POLE VAULT RECORD

Evening Star, Issue 21499, 25 August 1933, Page 4

POLE VAULT RECORD

THE DUNEDIN AWARD CANTERBURY DECLINES TO APOLOGISE [Special to the * Star.’] CHRISTCHURCH, August 23. The Otago Amateur Athletic Centre has taken strong exception to remarks bade by a delegate in Canterbury concerning the pole vault record recently, granted to a Dunedin athlete. The delegate concerned asked at a meeting of tlie Canterbury Centre recently if something could be done about the record set up at Dunedin, as he had heard that the conditions under which the performance was recorded were questionable. The Otago Centre, in a letter received by the Canterbury executive last evening, asked for an apology,, but the Canterbury officials decided to fake no action. The letter from the Otago secretary read as follows: —“ The attention of this centre has been drawn to Press reports of a recent meeting of your, centre wherein certain remarks were attributed to Mr L. W. Smith, a member of your centre, to the-effect that' the rules governing the granting of records had not been complied with in regard to the New Zealand pole vault record awarded to R. 0. Johnson. If th{s report is correct, it is unnecessary, for me to emphasise the indiscretion! jmd danger of making such unguarded and unjustifiable remarks, reflecting on the capacity of the officials of another centre. I am unaware of the foundation! of the statements, but can assure you that the performance in question was passed by, and certified to by, officials of long experience, who are known in athletic circles throughout New Zealand. Without wishing to labour the matter Unduly, this centre considers that an apology should be made, and the remarks withdrawn with the same publicity as was afforded the original statement.”

A similar letter had been addressed to Mr Smith. Mr J. A. Gasson recalled the remarks made at the previous meeting of the Canterbury Centre, referring at the same time to the Otago Centre’s letter as an absolute impertinence, The ques« tion had been raised by Mr Smith at the quarterly meeting of delegates. It had been reported in the newspapers* and had reached Otago, where there had been all kinds of comment. The Canterbury Centre had not confirmed Mr Smith’s remarks.

Mr L. H. Hill said he was of tba opinion of the Canterbury president, Mr M. Leadbetfer, that this was not a matter concerning thb centre and not vitally important. Mr Gasson added that he was sorry, no action had been taken by the centre, although there were ho first-hand facts. It was decided to advise the Otago Centro that its letter had been received and noted, but that, Canterbury had no recommendation to make at ill.