REINSTATED ATHLETES

Evening Star, Issue 22628, 21 April 1937, Page 4

REINSTATED ATHLETES

PARTICIPATION IN EMPIRE GAMES MOVE BY OTAGO CENTRE The ineligibility of reinstated athletes to participate in the British Empire Gaines was the subject of discussion at last night’s meeting of the Otago Centre of the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association, a motion being carried that the support, of the other centres be obtained in an effort to get the council to approach the British Empire Games Association to permit reinstated athletes to compete. Those present were Messrs C. W. Clark (in the chair), E. G. Isaacs, It. Thompson, T. M. Brydono, W. Burridge, J. L. W. Gerken, W. H. Masters, 0. A. Pope, J. W. Holley, L. W. Woods, L. Hill, R. G Pilling, J. A. Bond, C. K. Heaton, R. A. Romeril, B. R. M'Kernan, A. G. Hall, A. A. Cameron, R. N. Watson, M. MTndoe, J. J. Morris, and J. G. Barnes (hon. secretary). The secretary of the New Zealand Council advised with reference to New Zealand reinstated athletes competing at the Empire Games that the matter was considered at the last meeting of the council, which decided to take no action. •

Mr Isaacs said that, although there was a strict rule that reinstated athletes were not eligible to compete at the British Empire Games, it was difficult to see why there should be any differentiation between the Empire Games and the Olympic Games at which reinstated athletes had competed. It was not likely that any change would he made for the next Empire Games, but a good purpose might he served if the question were brought up when the Empire Games were held in Sydney. The fact that so many reinstated athletes had proved successful at New Zealand championship meetings showed that these men were amateurs at heart, and it was a pity that, while they could compete against amateurs in New Zealand, they could not do so elsewhere. He suggested that the council might be asked to take the matter further, with a view to bringing about a change in the position in the future. Mr MTCernan said that at the conference of delegates in Auckland he had brought forward a proposal that the British Empire Games authorities should bo approached for permission for M. R. Spillane and A. A. Cameron, reinstated athletes, to compete at the Empire Games, and a recommendation to this effect was carried. The New ZealandCouncil had decided in a contrary manner, however. When the Centenary Games were held in Melbourne, T. J. Crowe (an ex-professional) had been sent from Wellington. Mr Brydone moved that the other centres be approached with a view to obtaining their support in a move to have reinstated athletes permitted to compete at the Empire Games, and that it be pointed out that in not going further with the matter the council had gone against the decision of the conference. Mr Heaton seconded the motion. Mr Cameron said that little incentive was offered to ex-professionals to become reinstated if they were not permitted to compete outside of 'New Zealand. The motion was carried, and it was decided to forward a copy of the letter to the New Zealand Council. QUEENSLAND MEMORIAL SHIELD.

The Secretary of the Auckland Centre advised that the standard judges, Messrs F. M. Reid and J. Hogben, at the New Zealand championships, working apparently under pressure, made a considerable error in the points for the Queensland Memorial Shield (for most points in standards and records), crediting Otago with Auckland’s points and vie© versa. Actually Auckland scored 21 points (subject to one record being allowed),, while Otago was second with 14. REVERSAL OF PLACINGS. In reference to the Otago Centre’s protest concerning the reversal of the placings in the New Zealand 100yds championship, the manager of the Otago team (Mr B. R. MTCernan) said that he thought the centre might have waited for his report before making a protest to the council. He thought the Auckland Centre had been quite justified in reversing the placings. The only mistake it made was in not holding over the announcement of the result in the 100yds until the film of the finish was seen, the same as was done in the 220yds. . The Secretary of the New Zealand Council wrote stating that the Auckland Centre had written recommending that the council should consider purchasing an anemometer for use at all New Zealand championship meetings, and should consider asking all centres to use motion picture finishes at all New Zealand championship meetings. It was decided to advise centres that the council considered both of these desirable if the necessary apparatus were available. CROSS-COUNTRY TEAM. Mr M'Kornan brought forward a proposal that following the Edmond Cup steeplechase 12 men should he selected to run together on a Saturday afternoon, in preparation for the New Zealand cross-country championship at Timaru, and from this number the final team of six could be selected. The proposal was agreed to, and Mr MTCernan vyas appointed sole selector. TRANSFERS. N.’ H.. Griffin was granted a transfer from the Civil Service Club to the University Club. T. E. Dorman was, granted a transfer from St. Paul’s (Invercargill) to University. HAMMER THROWER’S PERFORMANCE.

Reference was made to the outstanding performances of M. R. Spillane over a period of years in hammer-throwing events, Mr Isaacs stating that he had won the New Zealand hammer-tlirowing championship on five successive occasions, and his performances had never been equalled by any other Australian or New Zealand hammer thrower. . It was decided to write to Mr Spillane, congratulating him on his performance of 160 ft lin at Waikari (Canterbury) at Easter, and on his fine,record in the New Zealand championship meeting. GENERAL. The secretary of the St. Patrick’s Club wrote advising that at the recent annual meeting of the club it was decided to disband owing to the lack of members and financial support. R J. Watson was granted permission to obtain an Otago representative blaster. Miss B. Forbes wrote expressing her thanks to the centre for so generously recognising her performance in the high jump. She appreciated very much the gesture of the centre in making her a presentation, but added that she got sufficient reward for her training if she were able to give a reasonably creditable performance when the opportunity was afforded her. It was decided to forward letters of appreciation to Messrs C. G. Gibbons and W J. Bennett for tile services they had rendered in connection with the

visit of the Japanese, Murakoso. to Dunedin. Congratulations on the success of the Otago team in winning the championship shield at Auckland were received from the Toko. Club and the Canterbury Centre. It was decided to record a minute of appreciation of the services given over a long period of years by Mr. T. P. Williamson as a timekeeper for the centre, and to express the hope that, though ho had given up business, he would continue to act as one of the centre’s officers. Mr Woods reported that the University Club would be staging the Lovelock trophy race on Julv 3, and permission was being sought from the Otago Rugby Union for the race to be held at Carisbrook. A recommendation from the Harrier Sub-committee that the centre’s marathon be hold on October 18 was carried. It was decided that the club s trials for the Edmond Cup be held on June 19 and the Edmond Cup on June 26. It was decided to send a letter of appreciation to Mr D. M. Stuart for the services lie had rendered at the centre’s sports meetings during the season.