SPIRIT OF OPTIMISM

Evening Star, Issue 20313, 23 October 1929, Page 5

SPIRIT OF OPTIMISM

ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION’S ANNUAL MEETING SUCCESSFUL YEAR'S OPERATIONS From athletic and financial aspects the past year has been one of the most successful in the history of the Otago Centro of -the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association, and at the annual meeting last night a spirit of optimism was in evidence regarding the future of amateur athletics in Otago. The president (Mr E. L. Alacassey) presided over a largo attendance of delegates. “ The past year has been one of the most active the centre has ever experienced,” said the Chairman, in moving the adoption of the annual report and balance-sheet (already published), and the support that had been accorded the various fixtures was testimony to the popularity of the sport. A series of evening meetings arranged by the centre last summer had proved very successful and popular with athletes, but be thought the centre would be working on the right lines were it to hold these evening meetings only every fortnight this season, the various clubs holding evening meetings in between. The Otago championships" had been very successful, Air Macassey proceeded, both from an athletic and a financial point of view, and the high standard shown at the’ provincial meeting was further demonstrated by the despatch of a strong team to the New Zealand championships, at which two championship events were won by Otago representatives. The progress made by women’s athletics was evidenced in -the sending of a team to the New Zealand championships, which had performed very creditably. Air Macassey made reference to the increasing growth and popularity of amateur cycling, making mention of tbo work of the two cycling dubs in the encouragement of the sport. The secondary schools’ athletic championships were attracting more schools in competition, and it was a matter for regret that the Waitaki Boys’ High School was one of tho few that did not participate. It was disappointing, too, that the public attendance was so small when the standard of aide tics at this meeting was so high. The New Zealand cross-country championship had been very well conducted by the centre, and the entertainment arranged had been very favourably commented upon by the visitors. A feature of the year’s operations was the splendid credit balance of £l7O, which was due in a large measure to the holding of tho dirt track meetings at Forbury Park with the co-operation of the motor cvcle section of the Otago Alotor Club. These meetings had been instituted as the result of a suggestion made by a vice-president of the centre, Air P. \V. Breen, and a further series was to be held during tho coming season, thanks to the generosity of the Forbury Park Trotting Club. The first would be hold next week. Interest this year would, bo greater than usual on account of the visit of the Canadian athletes, including Percv Williams, tho Olympic sprint champion. The sport had progressed in the outside districts last season, amd special reference should bo made to the successful meeting held by the newlyformed club at Alilton. Aleetings had also been held in- Invercargill, Alosgiel, Waikouaiti, and Oamaru. Athletes and the centre were both greatly indebted to Air K, Alaxwell, the Caledonian Society’s groundsman, for the valuable work he had done during the year, and praise was also due to tho record clerk (Mr C. K. Heaton), the treasurer (Air 11. Swinnev), the sports secretary (Mr H. T. Emmersou), and the secretary (Mr E. C. Isaacs) for tho way they had carried out their duties during the year. He also desired to thank all who had assisted at the centre's meetings during the year. The Chairman expressed the thanks of the centre to the Hon. W. B. Taverner, who had very generously prosecuted a cup to the 'centre for the junior cross-country championship, which had been won by the Aldrnington Club. The motion was seconded by Air C. W. Clark, who expressed gratification at tho splendid balance-sheet, and also at the fine racing provided during the season. He would like to see \N aitaki Boys’ High School competing at the secondary schools’ championships. In speaking to the motion, Air 11. Swinney said that tiro balance-sheet was the best for the last twentj-six vears. In 1925-2(3, when the New Zea. land championships were hold hero, there had been a credit balance ot 149. The motion was carried unanimously. OFFICE-BEAKERS. Tho election of office-bearers resulted:— Patrons —Hon. W. B. Taverner, M.P., and Hon. T. K. Sidey; president, Air E. L. Alacassey; vice-presi-dents —Alessrs P. W. Breen, C. W. Clark, and 11. Swinney; hen. secretary, Air K. C. Isaacs; sports secretary, Mill. T. Emmersou; treasurer, Air It. Swinney; record clerk. Air C. K. Heaton; lion, auditor, Air A. G. Melville; bon. surveyor, Air F. J. Williams; bon. starter, Air A. Burk; delegates to New Zealand Amateur Athletic Associations —Messrs F. AI. Ileid and A. Urquhart: sub-local officers—lnvercargill, Mr j. Page; Balclutha, Air S. A r . White; Alilton, Air J. R. Wilson; Otago Central —Alessrs P. Perkins and T. Mitchell; Oamaru, Alessrs J. Reynolds ami A. 11. Alalcolm; timekeepers—Alessrs T. P. Williamson, H. A. Ho"g, J. B. Nelson, A. Alelville, W. E.'"Matthews, 11. 0. Ockwell, and C. Lucas; lion, handicappers—Messrs 13. H. Rosevear (track and field), and A. Ockwell (cycling); trustees of trophies—Alessrs 11. Swinney, H. T. Emmersou, and C. W. Clark; Sports Committee —Alessrs E. L. Alacassey, A. T. APJndoe, C. W. Clark, P. W. Breen, F H. Gibson, J. Johnson, A, Alelville, R 0. Johnson, N. Berry, E. C. Isaacs, R. Thompson, and 11. T. Emmersou (sports secretary). OTAGO CHAAIPIONSHIPS.

