CYCLING COUNCIL

Dominion, Volume 26, Issue 48, 19 November 1932, Page 8

CYCLING COUNCIL

First Annual Meeting - DELEGATES APPOINTED For the first time last, evening, the .New Zealand Cyling Council held an annual meeting. . The council came into existence earlier in’the year with the settlement of the long-drawn-out cycling dispute; and has' acted since then as the controlling body for amateur cycling in the Dominion. Its membership was at first necessarily provisional, but last evening the delegates constitutioniflly appointed by the various. l cycling centres, assumed office. The system of control by cyclists’ nominees has thus become an accomplished fact. The chairman, Mr. H. I. Austad, said that they hzid gone through the first year of the new system, and during it had met with a certain amount of success and a certain amount of opposition from some quarters. They all realised, he said, as having taken an active part m the setting up of the present constitution, that the arrangement come to had been one which was thought best in the interests of cycling. They realised also that the first year had been a trial year. Although in principle they were all convinced that it was the best system that could be offered for the government of cycling, nevertheless at all times they had been, and still were, prepared to alter the machinery clauses if-the system couid be bettered in any way, provided always that they could be shown first that any change proposed would really be of benefit. ' ■ Mr. Austad complimented Messrs. C. H. Taylor and H. D. London, the council’s 'representatives, on the N.Z. Cycling Federation. on their work, and said that the council’s special thanks were due to Mr. W. J. Kennedy for the way he had han died the affairs of the federation during its first difficult year. Personnel of Council. The delegates to the new Cycling Council present last evening were Mr. H. D. Bennett (Auckland), Mr. G. S. Leeder (West Coast, North Island), Mr. G. Harrison (Wellington), and Mr. J. McConchie (Christchurch). The Dunedin delegate had not yet been appointed. Mr; Bennett drew the council’s attention to the fact that Mr. L. B. Roberts had been appointed a co-delegate with him, representing the Auckland cyclists. It was stated, however, that Auckland, like the other centres, Wellington and Christchurch, was constitutionally entitled to one delegate only. The president, Mr. R. W. .McVilly, chairman, Mr. Austad, and secretary, Mr. L. A. Tracy, of the New Zealand Amateur Athletic and Cycling Association, were also present, in accordance with the constitution. Mr. McVilly, by virtue of a resolution carried some months ago, on the motion of Mr. H. D. Bennett, is a full member of the council, with power to vote.

The Auckland centre suggested in a better that the national 100-mile road championship should be held annually over the Palmerston North-Wellington rouJe, instead of being held in different centres in turn. The chairman, Mr. Austad, said that although there was a lot to be said for the proposal, the council had lo consider the interests of all cyclists in the Dominion. He thought that the centres Should have the opportunity of considering the suggestion, and giving their opinions before any action were taken. The council decided therefore to refer the subject to the March conference of cycling centres. The allocation of next year's championship was similarly held over in the meantime.

Consideration of a suggestion made by the Otago centre that Duncan Gray, the Australian Olympic champion cyclist should be invited to New Zealand during the coming track season, was postponed until the council resumes its annual meeting on Monday week next. Affiliation was granted to the Waikato Amateur Cycling Club.