ATHLETIC GROUNDS

Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 77, 28 September 1938, Page 5

ATHLETIC GROUNDS

THE WELLINGTON CLUB

60 YEARS IN EXISTENCE

Some dissatisfaction with the allotment of grounds for amateur athletics in Wellington was expressed at the annual meeting of the Wellington Amateur Athletic Club last night. Mem- ; bers complained of the condition of ;the ground at Hataitai Park, but the president, Mr. A. C. Kitto, explained that there was little chance of getting the Basin Reserve. The season had been the most successful in the club's history, stated the annual report. The roll .vas 146, of which 81 were registered and appeared on the track. New phases were the engagement of a coach from America, the formation of an athletic sub-com-mittee, and inter-club scratch races. The Jack of support accorded the coach, Mr. A. Fitch, was disappointing, but he had done good work in the prinv I ary and secondary schools. The sub-committee, which was set up to control athletics in the city and suburbs, had held weekly meetings at Hataitai Park, but the members had resigned en bloc. In competitions the club had retained all but one of the challenge trophies it held and had regained one. The club entered 45 out of 107 entries in <the provincial championships and gained 16 firsts. 15 seconds, and 8 thirds, winning the McVilly Shield. PROVINCIAL TITLES. The following members gained provincial titles:—J. Sutherland, 100 yds senior and 220 yds junior; A. R. Wjl son, 1 mile; A. J. Mackay, 3 miles; J. McDonald, 120 yds hurdles; J. Hamil ton, 220 yds and 400 yds hurdles; P. Munro, shot and discus; D. C. Peder-j

son, 1 mile walk; F. Bradley, pole vault (equal); W. Evenson, broad jump, junior; men's relay team; Miss J- Sharp, high and broad jumps, and 90yds hurdles. The club won the McVilly Shield with 97 5-6 points. Combined Old Boys being second with 21 points. The following members represented the province at the New Zealand cham pionships:—J. Sutherland, A. R. Wilson, J. Hamilton. J. Ford, T. McCashin. and K. Guy.

Other club successes were: Dewar Shield (two. teams), first and fifth: Oates Baton, tie with University Club; Heenan Baton, won from Kiwi Club; scratch races, first.

In the annual contests with the Wanganui Club, Wanganui retained the Saunders Medallions and the well Memorial Cup, Wellington retaining the jubilee banner and Falkner Cup.

The weekly races were popular, and 49 members gained points in the competition. The final results were: Senior men sprints, H. Tonks, 22 points; senior men distance, A. A. Bourgeois. 14 points; senior men jumps. L. Vernon, 29 points; ladies, all events. Miss M. Molloy. 44 points; junior, all events. W. Evenson, 55 points., Congratulations were offered to N. McCarthy, W. Fulton. A. Kofoed, and W. Gillespie, four members who represented the New Zealand Police Force at Sydney in the Empire Police Contests, to Miss J. Willson on gaining New Zealand honours in basketball, and to A. R. Wilson and A. J. Mackay. . The juniors were a fine lot of boys, and in the ladies' branch there were bright prospects. Mr. Kitto urged club members to help other clubs. Success depended on competition, he said, and assistance to other clubs would help the "athletic I venture"' generally. Mr. Kitto coniI mented on the value of the coachiris I provided by Mr. Fitch. The coaching committee of the Wellington centre was drawing up a syllabus and he asked members to utilise his services..

Mr. Kitto said that there was asug- . gestion that a committee formed'drone representative from each club replace the athletic sub-committee which had resigned in- March. .-. ~-.,.,. Mr. A. Marryatt, a life member, congratulated the club on its sixty years of progress. , -•- The following new members were. elected:—R. O. Cooper, E. J. Phillips, !n. W. Brooks, D. C. Burns, E. H. Morton, A. L. Fagg, H. S. Hewitt, Miss J. j Marks. .■ : : OFFICERS ELECTED. The following officers were elected: Pavron, his Excellency, Lord Galway; president, Mr. A. C. Kitto; .secretary, Mr. R. Spence; treasurer, Mr. H. R, Wade; club captain, Mr. A. A.-Bour-geois; deputy club captain, Mr.. A, Welply; recording secretaries, Mr. I?. Parkinson and Miss'J. Lark; delegates to Wellington centre, Messrs. H. R. Wade and R. Wilson; men's selectors, Messrs. R. Spence." S. Murray, and A. J. Hose; starter, Mr. T. W. Leslie; deputy, Mr. J. T. Fleming; committee. Miss J. Sharp and Messrs. Kidd, J. Gasson, J. Ford, and W. Sutherland. ' Mr. A. Fitch, who addressed the meeting, said that this season he would divide his time between Wellington t and Christchurch and that he would offer a prize for the most improved athlete in the two centres. ..- ■■;' Mr. Fitch regretted that in a city :: the size of Wellington there was not a first-class track. V However, the best use would be made of the facilities available. ' -■-'. It was decided that the cup present- ; ed by Mr. Jacobs in memory of the late-Mr. E. J. Sutherland be awarded ■ to the club member gaining the most ■ points in the field events at the provincial championships. -•.- Messrs. Marryatt, Hose, Sutherland, Wade, and Spence were appointed;* sub-committee to consider the celebFation of the club's jubilee. At the conclusion. of the meeting-• number of club trophies were present* ed by Mr. Kitto. . ;