ATHLETICS

Evening Star, Issue 16195, 17 August 1916, Page 5

ATHLETICS

OTAGO CENTRE N.Z.A. AND C.TT. . The monthly meeting of the Otago Centre N.Z.A. and C7U. was held last evening; presents-Messrs A. Polworth (president), J. Carroll, A. Campbell, W. Wylio, D. Telford, D. F. M'Kay, H. M'Donald, and A. Dreaver. The sub-committee appointed to investigate the centre's points prize for the' season 1915-16 reported that the positions of the six leading competitors were as follow: J. Botting (Naseby) 17, R. Hansen (Middlemarch) 15. F. M. Anderson (Dunedin) 14, A. M'Cunn (Dunedin) 13, R. Tohill (Alexandra) 13, F. Kearney (Dunedin) 12. Tho prize of five guineas is therefore won by Botting.

On tho motion of Mr M'Kay a resolution of sympathy with Mr R. J. Varcoe (Cromwell) on the death of his brother while on active, service was carried.

' —The Heriot Club.— 7Jr Campbell moved to suspend the standing orders in order to allow the case of the Heriot Sporta Club to be reopened. Tho club were disqualified at last meeting for holding «n unregistered meeting. The reason given for the motion was that fresh evidence had come to hand, a letter from the secretary of the club having been received the day after the centre had imposed the disqualification.

This letter expressed regret for the delay in sending tho affiliation fee (£1 Is) forward. The secretary explained that he had been under a misapprehension, and thought the club had affiliated, but on looking up his balance-sheet found he had not forwarded tho fee. He would see that tho amount was forwarded as soon a 6 possible. It was explained that, although the meeting was not registered, tie fact that it was being run under tho rules of tho N.Z.A. and C.U. had been advertised on the programme. Several members expressed the opinion that competitors had been misled.

Tho Secretary stated that although almost two months bad elapsed no fee had been received from the club, notwithstanding the fact that the president had written to the secretary explaining that the centre desired that its relations with tho clubs should be of the most friendly and cordial nature, and further intimating that on receipt of the fee the position with regard to the matter of the disqualification would bo reconsidered.

Members -expressed the opinion that the fee was vf>ry mucii overdue. Mr M'Boiiflld moved that unless the fee bo paid by the end of the month the disqualification on all officials of the club remain.

Mr Wylie seconded the motion, which was carried.

It waa agreed that the position of the competitors who had been disqualified for competing at an unregistered meeting should be reviewed at next meeting.

—No Appearance.— Campbeh i-lso moved to suspend the standing orders in order to reopen the case of John Curry (Heriot), who had been disqualified for certain alleged offences. The reason given for the motion was that Curry had not been given an opportunity of appearing before the centre and explaining. The motion was agreed to. Curry wrote a long letter to the osntre, in which he said his disqualification came as a surprise, complained that he had not been asked to appear'before the centre, and protested that he had never had any trouble during a period of 17 years as a competitor. It was stated that Curry had been written to and invited to appear before the centre.

Curry, however, did not put in an appearance.

Mr Campbell said Curry should be dealt. ! with. He had not taken advantage of the chances given him. He moved that, the disqualification remain. Mr Carroll seconded. He said that Curry had been given several opportunities. The motion was carried.