CROSS-COUNTRY RUNNING

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27427, 13 August 1954, Page 12

CROSS-COUNTRY RUNNING

MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE MEETING “Because some runners trespassed on a property through missing the trail when, four clubs held their championships at Motukarara, permisison to use some of the land was withdrawn. As a result, that part of the course crossing the main Akaroa highway to the hills to the east had to be abandoned, and a two-lap course within Waihora Domain was used for the provincial championships last Saturday,” said the president of the Canterbury Cross-country Running Committee (Mr H. O. Savage) in outlining a charge of inefficiency against the duty club. University, to a meeting of the executive last evening. • University had failed to communicate with him about the arrangements as requested by letter. Club members had arrived late and they came without flags or paper with which to define the trail, said Mr Savage. Through this laxity the improvements to the former course of 1949 bad been lost. Mr M. R. Craighead explained that he as an executive member was at fault, and not the University Club. University had discussed the arrangements with him and Mr Savage had been advised of the approximate time the University members would be available for duty. Although they had arrived without the gear for marking .the course, that was not the fault of the duty club. Representing University, Mr D. A. Tucker said that his club had fulfilled its obligations and any lack of organisation lay with the executive and the course sub-committee, who even on the day had still not completed all details of the course.

“It was a day of unfortunate incidents,” said Mr W. A. Kennedy. “The trail was marred by the strong wind blowing the paper off the course. It seems that the blame cannot be placed on any one individual or club, and as the matter has been well ventilated, I move that it be allowed to lapse and University’s apology for not replying to our letter be accepted.”

Secondary Schools* Championship After hearing a letter from the secretary of the Secondary Schools’ Sports Masters’ Association (the Rev. Father Spillane) and a verbal report from Mr Craighead on the proposed secondary schools' cross-country championship, the meeting appointed a sub-committee of Messrs G. E. Voller, W. A. Kennedy, and D. H. Clibborn to prepare firm plans to be placed before the next meeting of the sports masters. It felt that it was too late for a championship this year, but it was hoped that a race would be arranged for next season. Mr Clibborn was appointed manager of the provincial teams travelling to the New Zealand championships, which will be held at Auckland on August 21. S. Jelley (Olympic) will be the senior team captain and B. Scott (Timaru Presbyterian) the junior.

The teams will leave Christchurch on Wednesday, August 18. and they will arrive at Auckland at 10 p.m. on the Thursday, after travelling by steamer and bus. They will return on Sunday, stopping overnight at Taupo, and arrive back in Christchurch on the following Tuesday morning. Takahe Race A sub-committee of five (Messrs J. F. Feron, I. Bathurst, A. E. Read, Kennedy, and Craighead) was appointed to do the preliminary organising for the TakaheAkaroa relay race for both this year and 1955. In 1955 the race will be open to all clubs throughout New Zealand. On the motion of Mr Voller, it was decided that where clubs were unable to enter A, B, or C grade teams under the present Akaroa relay rules, they be allowed to enter a team to compete for the sealed handicap only.