On behalf of the Invercargill Club, Mr Isaacs moved that the Otago championships b© held in Invercargill this season.Ho pointed nut that the Invercargill Club had been a strong supporter of tho championship meeting for years past, and the holding of the championships there would give tho sport a big fillip in Southland. Mr Heaton seconded the motion, which was defeated. Mr Isaacs then moved that the Invercargill Club be permitted to bold Southland sub-centro championships along the lines of the Otago championships, and that an effort be made to get Dunedin athletes to participate. Mr A. T. MTndoo > seconded tho motion,, which was carried. On the motion of Mr Breen, seconded by Mr Hoy, it , was decided that all competitors in field events must take part in the preliminaries on the Friday night before the championships. APPRECIATION. It was decided to send letters of appreciation to the centre’s delegates on the New Zealand Council (Messrs A. IJrquhart and H. W. Franklin) for theservices they had rendered, and it was also resolved to write to Mr R. Maxwell (groundsman at the Caledonian Ground), the St. John Ambulance Association, and the Caledonian Society thanking them for their efforts on behalf of the sport during the season.

It was also resolved to forward a letter to the Otago Rugby League, thanking it for putting on cycle races during the winter. f It was resolved that honorariums of £5 5s each be granted to the secretary (Mr'E. C. Isaacs), sports secretary (Mr IL T. Emmcrson), and treasurer (Mill; Swinney). GENERAL. A recommendation was carried that the centre consider the date for the Port road race at its March meeting. The Sports Committee was instructed to draw up a programme of evening meetings for the season. Mr Emmcrson referred to the possibility of Waitaki Boys’ High School competing at _ the next secondary schools’ championship, and it was also decided to donate a javelin to the Waitaki Boys’ High School. MONTHLY MEETING OF CENTRE

APPLICATION FOR NEW ZEALAND CHAMPIONSHIPS. Prior to the annual meeting, the monthly meeting was held, Mr E. L. Macassey being in the chair. The Secretary of the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association advised that the annual meeting of the association would be held in Wellington on. November 18, and that tho following championships would bo allocated at the meeting:—Track and field championships, 1930-31; Now Zealand crosscountry. championship, 1930: New Zealand road cycling championship, 1030. ■lt was also stated that a of motion would be moved that a shield be provided for team competition at the New Zealand cross-country championship. It was decided to apply for the New Zealand track and field championships in the 1930-31 season, and i± was also resolved to instruct .the centre delegates on the council to support the motion regarding the provision of a shield for team competition r.t the New Zealand cross-country championship. OTAGO CYCLISTS. Mr P. Traill (manager) reported on the visit of the Otago cyclists to Christchurch for the New Zealand road cycling championship, and stated that although tho Otago team did not win any or tho trophies it gave a • very creditable display. W. J. rr empleton was the first Otago man home, being in seventeenth position. 11. Taylor was twenty-fifth. G. Smith was very unlucky, as he met with tyro trouble Carly iii the race. The Canterbury officials did everything possible for the team, and taken all round the trip was a big success. Several Wellington riders stated that next season they would com pete in one of the Dunedin road races. RELAY PACOS. Mr Hay made a suggestion that there should bo no entry fees in relay races, and that no prizes be given, as the.se races all counted for the cup awarded for most points Ho moved that all relay races in conjunction with the Otago Centro he run without the award of prizes, and that no entry fee be charged. Mr E. A. Bastings seconded the motion, but Mr R. Thompson moved rs an amendment that the delegates be instructed to bring the matter before their clubs for an expression of opinion, the amendment bring carried. CYCLING CHAMPIONS.HIPS. The Otago Amateur Cycling Club applied for permission to stage during the season the quarter and tbree-ouar-ter mile cycling championships of Otago in both A and B classes. Some discussion ensued, and it was resolved that permission be granted for the bolding of straight-out championship races over the quarter and threequarter mile distances. OTHER MATTERS. The minutes of the meeting of the Now Zealand Council for October 2 were received. These stated that it was hoped shortly to advise definitely who would bo accompanying Percy Williams, the Canadian and Olympic sprint champion, on his tour of New Zealand, ft was also stated that the application of A. C. E. Wills (Dunedin) for reinstatement had boon declined. Tho Secretary of the Otago Aero Club wrote asking if the centre would bo prepared to put on an afternoon sports meeting and dirt track racing on a basis to bo arranged. Tho club was trying to raise funds for tho purpose of improving the aerodrome grounds at Green Island.—lt was decided to inform tho Aero Club that a full programme of meetings had been drawn up, and that it would be unable to bold further meetings. Advice was received from the Now Zealand Olympic Council that it intended sending a representative to the centres at an early date. The association would welcome any suggestions the centre had to make with regard to- the association’s well-being. Applications for transfers were received from J. Cockerill, Otago Amateur Cycling Club to Pacific Harrier, A.A., and Cycling Club; R. Carvalho, from Leith to St. Patrick’s; J. E. Delaney, from St'. Hilda to Pacific.— It was'decided to inform the applicants that their applications had been forwarded too late, and that they would now have to stand over until the last centre meeting prior to April 1. The Canterbury Centre of the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association wrote conveying its thanks for the hospitality which was shown to its harrier team at the New Zealand championships. Its representatives wore most enthusiastic about the success of the meeting and the Otago Centre’s kindness to them.

it was decided to forward the application of D. J. Oliver for reinstatement to the New Zealand Council with a favourable recommendation. The Secretary of the Tokomairiro Harrier and Amateur Athletic Club advised that Mr W. F. Mills had been appointed to represent it on the centre. The club was hoping for a good season, and had spent £2O on improvements to its track. it was decided-to apply to the City Council for permission to make a jumping pit on Ellis Park, on which a number of athletes did their training.