AMATEUR ATHLETICS.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 342, 31 October 1908, Page 3

AMATEUR ATHLETICS.

WELLINGTON CENTRE. ANNUAL MEETING. The fifth annual meeting of the Wellington Centre of tho Now Zealand Amateur Athletic Association was held in the Y.M.C.A. Rooms last night. Dr. Newman (president) occupied the chair, and tho following delegates wore present:—Messrs. E. A. Dawson, L. A. B. Teutenberg (Civil Service); A. M. Salek (Christ Church Y.M., Wanganui); J. 'J. Callaghan and M. D. Mulcahy (Catholic); F. M'Gee (Petone A.A.); M, Burnett and A. W. Williamson (Wanganui A.A.); J. M. Hogbcn (Victoria College); W. Coffey, J. W. A. Heenan (Port Nicholson A.A.); C. E. Bridge (Wellington A.A.); A. Davies (Manawatu) ; 11. W. M'Villy, J. H. Pollock, and W.; F. Larkin (vice-presidents), and B. A. Guise (secretary). The annual report (which has already appeared) was adopted without discussion. Mr. M'Villy, who was tho mover, mentioned that it was pleasing-to note that tho institution was in a more flourishing stato than hitherto. Tho election of office-bearers resulted in the return of last year's officials, who were as follow:—President, Dr. A. K. Newman; vice-presidents, It. W. M'Villy, J. H. Pollock, W. F. Larkin; hon. secretary, B. A. Guiselion, treasurer, A. Davies; hon. handicappers, W. F. Larkin, W. H. Pollock, C. E. Bridge; hon. auditor, H. Hitching, A.1.A.N.Z.; and hon. local officer, W. Coffey. Two guineas were donated to the'funds of the Y.M.C.A. for the use of its rooms for 'meetings, and the hon. secretary (Mr. Guise) was voted an honorarium.

The following fixtures were approved:— Wellington A.A. Club (evening meeting), November 18; Civil Sorvice A.A. Club (evening meeting), November 25; Wellington A.A. Club (afternoon meeting), December 12; Christ Church Club, at Wanganui, Boxing Day.

Mr. Heenan moved, and Mr. Davies seconded, that the provincial championship meeting be held on New Year's Day, on the Basin Reserve, if possible. As an amendment, Mr. Burnett moved, and Mr. Larkins seconded, that-the views of tho clubs outside the city be. obtained before the centre comes to a decision on the subject. The amendment was adopted.

•It was resolved, on the motion of Mr. Guise, to add the words "For the period commencing October 31 and ending April 30" to Rule 7, which formerly read: "Any representative failing to attend three consecutive meetings of the C<mlro without first obtaining leave shall be doomed to have vacated his seat. Notification of each vacancy shall be forwarded by the secretary to the' Centre of the club concerned." Mr. J. M.Hogben moved, in accordance with notice^given, a series- of resolutions, having for their object tho transaction of the business of tho' Centre by an executive of seven delegates arid one secretary and treasurer, instead of by delegates from the various clubs as at present. Mr. Pollock moved as an amendment that considerations of the resolutions be held over for twelve months. Were-the tinio opportune the proposals would, ho thought, be admirable. Another matter of much more attention was at present engaging the attention of tho Centre. Tho amendment was approved, the mover of the motion being the only dissentient. The question of the rejection of the Wellington nominations for positions on the Now Zealand Council on the ground that the nominees resided away from headquarters was discussed. Mr. Hogben moved:—"That the secretary be instructed to write to the secretary of tho New Zealand Council with a view to having, a voto taken on the question of the removal of headquarters from Christchurch ito : Wellington." Mr. Heenan seconded the motion. As an amendment, Mr. Larkin moved That, a committee draw up ? n a PP ea l against the decision of the returning officer in declaring , Wellington nominations invalid; that the council be requested to submit all correspondence in connection therewith to the Australasian Union; that the council bo asked. to furnish the union with its reasons, for rejeoting the nominations, and that the union'beinsked'for (Viruling as to whether the decision 'thoVVetuming officer.was correct." . .; . . N Mr. Dawson; who' seconded tho amendment, stated that he intended to take individual action, and ho hoped other nominees would do the same thing.. , The amendment was carried unanimously, and. a committee, consisting of the prosidont, Mr. M'.Villy, Mr. Larkin, and the secretary,: was appointed to draft* tho letter to bo sent to tho council.

It was also decided that the council place on record its deep resentmont of the discourteous manner in which its correspondence with respect to tho rejection of the-Welling-ton nominations was dealt' with by tho New Zealand Council, as contained in tho council's communications of tho 20th and 29th, and -that a copy, of the resolution bo sent to the council.