ATHLETICS “TRIFLING” WITH FOOD SCHEME IS VIEW OF GREY CLUB

Greymouth Evening Star, 16 October 1947, Page 5

ATHLETICS “TRIFLING” WITH FOOD SCHEME IS VIEW OF GREY CLUB

The opinion that the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Centre _ was “trifling” with a plan to organise a scheme to provide extra rations for British athletes training for participation in the Olympic Games next year, was expressed by members of the executive of the Greymouth Amateur Athletic Club last evening. The club was the proposer of the establishment of such a scheme. K . The Canterbury Centre advised that it was proposed to set a target of £5OO for the Dominion, and this sum would enable parcels to be sent monthly. If every club gave £l, the target would, be easily reached. The Canterbury Centi-e added that it considered a donation of £1 to be ridiculously lbw. and thought that clubs could do much better. It was stated that each parcel would contain the name of the club or individual giving it so as to establish links between English and New Zealand athletes. Il was pointed out that under the scheme of the New Zealand Centre, all the food would be bought and packed in the centres, to the. detriment of local merchants. After some discussion, it was decided to participate in the scheme, but to propose that it be extended if possible by clubs contributing a maximum amount, and it was recommended to the Canterbury Centre that clubs be asked to adopt another athletic club in England. The Greymouth Club decided to write to Dr J. E Lovelock, in England, and ask for names and addresses of British athletes in training for the Olympic Games. Mahar Cup Events Letters were received from the Marlborough Club on the Mahar Cup programme. The club protested against the programme being of such dimensions as to exclude lesser clubs having any chance of approaching success, and suggested that the programme for 1948 be that set out in the 1933 rules, with certain minor additions. In a further letter, the club protested against a conference of clubs being held at Murchison to discuss the matter, claiming that it was a waste of time, petrol, and tyres to ask 'delegates to travel hundreds of miles to go over business that had already been transacted satisfactorily. Dissatisfaction at the position was expressed by members, but, pending an explanation by the Mahar Cup secretary for the late cancellation of the conference, it was decided to withhold action. It was decided to write to the secretary of the Mahar Cup competition, Mr Douthett, of Westport, asking the result of his interview with Mr Mahar in connection with the proposal to alter the basis of the competition to follow that prevailing in Seddon Shield Rugby—inter-provmcial instead of inter-club. It was decided to seek a conference with the Hokitika Club on matters of’ •mutual interest, including the Mahar Cup competition. Boot Shield The South Canterbury Club advised that the V. P. Boot Memorial Shield, which was won by West Coast last season, would be defended by the club at Greymouth. It was decided to arrange for a photograph to be taken of the club, together with the Hokitika members of the teams which last season won the Boot Shield, the Mahar Cup, and the Newman Shield.' The following club officials were appointed: —Starter, Mr I. Steel; marksmen, Messrs N. Hopkins and P. Conaghan: timekeepers, Messrs J. Steel, N. Thomson, A. McDougall, and H. Kennedy; track judges, Messrs T. Blackie, G. Eder, E. Brown, and A. Agnew; field judges, Messrs R, Cochrane, J. Silvester, W. S. Brettell, J. Hayton, N. Senior J. Perrin, sen.; announcers, Messrs S McDonnell and C. Dixon; referee Mr E. M. Todd; surveyor, Mr J. J. Wood, honorary surgeon, Dr H. S. Ray; records clerks, Messrs L. P. Mills and J. Nelson; social committee, Messrs B. and R Steel, B. Guerin, V. Hahn, J. and K Perrin H. Hill, and all women members.’*• Miss D. Perrin was appointed convener.