AMATEUR ATHLETICS

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 119, 16 November 1926, Page 7

AMATEUR ATHLETICS

PROGRESS OF SPORT PAST YEAR REVIEWED. The annual meeting of the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association was held last evening, Mr. R. W. M'Villy presiding. The chairman moved the adoption of J the annual report and balance-sheet, de- ; tails of which have appeared in "The Post." "The year just ended," remarked Mr. M'Villy, "has been a notable, one, i both in respect to athletics and in respect to the finances of the council. With regard to athletics we were fortunate in having two great American runners who did very much on the field of sport in coaching our young athletes, and who, above all, gave our champion, Rose, an opportunity of showing, over a mile, what a really good man he was, and is. As a result of that memorable race Hose put up at Masterton, and the fact that he was able to beat Lloyd Hahn four times out of five very conclusively, the council decided to sand Rose abroad. The public responded very heartily to the appeal that was made by the council for the purpose of financing Rose." NEW ZEALAND REPRESENTATION. Mr. M'Villy then referred to the performances of Rose while abroad. The New Zealand champion had had a really good companion and trainer with him. One could hardly expect him to reproduce his very best form in the short time he was away. Rose, however, had put up some very fine performances, although he was not able to produce his best New Zealand form. "I hope," added Mr. M'Villy, "that in the near future we shall see New Zealand represented abroad at the Olympic Games by a New Zealand team. I am quite sure that we have the material available in this country provided it gets the training. With regard to the championships, I want to offer my congratulations to the Otago Centre on the way it ran the championships. It is perfectly true that Wellington was able to win the shield with a score of 61, but while Otago finished third with a score of 28, they covered themselves with glory by beating everything in Australia with the Otago four, and I think we should offer them our congratulations in that connection. PROGRESS IN COUNTRY DISTRICTS. "There has been an awakening of interest in the country districts, particularly around Wellington. It was my privilege to attend a meeting at Shannon recently, and that the men are enthusiastic there was shown by the amount of work they put in in preparing the ground." Mr. G. H. Lusk considered that the good position of the council to-day was due in a large measure to the most successful tour of the Americans. It was hoped that the council's position would bo improved even more, by reason of the fact that there was every chance of an American team coming to the country during the season. One big step from the point of view of the association, was the amendment by the Board o£ Control of the reinstatement rule. Through the good offices of Mr. E. Guy, he was sine there was now a better idea in Australia as to the association's work in regard to athler tics in New Zealand in the outlying districts. Mr. Guy referred to the progress of th« sport in the country districts. The position of the association now was very different from what it was at the last annual meeting. " The 1927-28 New Zealand champion-' ship meeting was allotted to the Canterbury centre.' On the motion of Mr. E. Guy it was agreed that the next Australian and JMew Zealand championships be held in Wellington in 1027 on 26th, 27th, and 31st December. ELECTION OF OFF.ICERS. Oflicers for the ensuing year were elected as follow:—Patron, His Excellency the Governor-General, Sir Charles Fergusson; president, Mr. R. W. M'Villy: vice-presi-dents, Messrs. G. H. Lusk, H. Austad; delegates to Olympic Council, Mr. A. U . O Travers it. W. M'Villy; hon, auditor Mr.'R. W. Shallcrass; lion, secretary and treasurer, Mr. L. A. Tracy; Keinstatement Committee,'' Messrs. E. Guy, tr. H Lusk, and Austad; Finance Committee, Messrs. R. W. M'Villy, H. Austeid H. W Franklin: overseas representatives, Messrs. A. E. Porritt (England), K. Emery (South Africa), C. G. Krogness ■ sen., and C. G. Krogness, jun. (United States of America).