AMATEUR ATHLETICS

Dominion, Volume 18, Issue 213, 3 June 1924, Page 8

AMATEUR ATHLETICS

MEETING OF N.Z. COUNCIL. The council of the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association met last evening. Mr. A. T. Davies presided. Mr. A. Tilley, president of the Auckland centre, attended, and was '-elcorned bv the chairman. It was decided to send a letter of congratulation to Mr. R. Coombs on his re-election for the thirty-first time to the presidency of the New South Wales Athletic Association. The Tasmanian Association wrote staling that the mail vote on the reinstatement of H. C. Morgan was decidedin the affirmative. The chairman explained that two more States had yet to vote on the matter.

The Otago centre forwarded A 76 18s. lid., half proceeds of New Zealand championship meeting. It intimated its disapproval of the Wellington amend inent of the constitution, and expressed every confidence in its delegates (Messrs. O. C. Mazengarb and J. Taylor). A letter was received from the Wellington centre detailing the business done at their last meeting, including a protest against a statement made by Mr. Davies against women) athletes travelling about to athletic meetings, the advisability of reconciling standard times with those at Rome, and the issuing of certificates whore competitors at championship meetings boat the standard. The council was asked whether it intended to invite overseas athletes to Now Zealand, and, if not, if there was any objection to Wellington doing so. It was decided to submit the question of women taking part in track and field events to the British Medical Association for an opinion. The question of approximating Nev.Zealand standards to the English ones was referred to the centres. It was decided to notify centres that a standard timekeeper must bo appointed at all championship meetings. The chairman explained that his remark about women athletes (to which exception had been taken) did not refer to them competing at local meetings.

Mr. Amos believed that there was a good deal in the objection to women taking part in strenuous athletic contests, such as sprint, races or football, but there could lie no objection fo their competing in suitable games such as basketball.

The chairman added that leading supporters of athletics had approved of his remarks on the question. On Mr. Mazengarb’s motion, it was decided to inform the Wellington centre that the council was awaiting tin results of the Olympic Gaines before inviting overseas athletes to visit New Zealand.

An application for reinstatement from T. A. Shirtliff, of Hamilton, was not acceded to.