ATHLETICS

Press, Volume LXXVI, Issue 22922, 19 January 1940, Page 11

ATHLETICS

TEAM FROM AUSTRALIA

PROPOSAL FOR TOUR ABANDONED

' (PRESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.)

WELLINGTON, January 17. The management committee of the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association last night decided to abandon the proposal to bring an Australian team of athletes to the Dominion this season as the New South Wales athletes were not available in the first half of February during which time the New South Wales championships are to be held. The New' South Wales Association suggested that New Zealand should delay the tour till after February 17, but centres in New Zealand, from whom replies have been received, were not favourable to this course-on the ground that it would be difficult to arrange suitable meetings. A request from the Hawke’s BayPoverty Bay centre for an extension of the 21 days period allowed by international rules for the tour by G. Stenner, Australian 120 yds hurdles champion,, was declined .■ on the ground that, apart from other considerations, it would be likely to establish a dangerous precedent, especially as the number of provincial tours by overseas athletes showed signs of increasing. It was stated that. Stenner had been given a -permit by, the Australian Amateur Athletic Union for a stay in New Zealand of not longer than 21 days.' _ o J. P. Bates, E. L. Parker, W. J. Sommerville, and A. Waters were reinstated as amateurs.

VENUE FOR NEW ZEALAND Meeting

WOMEN’S AND JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS

Whether the Canterbury Amateur Athletic Association should hold Dominion championship meetings at Lancaster Park or Rugby Park was. discussed at a meeting of the Canterbury Amateur Athletic Association last “evening, .when it was being decided where the NeW Zealand women’s and junior championships should be held. Mr D. W. Bain presided. Mr J. J. Brownlee said it had been agreed that Rugby Park was to be mad* the athletic centre in Christchurch. If the best meetings were held at Lancaster Park the public would form the opinion that only second-class meetings were held at Rugby Park and attendances would be affected. . The track at Rugby Park was not yet in first-class order for championship meetings, Mr R. Beattie said. It required considerable top-dressing and there was not a great deal of room for accommodation. He did not think it would be fair to visiting athletes to ask them to compete at Rugby Park. . After a general discussion it was decided'that the meeting be held at Rugby Park v The position of a member of the association who was on active service absenting himself from four consecutive meetings without apology and who would automatically resign of this, caused considerable comment. No action was taken, it being agreed that in view of the circumstances the matter be deferred. ~ .. . . Arrangements for the meeting to be held at Greymouth to-morrow and for the Interprovincial meeting with Wellington at Rugby Park oh January 27 were finalised. In addition to the open events at the latter meeting, 100 yards, 220 yards, and 880 yards open handicaps will be held, and a 100 yards women’s open handicap. The following fixtures were approved:— February 17, Canterbury women’s _and junior championships; February 24, Canterbury open championships; March 9, New Zealand open championships at Wellington; March 16, New Zealand womens and junior championships.