NEW SPORTS SECRETARY

Evening Star, Issue 23094, 21 October 1938, Page 5

NEW SPORTS SECRETARY

GEORGE AUSTIN RETIRES RECORD OF ACCOMPLISHMENT [By Pistol.] A change in an important office was made at the annual meeting of the Otago Centre of the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association on Tuesday night, this being brought about bv the retirement as sports secretary of George Austin, the champion long-dis-tance runner. George has set a standard of sendee that will not be easy to live up to. During his terms of office he has made a complete success of an onerous position, one of the most important in the sport in Otago, and his meticulous attention to detail, his thorough organisation, and his at all times unbounded enthusiasm made him an excellent sports secretary. He desires now to devote more time to training for the New Zealand marathon championship, and while only too willing to assist his successor, felt' that ho could not. retain the position unless he could devote all his time to it.

The centre, therefore, is fortunate ’n being able to call upon such a capable man as Mr D. -M. Stuart to fill ih** vacancy. A son of the late Mr Donald Stuart! well-known Rugby administrator. “ Darg ” has had a long associa-, tion with amateur athletics as an athlete and official. He showed much ability as a field competitor, especially in the long jump, in which be reached championship class, and he has been 'one of the centre’s field judges for some time. He was also a senior (Rugby player, and brings to the position keenness and a good experience of administrative work. The delegates all expressed keen appreciation of the work of Mr C. W. Clark, and his re-election to the position of president was a foregone conclusion. Under his regime the centre has had a most successful year, and it has been his aim to encourage every branch of the sport. Considerable regret will be expressed hy all associated with the sport at the retirement as a vice-president of Mr Bob Thompson, this severing an association with the centre extending over a period of 20 years. He has been a hard-working, keen, and very capable official, and he will be much missed, though it is hoped he will still retain his interest in a sport for which be has done so much. His place on the list of vice-presi-dents has been taken by Mr C. K. Heaton, who has thoroughly earned the distinction, being treasurer of the centre for a period of years and doing good work in other directions. Mr Heaton is also the new field handicapper, Mr B. R. M'Kernan being reappointed track haudicapper. Other important executive officers were re-elected —Mr J. G. Barnes as secretary, Mr W. H. Masters as treasurer, and Mr J. L. W. Gerken as hairier secretary. All rendered outstanding service during the year, and Mr Barnes’s work in the chief executive position was outstanding. He is a very fine organiser, and his long and active association with the sport is invaluable in his secretarial work. Special mention was made at the annual meeting of the centre of the fine work done by Messrs C. G. Gibbons and A. A. Cameron in the coaching school and the centre is indeed fortunate in being able to call upon such outstanding men to carry on this valuable work.