DUNEDIN THE VENUE

Evening Star, Issue 21633, 31 January 1934, Page 4

DUNEDIN THE VENUE

AUSTRALIAN ATHLETES Through the generosity of the Caledonian Society, the Australian athletes— J. Metcalfe, \V. Harwich, and K. Hampson—will now he enabled to appear in Dunedin on February 24, the date originally allotted. An appearance had already -been granted to Invercargill. but owing to the Caledonian Society’s own sports being lixed for February 24 a hitch hud occurred regarding the appearance of the Australians here. The centre was faced with the possibility of the meeting having to be transferred to Oamaru, but the Caledonian Society’s offer to postpone its meeting was gratefully accepted at a special meeting of the Otago Centre of the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association last night. Those present were the president (Mr ; K. L. Macnssev). Messrs'R. Thompson. G. L. Buddicom, R. H. Cabot, F. C. Isaacs, \V. C. M'Donnell. B. R. M'Kernan, W. J. Bennett, C. H. M’Lean. juu.. A. T. M'lndoe, C. K. Heaton, L. R. M'Millan. W. H. Masters, and T. M. B redone (lion, secretary). Mr Macnssey explained that at the last meeting of the centre it had been left to him to communicate with the IS’ew Zealand Council _ first ns to whether it would give its consent to an exhibition meeting being staged on Mondav, February 2G. if the meeting on February 24 were allotted to Oamaru, and. secondly, as to whether a joint mooting could he run by the centre and the Caledonian Society on

February 24, at which the Australians could compete. Mr Macasse.y said ho had got in touch with Mr H. I. Austad (chairman of the New Zealand Council) that morning, and Mr Austad said that an exhibition meeting could not bo arranged because the itinerary tor the Australians’ visit was approved in Australia. Certain dates bad been allotted, and no extra meetings could be held. That meant that only two meetings could be held in Otago. So far as the combined meeting with the Caledonian Society was concerned, a balance-sheet had to be issued to the New Zealand Council by the centre, which had to provide the expenses of the Australian team while here, and Mr Austad said that it was doubtful whether permission could be granted for the combined meeting. Air Macassey said that if a date could not be fixed in Dunedin, tile council would be agreeable to the meeting being held in Oamaru. He knew, however, that the centre desired the Australians in Dunedin, and the position had been put before the Caledonian Society at n meeting that night. The-society had now decided to allot tho Caledonian

Ground to tho centre on February 24, and to postpone tho Caledonian meeting until March 10 on condition that the support' of athletes was assured them for the later date. The Canter-bury-Otago interprovincial contest would have to bo postponed till March 24. Mr Buddicom said that, although the North Otago Club would have preferred the Australians, it would be glad to have the interprovincial meeting, and be was assured flint there would be no difficulty in arranging billets for the visiting athletes. Mr Thompson then moved that the Otago Centre should stage the meeting at which the Australians would appear at Dunedin on February 24. The motion was carried, and Mr Bennett said that the centre greatly indebted to the Caledonian Society. He expressed the hope that the soeeity would have every success with its meeting on the later date. Tt was decided to write thanking the Cnledoni.au Society . for the action it had taken. It was decided to allot to Onmani the intenirovineiah meeting between Otago and Canterbury on March 24.

An application for reinstatement was, received from 1). B. Pernam (Henot), and it was decided to forward it to the New Zealand Council with a favourable recommendation. In connection with It. C. Browns attempt on the New Zealand ten-mile record of 56min 4sec on Saturday afternoon next, during the progress of the Otago track and field championships, it was decided to make arrangements for the surveying of the asphalt track on which he 'will run and for the provision of snecinl watches ill connection with his attempt.