EMPIRE GAMES SWIMMING

Press, Volume LXXXVI, Issue 26203, 29 August 1950, Page 5

EMPIRE GAMES SWIMMING

CHARGES AGAINST OFFICIAL

VIEWS OF BAY OF PLENTY » CENTRE (New Zealand Press Association) ROTORUA, August 28. A meeting of the Bay of Plenty Centre of the New Zealand Amateur Swimming Association, held at Te Puke, adopted the following resolution, moved by Mr C. L. Lindsay, of Rotorua, and seconded by Mrs E. L. Barry, of Tauranga: “That this centre objects to the charges laid against Mr W. O. Stockley, as reported in the minutes of the association’s meeting held on August 15, being proceeded with for the following reasons: “(1) It is contrary to the traditions of British justice that the association should place upon any person against whom a complaint is laid by the association the onus of proving his innocence, more especially in this case, where the bias of the association against Mr Stockley is evident from the wording of the resolution adopted. “(2) We consider this charge to be far too serious to be dealt with by resident delegates without instructions from their centres, and it is s not possible for centres, unless they are in the possession of the evidence submitted or" to be submitted, to convey their considered instructions to resident delegates. “(3) We are of opinion that the motion of censure passed on Mr Stockley should be expunged from the association’s records and the whole matter dropped, or, alternatively, actions of all officials of. the association at the swimming section of the British Empire Games be fully investigated by an independent tribunal.” It was agreed also that a copy of this resolution be sent to the secretary of the association, the Auckland centre, and to the Bay of Plenty’s resident delegate with instructions to move at the opening of the special meeting in accordance with this resolution.