Sports Performances

Greymouth Evening Star, 31 July 1947, Page 8

Sports Performances

[TO TUB KOITOiI.j

Sir, —I was rather disappointed on reading the account of the Council of Sport meeting held last week that the president, Mr F. Williams, when congratulating West Coast sportsmen on their performances during the past season and making particular reference to the amateur athletic, Rugby, and Rugby League sports, did not see fit to include the exceptional performances given by some of the local cyclists in the 1946 WaimateChristchurch and the Taranaki Round-the-Mountain road races. Maguigan’s win and Clark’s third place in the 135-mile Waimate race were considered outstanding performances, especially in view of the fact that they were 12 minutes behind the leaders with about 25 miles to go. Carr in second place, and Maguigan in third place and with third fastest time, were prominent in the 100-mile mountain race, a race which was run under adverse weather conditions, the strong wind, rain and hail making it too tough for a large proportion of the starters to complete the distance. Mr Williams should have been aware of the above-mentioned results, as they were publicised over most of the country, and he is, in any case, the president of the West Coast Centre of the N.Z.A.C. and A. -Union, the body which governs cash cycling, chopping « and athletics. —Yours, etc., EX-CYCLIST. Greymouth, July 29.

The above letter was referred to Mr M. R. Bunt, secretary of the Council of Sport, who made the following explanation:—“Your correspondent is in error in assuming, merely because it is not included in a brief newspaper report, that Mr F. Williams omitted to mention the achievements of local cyclists. The fact is that Mr Williams did refer particularly to the fine performances mentioned by ‘Ex-Cyclist.’ In the absence of newspaper reporters at the meeting, I took what notes I was able, but, of course, had other duties

to perform, and it was not possible for me to gice my entire attention to reporting the remarks either of the president, Mr Williams, or of other speakers. From these rough notes, assisted by an obviously imperfect memory, I compiled on the following day a report of the meeting, which I made available to the press. The omission is, therefore, mine—one which I regret exceedingly, and am glad to have this opportunity of rectifying.”—Editor, Evening Star.