A MEW ZEALAND ATHLETE.

Evening Post, Issue 51, 29 February 1908, Page 9

A MEW ZEALAND ATHLETE.

THE WELLINGTON CENTRES ACTION. The subject of Sharpc's inclusion in the New Zealand Athletic team, now in Tasmania, was considered at a meeting of the Wellington Centre .-of the New Zealand 'Athletic Union, held in the V.M.C.A. rooms last evening. Dr. Newman presided, and there were aiso present Messrs. K. M'Villy, J. Pollock, Talbct, F. Ross, Bridge, Dawson, Hogben, Burnett, M'Keowen, Heenan, W. Coffey, Davies, Robinson, W. H. Pollock, Callaghan, Larkin, Williamson, L. Parton, and Guise. The discussion was opened by Mr. J. Pollock referring to Sharpe's excellent performance in. the three mile run at the Hutb meeting. He then spoke of his endeavours to have Sharpe included in the team, and referred to favourable interviews with Metsrs. Larkin, Davif. and Dr. Newman on the subject. Dr. Newman, he said, was of opinion that Sharpe was one of the men going from Wellington likely to score at the championship on account of there being few_ long "distance men in Australia. Dr. Newman added that if there was any difliculty about Shaipe going, he was willing to pay half of his expenses. (Applause). Mr. Pollock then related his efforts at Christchurch to have, Sharpe included in the team, and said that, acting on the advice of jthe president of tho New Zealand Council, Mr. Atack, and two of the selectors of the New Zealand team, he brought the matter before the council. The latter decided that after hearing the opinions of the selectors and the stato of thei" finances' they could not finance Sharpo. The speaker then sent a private telegram to Mr. Davies, treasurer of the Wellington Centre, caving that the majority of the council were favourably inclined to Sharpe going and advised Sharpe's leaving for Christchurch that night to join the team. The speaker said he wan prepared to subscribe £2 towards the man's expenses. Sharpe went, and the speaker was proud to think that he did a littlo in sending him. The speaker received a money order telegram from Mr. Davies, treasurer, for £10. Mr. Davies might have misconstrued the speaker's telegram. The speaker d^d not infer that Sharpe was to be sent at the expense of tho Wellington Centre. He therefore handed the £10 back. Had tho members of the centre been called together they would have voted the rrionoy ; but there was no time to call anyone at the eleventh hour. Dr. Newman- said that it was an emergency caso. "He took upon himself the unauthorised expenditure, and Sharpe went. Mr- W. Coffey expressed tho. opinion that Mr. Pollock's statement had cleared a lot of misapprehension. He thought that Mr. Pollocl' had taken tho burden on his own shoulders, which of course, he had no right to do. In future cases, however, he thought that members outside of the president, vice-presidents, and executive officers should bo consulted. Mr. Hogben put forth the opinion that the New Zealand Council should pay tho expenses of Sharpe. He was therofore opposed to tho "Wellington Centre paying anything. f ' On the motion of Mr. Callaghan tho moeting endorsed tho action of those who scn,t Sharpo to Tasmania. Tho president said : "I'h.at of courie has approved our action, and f means that the monty is voted by the centre." Tho treasurer reported that thcro was a credit balance of £96 12s on the recent championship meeting, the receipts being £243 10s 9d and the expenses £146 18s 9d.