ATHLETIC AND CYCLING UNION

Evening Star, Issue 17766, 14 September 1921, Page 5

ATHLETIC AND CYCLING UNION

ANNUAL CONFERENCE. Tho annual conference of the New Zea- , land Athletic and Cycling Union was Ijeld in Dunedin this morning, the delegates present being J. Kennedy (chairman), A. B. Davy (Poverty Eav), A. A. Geojjgc (Hawke's Bay), 11. J. Edwards (Poverty Bay), A. J. Curry (Blenheim). D. F. M‘Kay ’ (Dunedin), A. M. Wylie E. B. Meek, and A. A. Campbell (Otago), C. E. Church (Gisborne), P. C. Lucas (North Canterbury), H. A. Kuttnll (Taranaki), and H. H. F raeev (secretary, Timaru). CHAIRMAN’S ADDRESS. The President, in moving the adoption of tho annual report and balancc-sh-cf. welcomed the delegates. Since the lest, . meeting in Wellington the executive Hul done a fair amount of business. The annual meeting was usually held in January, but had been held earlier this year because sport during the war had been dragging and it was hoped to put everything in proper trim for the incoming season. There was every indication they we/e going to have a prosperous time , ahead, especially, in regard to athletics. At the last conference Air Davy had been appointed to go into matters in the North Island, and he had visited various district and ably carried out his duties. As a resplt it was hoped that within a reasonable space of time the union would be controlling the whole of New Zealand, not in a piecemeal way ns in the past. The various centres had been working loyally with the union. The whole of the centres in the Smith Island were

financial, and also those that were in operation in the North Island. This spoke well for the spirit and enthusiasm of the clubs that formed the centres. It was

a long time since all centres had been financial and carried out their functions »s laid down in the rules. He congratulated the various centres on their good

work, and the fine reports handed in

The finances of the union were in a fairly buoyant position. They did not set themselves out to store up finance, but were satisfied-to get sufficient money to carry on and be able to give a little assistance to worthy objects in sport. Since the axemen had come in with tnem it would bo a decided advantage, as cJubs would have to pay only one fee tor cycling, athletic, and wood-chopping events. The finances showed a credit of £63 16s 6d, but since the balance-sheet was i jvml £35 5s 6d had been received, comprising £4 12s 6d from the West Coast, £lO 12s 6d fr&m South Canterbury, and £2-5 Is from Poverty Bav. This gave theny a credit of £142 325, and their liabilities were nil. With record tn reciprocal arrangements, the union was in touch with the parent cycling body in Australia. As far as the control of sports meetings was concerned there had been very little friction during the year. The executive would deal with the case of two men from Taranaki. The men concerned would bo given even- opportunity to make an explanation. Tho question of resuming the big ’cycling races, such as tho TimaruChrisbchurch race, . and the round-the-mountain race , <! (around Mount Kgraont), which were held annually before the war, had been considered and it was hoped that this season both of those races would be resumed. As he was retiring from the presidency after ten years' occupancy of the office, ho would lilci* to give a brief resume of tho history of the union. It

was inaugurated at Wellington in 1905 at a meeting at which there were eight representatives from different parts of New Zealand. They had carried on under adverse circumstances in many cases, and io-day were in Hie proud position of havag a largo control of sport throughout New Zealand. It was pretty certain that within reasonable time their control would

be general. He could safely say that there was no such other body in the world as theirs with such good rules or which conducted sport in the way theydid.

Air Davy seconded the motion, stating that the balance was very satisfactory, Tha motion was carried. AFFILIATED CLUBS.

The Chairman intimated that Southland had sixteen clubs in tho centre, Otago twenty-six clubs, South Canterbury eleven clubs, North Canterbury eight clubs, W T est Coast five clubs, Marlborough and Nelson eight clubs, Feilding six clubs, Raetihi seven clubs, Taranaki eighteen clubs. Poverty Bay sixteen clubs, and Hawke’s Bay six clubs. SHEFFIELD HANDICAPS. Mr Campbell moved an Otago remit which dealt with Sheffield handicaps. The principal clauses were as follow : —That the distance of Sheffield handicaps shall bo 135 yards; that the race be run in heats containing no more than six_ competitors nor less than three; that, in tho event of a competitor breaking, the penalties shall be one yard (first offence), one yards (second offence in same heat), and disqualification (third offence); that the scratch man be started off three yards, thus allowing for penalties that may_ be incurred.—Air Davy seconded the motion, and after a considerable amount of discussion it waS carried. PRIZES AND MEDALS.

Air Aleek moved an Otago remit which

read as follows :—That in the case of special prizes and medals given for most points in athletic events, and where two or more competitors tie, tho prize shall be given to the competitor who is nearest to the scratch mark, preference to be given as follows:—Running, longest_ distance; cycling, longest distance; jumping in the following order—high jump, long jump, hop-step-and-jump; field events —wrestling, ball, hammer, and caber. The following events—maiden, district race, axemen’s events, returned soldiers’ races, consolation or forced handicap, tug-of-war, or any event not under the jurisdiction of the union not to be _ included in point prizes.—This was carried. AXEMEN’S RULES.

Mr Edwards moved the following remit from tho Poverty Bay Centre “ That a Hock must be chopped off clean with axe. Any competitor pushing off block with hands will be disqualified.”—The remit was seconded, and it was suggested that a committee should be act up to revise axemen’s’rules. —It was pointed out that the Axemen’s Association was now defunct and that the centre controlled wood-chop-ping.—lt was decided to hold oyer the remit and recommend to the incoming executive to set aip a small committee to revise axemen’s rules. MONTHLY CALENDAR.

Mr Edwards moved that the monthly calendar of tho union be resuscitated.—He stated that it would be practically selfsupporting, and if posted to competitors would be an incentive to them to take part in meetings.—lt was decided to withdraw the remit and to ask Air Edwarfs to submit a report to the incoming executive how the calendar could be made self-supporting. —The secretary remarked that the calendar was self-supporting 5 before the war, but at the present time he was afraid the cost would be too much.

HANDICAPPING WOOD-CHOPPING. < Air Davy moved a remit from the Poverty Bay Centre that one handicapper bo appointed for the South Island and one for the North Island for the chopping and sawing events. —The mover said this would bring about more close sport in chopping end sawing, which was very difficult to handicap.—Other delegates were of the opinion that the' expense of bringing the handicapper to meetings would be too great iov centre*—Air Nuttall suggested that a handicapper be appointed lot the North Island alone, as there was not nearly the same amount of chopping in the South Island.—The remit was amended in this way'and carried. V «, (Left sitting.)