TABAK SUSPENDED BY N.Z. COUNCIL

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31277, 25 January 1967, Page 14

TABAK SUSPENDED BY N.Z. COUNCIL

“The Press" Special Service

WELLINGTON.

The New Zealand representative cyclist, T. J. Tabak (Avon) has been suspended by the New Zealand Amateur Cycling Association’s council.

Tabak did not appear at a meeting of the council last night. He had been ordered to attend to answer charges about his behaviour while a member of the New Zealand team for the Commonwealth Games in Jamaica. The Nelson rider, D. A. Comparini, did attend the meeting and was given a reprimand. The council had before it a letter from Tabak and also a telegram pointing out that he could not attend. In the letter he said that he was now living temporarily in Invercargill, and could not afford the loss of time and the fares involved in a trip to Wellington for the meeting. He was, after a long discussion in committee, suspended under the association’s rule 101, which says that a member of the association failing to attend an inquiry when requested to do so, or refusing to give evidence, shall be fined or suspended.

Tabak will be under suspension—which means that he cannot race anywhere—until he appears at a council meeting, the next one of which is late in February. He was to have appeared at Wanganui this Saturday. Council members chose to ignore rule 42 (C) which says that no individual can be suspended without being given an opportunity of being heard in his own defence. Comparini faced the council members and after another long discussion in committee it was resolved that he be written to and told that his behaviour, according to the reports received, was not in a manner becoming of a New Zealand representative, and that by his misbehaviour he had brought criticism upon nie association. “In view of his possible likelihood of selection in the future, his behaviour will be closely watched at all times and taken into account when selections are made,” continued the resolution. I “It must be borne in mind

that ability alone does not determine selection.” Two Canterbury riders were the first to have their reinstatement applications from professionalism approved under the new 12-month amnesty. They were D. Swanston and G. Lindbom.