SERVICES RECOGNISED

Evening Star, Issue 19697, 26 October 1927, Page 3

SERVICES RECOGNISED

PHESEHTATIOH TO ATHLETIC OFFICIAL

For some years past Mr li. L. Macasscy has been president of tbo Otago Centro of the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association, and under his control amateur athletics in Otago have risen to a high level, a fact which was recognised at the annual meeting of the centre last night, when Iho presentation of an engraved smoker’s stand was made to Mr Macassey by tho delegates. The presentation was made by one of tho vice-presidents, Mr 0. W. Clark, who said that Mr Macassoy was one of the best presidents the centre had over had. Their president was a true amateur in all senses of the word, and lie fiad been associated with amacoui athletics over a Jong period of years. He bad taken part m tho first harrier run in Dunedin, and on one occasion was third in the New Zealand 44Uyds championship. Since he had been president of the Otago Centro, nothing that would benefit tho sport had occn too much trouble for him, and the centre felt that the time was now opportune for it to show its appreciation of Mr Macassey’s service in some tangible manner, and therefore it was with a good deal of pleasure that he asked their president to accept their gift, and also to convey to Mrs Macassey the centre’s good wishes, for the speaker said that he (realised that the ■wife of a man associated with any sports body was called upon at times to make some sacrifice when her husband attended meetings ami such like. “ I have had a great deal to do nitli Mr Macassey as a runner and an olficia],” said Mr A. T. M‘lndoe, and I can endorse everything the p rev unis speaker has said.” Mr M’Jndoo added that ever since Mr Macassoy had been on© of Dunedin’s leading runners himself he had been prominently associated with the sport to which he had rendered yeoman service. Mr A. Melville said that amateur athletics in Otago, had gone ahead m leaps and bounds since MrMacassey became president of the centre, and its progress was a monument to to «!• tU Messrs R. Switmoy and.B. C* fcaacs spoke of the assistance given to them by Mr Macassey during their respective terms of office as secretary. Mr W. h. Hooper, one of the weepresidents, also referred to Mr Macassey’s 'work on the centre. After the singing of For he a ■ Jolly good fellow,” Mr Macassey briefly responded, thankbw the eentre for its generous gift and kindly sentiments, and stating that so. long as ho was m tho presidential chair ho would do the very best ho oonid for the good of the