ATHLETICS Certification Of Grounds For N.Z. Meetings Urged

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28750, 22 November 1958, Page 11

ATHLETICS Certification Of Grounds For N.Z. Meetings Urged

(New Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON, November 21. i Certification of athletic grounds of a suitable standard for national championship meetings was advocated by the president (Mr J. Matheson, of Southland) at the annual meeting today of the council of the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association. Mr Matheson said that the last national Championship meeting at the Lower Hutt Recreation Ground—was not a success from the point of view of the suitaIbility of the ground. “The question of grounds in New Zealand is a matter we must really consider.” he said. “Certified grounds for national meetings should be considered.’’ He said that good grounds with cinder tracks would help the athletes, and if athletes were doing their best it would help to attract public support. Reviewing the year’s activities. Mr Matheson said the year had been a good one anti the .Empire Games team had done very well. The chairman of the council (Mr 11. I. Austad) said that the high standard of New Zealand athletes had been helped by the 'association’s coaching scheme, i Performances of New Zealand’s top athletes during the year had been right up to world standard. Mr Austad said there was the greatest difficulty in getting top athletes to come to New Zealand. With the present ease of travel and many invitations being issued it was understandable that leading athletes were not always willing to come to a remote place like New Zealand. Australian Invitation An invitation to send a women’s team to Australia was tabled. It asked for a women’s team to visit New South Wales for a match on any two Saturdays between February 28 and March 21. There would be a mid-week twilight meeting in between. The letter said the New South Wales association would like the meeting to develop into a regular competition, and was prepared to give a perpetual trophy. The New South Wales association would cover the expense of return plane fares and accommodation. The letter tentatively suggested as team members: —M. Stuart (hurdles, sprints, and relays), B. Weigall (long jump and relay), M. Chamberlain (sprints and relay), M. Donaghy (long and high jumps and relay), and V. Sloper (shot put and discus). Another letter from Australia, signed by the secretary of the Australian union (Mr A. J Hodsdon), referred to an invitation from New Zealand for a number of Australian stars, including H. Elliott, to visit New Zealand. Mr Hodsdon said that with the Victorian and New South Wales championships in late January and early February and the Australian championships in Hobart on February 28 and March 2 there seemed little scope for tours about that time. Mr Hodsdon said he would advise further when the position was clarified.) Mr Hodsdon in another letter said that ditliculty was being experienced in achieving unanimity among the Australian states concerning the proposal for an Australian cross-country team to visit New Zealand. He asked for further information on an itinerary and costs. Election of Officers Mr C. A. Blazey, of Wellington, was elected to succeed Mr Matheson as president of the association. Other Officers elected were:— Patron, the Governor-General

(Lord Cobham); vice-presi- | dents, Messrs S. Billman < Auckland». A. H. Malcolm (Waikato), R. Prince (West Coast. North Island). M. Fulford (Hawke's Bay-Poverty Bay). G. W. Jackman < Wellington». K. M. Jameson (Canterbury), L. T. Bradshaw (Otago) and J. Matheson (Southland); chairman, Mr Austad: secretary, Mr G. H. Geddes; treasurer, Mr G. W. Jackman; administration committee. Messrs Austad. Blazey, G. Wiggs. Jackman. and Geddes; reinstatement committee. Messrs Blazey, G. I. Fox and D. J Henderson: finance committee. Messrs Jackman. R. D. Moore. Wiggs, A. O. Melville and Fox; records committee. r-?--2<rs R. W Lander. G. S. Leedvr, and V. R. Walker; harrier sub-committee. Messrs A. L. Stevens. R. D Moore, Spence, Melville. I’. Wilson and Matheson; delegates to New Zealand Olympic and British Empire Games Association. Messrs Austad. Blazey, and Moore; representative on executive committee of New Zealand Olympic and British Empire Ganics Association, Mr Austad. auditor. Mr D. Laurenson; Rose Trust Fund trustees. Mr F. J Kitts (mayor of Wellington), and Mr Austad; Rose Trust Fund treasurer, Mr Jackman; Hales Memorial Fund Trustees, Messrs R. D. Moore and Austad.