WELLINGTON CENTRE

Evening Post, Volume CXIX, Issue 30, 5 February 1935, Page 13

WELLINGTON CENTRE

A DISQUALIFICATION

A meeting of the Wellington Centre of the N.Z.A.A.A. was held last night. Mr. A. C. Kitto presided.'

A letter was received from the Wairarapa Sub-association saying that the Featherston Amateur Athletic Club had asked.permission to hold a meeting on February 10. It was decided to point out to the Wairarapa body that no such organisation as the Featherston Amateur Athletic Club was recognised by the N.Z.A.A.A., or affiliated to it.

The Wairarapa Sub-association- forwarded also a remit referring to the clashing of fixtures in its district owing to the activities of a body known as the Old Boys' Association, which would stage; say, a meeting at Masterton, inviting exrpupils from Dannevirke* to compete. .On the same day, the other athletic association would be staging a contest at Daunevirke, but, as the ex-pupils of the various schools would prefer to renew old acquaintances by participating in the Masterton meeting, the other meeting would suffer considerably. The sub-association therefore suggested that any unit of the Old Boys' I Association should.have to apply to the centre for,-permission to hold a sports meeting.' , . • The meeting decided that, owing to the difficulty of arranging dates—the' British team arrives on the 23rd, which was, the date suggested for the Wellington-Canter-bury contest—and due also to the fact that many of the star athletes would be unable to make the trip, the Canterbury Association bo advised1 that the Wellington Centre, thought it would., be in..the interests of both parties to hold the projected meeting, over until next year. . A letter was received from the New Zealand Council in reference to the disqualification of A. C. Blackburn, which, the council said, would stand. The position was, Mi1. Kitto explained, that only two and a half months after BJackburn was reinstated, he attended the first meeting of the newly-formed cash athletics club. Blackburn had been before the council, but had apparently been unsuccessful. The. Wellington Centre could do nothing in the matter. Blackburn had had every help and all the advice they, could give him, arid-it rested with him to prove his case. Members objected to the action of the council rin not 'consulting the Wellington Centre'before taking such action. The first move should have come' from the centre. Mr. Kitto replied that the action was really justified by the circumstances, but it was hasty, and the centre's opinion on the matter should have been sought.beforehand. •

The Civil Service sports were, postponed until February 27, and the date of the centre's conference has, been fixed as' at March 8, though it has not yet been decided where it will be held. ~ '■■■:'

The usual programme of flat and jumping events was approved for the Wellington provincial meeting to be held on February 16. Entries close on Friday next, and no late entries will be accepted. Points pained at the meeting will. qount for the McVilly Shield; '"■ ■ .. My. L. Price, of Petone, was appointed manager of the team going to Masterton. - A deputation, said Mr. Kitto, had waited qn_ the City Council and the reserves committee in reference to holding evening meetings every • Monday, and aa to whether children's races could be staged. The | deputation received a sympathetic hearing,' and the centre would hear later of the result. ■ • . •

■ The gross takings at last Saturday's Dewar Shield meeting, said the.chairman, ■were.£32 Is 6d, and, although there were several accounts to be deducted from this sum, it could be considered very satisfactory. A motion of thanks was passed to thePetone Club for its efforts, which made the meeting such a success. ;,; .; j