'NOT A LATE DEFAULTER'

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 68, 21 March 1931, Page 10

'NOT A LATE DEFAULTER'

BAYNE'S NON-APPEARANCE

TRAINER'S EXPLANATION

In a letter to the Editor of "The Post" as to why G. Bayne, of Petone, New Zealand one mile champion, did not start in 'the one mile invitation scratch race at the sports meeting at Athletic Park last Saturday, Mr. H. Young, his trainer, claims that Bayne was not a "late defaulter" in view of the fact that he had informed Mr. A. C. Kitto, president of the ■Wellington Amateur Athletic Centre, the previous evening that he would not be a competitor. Mr. Young points out that Bayne, who had been out of work for six weeks, upon his return from the South Island on the Thursday before the meeting was offered a position for a few days, and on that day and on Friday work ed until 9.30 p.m. Mr. Kitto was communicated with on Friday evening and informed of the position, and it is claimed by Mr. Young that Mr. Kitto told Bayne that although he could not mako him run he would not run at a Wellington meeting again if he failed to start. Mr. Young also states that when Mr. Kitto asked him over the telephone about 2 p.m. on Saturday whether Bayne would be starting he replied that it was definite that Bayne would not be a competitor. It is claimed that steps should have been taken by Mr. Kitto to notify the public on Saturday morning that Bayne would not be appearing. In conclusion, Mr. Young says: "Furthermore, in my opinion, Bayno was not well enough to start, and, unless ho can go to the mark to give tho public of his best he should not be a competitor. After all, it is the public that keeps the amateur sport going, and they should be encouraged." NO CONSIDERATION SHOWN. The letter was shown to i.lr. Kitto, who replied as follows: "Bayne certainly rang me up on Friday night and informed mo that he would not be running, but in view of the importance of the occasion and the fact that Bayne knew in Duncdin two weeks earlier that he was being boomed as a starter, did not think he was serious in his statement, and in proof of this ia my action of sending two officials of the Petono Club to interview Bayne on Saturday at 2 p.m. I thoroughly endorse Mr. Young's final remarks when ho says: 'After all, it is the public that keeps the amateur sport going, and thoy should bo considered.' In my opinion, however, in the attitude that was adopted neither Bayne nor Mr. Young gave any consideration either to the Wellington Amateur Athletic Centre or to the public."

Arrangements arc to be nuidc for tho City Council to undertake tlic destruction of unwanted dogs and. eats at (lie Corporation's lethal chamber, the following charges to be made for this service: Tor dogs, a fee of 2s 6d if brought to the destructor, and 7s 6d if collected; for cats, foes of Is and 7a 6d.