CROSS-COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIP.

Evening Star, Issue 14607, 1 July 1911, Page 8

CROSS-COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIP.

OTA GO’S REPRESENTATION. A special meeting of the Otago Centre of the New Zealand Amateur AthleticAssociation, held last evening, was attended by the president (Mr E. Rohcvear), Messrs Thompson, Breen, A. Melville, A. R. Barclay. Ferens, Rainsford, .Divers, Murray, and the hon. secretary (Mr List). Messrs 'Westwood, Mercer, and Chambers, representing the Cavorsham Harriers, waited as a deputation to protest against the doois’on not to ho represented in the New Zealand Crosscountry Championship at Auckland. It was pointed out that the event was purely a harrier race, and the deputation considered that the Dunedin harrier chibs should have received consideration ; that the Otago Centre was instrumental in having the championship inaugurated by the New Zealand Council ; and that Otago, being at present the champion team, an opportunity should be afforded a team to defend the title. While it was true that the centre was not in a financial position to send a team, it was urged that the members of the various harrier clubs could subscribe the amount necessary to finance a team.—After discussion Mr Divers moved, and Mr A. Melville seconded ‘‘That the resolution passed at the last ordinary meeting of the centre, that Otago Centre should not be represented at the Cross-country Championship at Auckland on August l‘J, bo rescinded.” This was negatived, but it was resolved unanimously, on the motion of Mr List, seconded by Mr Murray—‘‘That subscript! m lists be circulated with a view to sending a team to Auckland, and that the matter ho considered at the next monthly meeting of the centre.”—-Subscription lists were then handed to each member present, witl\ the object of defraying the expenses if a team is sent. Subsequently to the meeting being held a communication Mas received, from Mr Harry Frost, hon. secretary to the Auckland Centre, as follows: With further reference to my letter to you of the Bth inst.—to which I am without reply—l have now to advise yon that the three centres, Otago, Canterbury, and Southland, are unable to send teams to compete, and as I understand that at least three centres must he represented to enable the race to he competed for, 1 regret to say this centre will be unable to carry out the fixture, and we therefore; resign our claim to hold the championship. I am very sorry, for I believe we could have made a success of the race, and it would have helped to revive interest in amateur athletics hero. However, “ needs must when the devil drives,” and yon can plainly see that the conditions of the race arc prohibitive as regards having the (-vent decided in Auckland. We have a feeling of sympathy for those centres who are unable to send teams by reason of impecuniosity, because this centre is in a similar state of “ bard-up-noss,” only, if possible, more so, and as a consequence would be quite unable to send a team to compete at any other centre. I know it’s a bad state of affairs, and, worse hick. I can see no possibility of improvement in the state of our exchequer. Intimation was this morning sent to Auckland that there is a reasonable prospect of Otago sending a team, and urging the Auckland Centre to reconsider tlmir decision. An Association wire to hand this afternoon states that Auckland has agreed to Dunedin’s request for the withdrawal of the letter resigning the championship.