ATHLETICS

Greymouth Evening Star, 16 October 1939, Page 9

ATHLETICS

WEST COAST CENTRE The thirty-third annual meeting of the West Coast Centre of the New Zealand Athletic Cycling and Axemen’s Union was held at Greymouth on Saturday. Mr. G. E. Perkins presiding over an attendance of the following delegates: Messrs. F. Williams and F. Slater (Brunnerton), A. Peebles and W. E. Clarke (Ross), J. Donaldson (Ngahere), G. B. Fiveash (Lake Brunner), J. Reedy (Kumara), H. Dimond (Cycle Club), A. T. Ridsdale and W. Champion (Westport), J. I. Mcllroy (St. Patricks), J. Flaherty (Wataroa). W. Maloney, B. F. Connors (Blackball). J. R. Taylor and W. Sharplin (Hokitika), and J. Tennent. Sharplin (Hokitika), and J. Tennent (treasurer). A vote of condolence was passed to Mr. J. Tennant and Mr. J. Deere, in their recent bereavements. The annual report, as previously published in the “Star,” and the balance sheet, were adopted. The Hari Hari Club wrote thanking Ihe President for the trouble he had taken over their protest case, and stating that it was the unanimous wish of their club that he should act as ! their delegate to the meeting, as it ) was too far away to send one of their own members. The Karoro Sports Club wrote apologising for not being' represented at the meeting, as Mr. W. Coumbe was out of town. The Wataroa Club wrote appointing Mr. J. Flaherty as their representative at the meeting if it was in or-

der, as they were too far away. The president said that this was quite in order under the rules. The Weheka Club wrote stating that they intended holding a meeting this year and asked for May 11 as the date. Mr. J. Wylde, Ikamatua, applied for the same date as last year, and stated the club would hold a meeting, if other clubs decided to carry on. The secretary, Hokitika Centennial Week Celebrations, wrote asking that March 2 be allotted to the Hokitika Sports Club, which had been asked to hold the meeting in connection with their celebrations. The Holland Memorial Sports Club, Westport, wrote suggesting a change of date for their annual sports. The Nelson Creek Club wrote applying for an earlier date this year. The applications were held ovei’ until fixing dates for the season. The Grey Cycling Club wrote enclosing their balance sheet which showed a credit of £54/12/- and also applying for the 25-mile road cycling New Zealand championship again.. It was decided to make the application through the head body to the New Zealand Cycling Federation, and to attempt to get this event allotted, not only for this season, but as a permanent fixture.

A letter of enquiry about a competitor, Austin Benwin, supposed to have competed about 1932 or 1933 on the West Coast, also in the North Island, failed to bring any result. The secretary promised to look back his old files to see if he could place the name. The enquiries are being made for someone in America. EXHIBITION MEETING The’ chairman reported on the suggested programme he had sent forward to the New Zealand Union, for the proposed championship meeting in Wellington, in connection with the Exhibition, and it was generally approved with the suggestion that the prize monies in both handicap chops should be increased to at least £lOO first prize, and also that no title greater than a New Zealand Championship should be allowed to any event. The suggested title of a World’s Championship was considered out of the question. A representative of the Pipers’ and Dancers’ Association, Mr. Roper, attended and explained the Association’s position in regard to advising clubs who put dancing events on their programmes. After some discussion it was resolved that the Piping and Dancing Association be _ requested to submit to the various clubs a suitable programme of Highland events.

It was ersolved that, in future, all axemens’ handicaps be made with the limit men on three seconds. This would, it was stated, give all competitors a similar fair chance in the starting, as on the previous custom the limit men on the word go ;were at a disadvantage. It was also decided to send the suggestion to the New Zealand Union.

A lengthy discussion took place regarding clubs still taking late entries; also letting competitors draw for logs when their nominations and acceptances had not been paid. It was decided to bring under the notice of clubs who continued to break the rules in this respect that in future years the granting to them of a permit would have to be seriously considered. A letter from the Blackball Club regarding a competitor at their meeting having drawn a log and refused to pay the fees for the event was dealt with, and it was decided that when Blackball notified the amount due, the secretary place A. Wybrow on the forfeit list. The election of officers resulted:— President: Mr. J. Flaherty; vice-pre-sidents: Messrs. W. H. Coumbe, J. R. Taylor and F. Williams; committee: Messrs. J. Donaldson, J. Reedy, J. I. Mcllroy, V. Messenger, A. T. Risdale, W. Moloney and F. Slator; treasurer: Mr. J. Tennent; secretary, Mr. G. R. Perkins.

Mr. Perkins was appointed as the country delegate to the next New Zealand Conference, and it was further decided that, in the event of no North Island Centre wishing to accept the presidency of the Union that this centre nominate Mr. J. M. Coffey, of Christchurch, vice-president of the New Zeaalnd Cycling Federation. The president said that, in regard to dates, there would be some difficulties this season, as Easter came so early.

The following dates were allotted: December 29. Mokihinui; January 13, Westport; January 20. Blackball: January 27, vacant; February 3, Ngahere; February 10, Karoro; February 17, Greymouth Show; February 24, Ikamatua; March 2, Hokitika (Centennial); March 9, Brunner; March--16, St. Patrick’s (Greymouth): March 23. Lake Brunner; March 27. Kumara; April (i. vacant; April 13. Wataroa; April 20 and 27, vacant; May 4, Waiho; May 11, Weheka; May IS. Ross: May 25, Hari Hari. It was decided to allow Nelson Creek to select any of the vacant dates, viz., January 27. April 6, 20 or 27.