of Amateur Wheelmen, all riders not registered with the

federation, and all officials taking part at unregistered meetings at races rendered themselves liable to disqualification. Mr Kilpatrick said there was no doubt about the situation now. The federation was fully empowered by the Union Cycliste International to 'control both sections of the sport in the Dominion. That being so, it was the duty of all riders and officials to take steps to put themselves on side. A letter was received from the League of New Zealand Amateur Wheelmen advising that Messrs G. Kilpatrick and H. D. London had been appointed the league's representatives, and forwarding the affiliation fee. A letter was received from the Otago Amateur Cycling Club asking if any claims could be made on unfinancial amateur riders who ha;d turned professional. The letter stated that riders were being continually approached by members of the professional body to join up with them. This action was considered unfair, and tended to create a strained feeling between the riders. It was decided to reply that, when riders were registered under the federation, it was necessary that a clearance that all obligations had been met and everything was in order be issued before a transfer could be made or accepted An application was received from the Taihape Amateur • Athletic Club for reconsideration of the application of C. A. Wilcox, who was previously a cash rider, for reinstatement. The club was advised to make application through the League of Amateur Wheelmen. A suggestion in regard to the issue of the 1934 licenses by the League of Amateur Wheelmen was held in abeyance. PAPANUI CLUB'S ROAD RACE The Papamii Cycling OluVs road race will be held to-morrow, starting from the Papanui Hotel at 3.30 p.m. The courso will be from Papanui to Belfast, Kaiapoi, Woodend to Waikuka, turning to the left into Gresßon's road, and continuing on to Rsngiora, turning to the left into Victoria street, and following on down the Drain road to Kaiapoi, thence to Belfast, turning to the right into John's road, and continuing on to Gardner's road and finishing ia the usual place on the Harewood road. The handicaps are:— Scratch—F. J. Grose, N. Berry, H. F. Pearl. 2i mia—J. L.Richards, R. W. Richards, K. B. Blakeway, A. J. Lancaster. illmin—J. Uren, J. C. Murray, \Y. C. Grigor. smi Kennedy, J. Konnedy, if. 0. Richards, G. B. Hoadley. 6Jmin —J. Benson, N. 0. Radford, H. Henderson, G. R. Hann. 72min —L. Fever, R. W. Marks, K. Rowe, W. Price. 9min—E. Jones, G. C. Bremner, J. McConchie, C. G. Northcott. llmin—A. T. F. Bradbury, F. M. Kirwan, J. H. Machirus, K. Karaitiana, J. Seaward. 12 Jmin —E. Walls, B. Rondel, A. V. Bennett. 14min—W. H. Brown, J. T. Treacy, R. JJdlin, S. J. Barlow. 17inin—L. Farmer, A. V .Blakeway, R. Frewin. E. Dogfett,'J3, A, Burke.