Athletics Club Votes To Defy Rule Against Sunday Sport

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29389, 16 December 1960, Page 28

Athletics Club Votes To Defy Rule Against Sunday Sport

(Neu, Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON, Dec. 15. Either the Wellington Amateur Athletic Centre or the Petone Amateur Athletic Club—and possibly both—could face suspension if the club persists in holding the Laykold Cup sports meeting on Sunday, in defiance of a New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association policy directive. On Monday, the Wellington Centre granted the Petone Club permission to hold the meeting.

On Tuesday, the administrative committee of the N.Z.A.A.A. held

a special meeting, which resolved that the centre’s permission was "flagrant contravention” of national policy, and called on the centre “to take immediate action to see that the meeting is not held.”

The policy of the New Zealand Association, confirmed from time to time at annual meetings, is opposed to organised Sunday sports meetings. Last night, the Petone Club decided to go ahead with the Sunday meeting, only the club president (Mr V. R. Walker) dissenting. Last night’s meeting had before it written permission for the meeting from the Wellington Centre and the Wellington Amateur Cycling Association. “There was nothing in writing to any other effect,” one of those present said today. /

The chairman of the Wellington Centre (Mr G. W. Fordyce) said today, however, that the Petone Club had been "verbally advised” that the centre permission was withdrawn. “Petone is liable to suspension if it proceeds,” Mr Fordyce said. “We have gone as far as it is necessary to go. It is not necessary to call any meetings of the Wellington Centre executive.” Mr Fordyce said written advice to the Petone Club was "in the mail,” but with the Christmas rush the receipt of the letter might be delayed a day or so.