AMATEUR ATHLETICS. MEETING OF WELLINGTON CENTRE.

Evening Post, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 120, 17 November 1909, Page 41

AMATEUR ATHLETICS. MEETING OF WELLINGTON CENTRE.

At a meeting of the Wellington Centre of the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association, held last night, discussion took place on a proposal that has been made to invite Messrs. Wheatley and Davis, two well-known Australian athletes, to visit New Zealand. The meeting approved the proposal, and instructed the centre's delegates to the New Zealand council to support the movement. The estimated total cost is £90. It was reported that the gross takings at the King's Birthday sports meeting on the Basin Reserve were about £105. The total expenditure had not been ascertained yet, as all the accounts had not been sent in. The prizes would cost £30 to £35, and the expenses of the Marathon race were about' £30, so it was not likely that much profit would accrue. Messrs. M. Burnett and J. Heenan were appointed handicappers to the centre, Messrs. C. E. Bridge and J. Pollock having signified their inability to act. Messrs. M'Villy, Guise, Bridge, and Coffey were appointed a committee to confer with a committee from the Wellington Cricket Association in regard to fixing a date for the allocation of the Basin Reserve to the centre, in order that the provincial championship meeting may bs held thcieon. In reference to the proposed establishment of juvenile branches in connection with the various affiliated athletic clubs, the Civil Service- Club wrote stating that while the proposal was considered an excellent one, the committee regretted that the existing rule of the club would not allow of the formation of a juvenile branch on the lines contemplated by the 'centre. A letter from the City Council intimated that permission had been given to the centre to use for training purposes after 6.30 p.m. that portion of the Basin Reserve set apart for women and children, and also permission to dig a jumping pit. The council reserved the right to veto the permission at any time should it think it necessary. NEW ZEALAND COUNCIL'S ANNUAL EEPOET In the twenty-second annual report of the_ New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association, to be presented at the second annual meeting of the reconstituted council, on the 29th instant, reference is made to some half -forgotten troubles. The report states :—": — " The dispute over the election of a governing body is now happily ended, and members of the council express the iope that the future well-being of amateur athletics will ba kept in view, and that all parties will work harmoniously together for the common good of the sport. Notwithstanding the expense ol sending a team to compete at the Australasian championships, Ihe council is able to show a profit on the working of the association since taking office in April. In this connection the committee place on record the financial assistance rendered by the Otago, Canterbury, and Wellington centres, and the Auckland Amateur Athletic Club. At the close of the year, a large number of clulj subscriptions were outstanding. Since that date a good number have been received, but the matter is one that requires attention, and a notice of motion. has been given to alter the rules in the direction of getting the centres to collect all subscriptions from clubs »vifchm their .jurisdiction. The annual championsip meeting .... resulted in a profit of £62 12s, one-half of which was received by t"he council." The balance-sheet of the association, made up to 20th May/ shows a bank balance of £16 7s sd. The working of the headquarters^ at Wellington from April to 30th September indicated a balance of £5 19s. New clubs have been formed at Napier, New Plymouth, Palmerston North, Masterton, and Brooklyn. The council has in view further work in the direction of forming clubs, particularly at Feilding, Gisborne, and Stratford. Regret was expressed that the Southland Centre had not shown more activity during the year. During the year, the only record claimed and which was passed, was that of Dr. Guy Haskins — 1000 yards in 2min 24 1 ssec.