ATHLETIC CENTRE

Dominion, Volume 25, Issue 69, 15 December 1931, Page 11

ATHLETIC CENTRE

New Group Formed AN IMPORTANT STEP Full Cycling Settlement Two subjects of considerable importance to amateur athletes and cyclists were dealt with yesterday at a special meeting of the council of the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association. The council agreed to the formation of a new athletic centre in the North Island, to be known as the “West Coast (North Island) . Centre," comprising the Manawatu, Wanganui, and Taranaki districts, with possible headquarters at Hawera. When business in connection with the new centre was ended, Mr. H. I. Austad reported having received from the secretary of the professional cycling body intimation that it was prepared to nominate delegates to the newly : formed New Zealand Cycling Federation. This agreement to the new plan should be of inestimable benefit to the amateur sport. - The formation of the new North Island centre, has been in the air for some time. At a recent meeting the council decided that two of its members, Messrs. V. Hugo and F. M. Reid, should visit Palmerston North and Wanganui to hold conferences with representatives of clubs in the districts. Messrs. Hug and Reid attended the conferences in the two places on Friday and Saturday, and on both occasions the gatherings of delegates were extremely representative ones. Choosing a Name.

Mr. Hugo reported to the president, Mr. R. W. McVilly, and other council members last evening, on what had been done. Most of the delegates at the Manawatu meeting were in favour of the change, he said, and they passed a motion to the effect that they desired to join with the Wanganui and Taranaki districts in the formation of a new centre. The next evening a conference was held at Wanganui, attended bv Messrs. Reid and Hugo, and by certain of those who had been present at the Manawatu conference. The conference at Wanganui was a very representative one, Mr. Hugo said. They were not satisfied with the name, “Mid North Island Centre.” Eventually a motion was passed providing that the Wanganui and Taranaki districts, together with the Manawatu district according to its definition as a sub-centre of the Wellington Centre, should combine to form a centre to be known as the West Coast (North Island) Centre. The question of finance seemed to be the most difficult one, Mr. Hugo said. He explained that Hawera semed to be.the most likely and suitable place for the new centre headquarters to be situated. The council agreed to the formation of the new centre, and defined it as including both the Taranaki district and the Wellington district from north of the Manakau river. The Wellington Centre, now consists of Wellington, including the district south of the Manakau River, Poverty Bay, Hawke’s Bay, Marlborough and Nelson. The council’s thanks were extended to Messrs. Hugo and Reid and others who had assisted with the negotiations for the formation of the new centre. “I think'that’s ended that very happily.” Mr. McVilly said. Cycling Agreement. The cycling business was introduced by Mr. Austad, who said that he had received a telegram from Mr. J.' Kennedy, of the professional body,’agreeing to the proposal that they should send delegates to the New Zealand Cycling Federation. Everything was now in order to go ahead with the consolidation of the amateur side, Mr. Austad said. He moved the readmission of all amateur riders previously attached to the New Zealand Union of Cyclists, provided that amateur status had not been infringed. The council passed the motion unanimously. Mr. A. W. 0. Travers moved a hearty vote of thanks to Mr. Austad for the vast amount of time and thought he had put into the settlement of the dispute. A'thletes and cyclists throughout New Zealand would join with the council in expressing their thanks to Mr. Austad.

“I second that,” said Mr. W. F. Ingrain. “Mr. Austad lias done wonderful work.” f

Mr. Austad said he believed the conclusion they had now reached was the •most satisfactory one from the standpoint of . both cyclists and athletes. Mr. Austad wished also to pay a tribute to Mr. H. D. Bennett, who had conducted negotiations on behalf of the Union of Cyclists. When they had first met they could not help but. admire the spirit in which Mr. Bennett approached the problem. "I think we and the cyclists are indebted to him for the work he has done,” Mr. Austad said. The council decided' to send a letter of appreciation and thanks to Mr. Bennett.