ATHLETICS Championships Described as 'Unconstitutional’

Greymouth Evening Star, 14 October 1948, Page 10

ATHLETICS Championships Described as 'Unconstitutional’

The fact that the West Coast championships had been referred to by the Canterbury .Association, as “unconstitutional” was reported!to the annual meeting of the Greymouth Amateur Athletic Club last evening. It : appeared, however, that the association was “winking its eye” at the position and a decision to hold the championships as usual was reached. The matter was brought up by Mr I. Steel, who said that as the-Grey-mouth body was only.a club it was not entitled to conduct a championship meeting. “It has been referred to by the Canterbury association as being unconstitutional,” he said, “but they seem to be ‘winking their eye’‘at it and it appears that we can continue to hold the meeting.’,’ . „ ■■■ He then moved that’ the championship be ope.n.to all registered New Zealand athletes, adding that since the inception of the meeting the standard on Greymouth had made a vast improvement. Amendment Lost An amendment to the effect that the - meeting should be open only to athletes under the jurisdiction of the Canterbury Athletic Association was put forward by Mr J. Perrin. On a show of hands, however, the amendment was lost and it was further decided that the championship meeting be conducted under the rules of the N.Z.A.A.A. A decision that the club hold an open field day at Victoria Park on November 6 and that the points competition commence on November 13 was carried. It was also decided that the points competition close on the Tuesday immediately prior to the St Patrick’s Day sports meeting. On the motion of the treasurer, Mr Steel, it was decided that regular Saturday meetings be held at Victoria Park and in the event of a postponement, Tuesday programmes be arranged. If the meeting had to be postponed on that day,, it could be held on the following Thursday.

Scratch Events Suggested -

Mr J. Perrin suggested that a scratch event for competitors in each grade be held each Saturday. He pointed out that the club now had a number of good sprinters and although the idea had been proposed each year it had been allowed to drop. The results of the. scratch events would not be computed in the points competition, he added. —The suggestion was forwarded to the programme committee as a recommendation. It was decided that evening meetings would commence at 6.30 p.m. , The question of a drive 'for new members was raised by Mr S. McDonnell, who suggested that a small sub-committee be set up to approach the primary and secondary schools in the district. In this connection it was reported that the Marist School intended holding a weekly sports meeting for the remainder of the present term and it was thought likely that several athletes would be available from there. It was left in the hands of the president and Mr McDonnell to approach the primary and secondary schools in this connection. . A trophy for the club’s junior high jump championship was received with, thanks. It was stated that the trophy was to be won for two years in succession before it could be won outright. Election of Officers The following officers were elected: Patrons, Messrs A. Grogan and T. P. Ryan (re-elected); president, Mr T. Blackie (re-elected); vice-presi-dents, Messrs E. Todd, Eder, W. M. Stewart, J. Bluett, Power, J. Perrin, L. Mills, A. M. Jamieson, J. Steel, A. McDougall, D. R. Dowell, J. Laing, N. Thompson, J. Hayton, Mrs Hornsby, Miss McGirr (all re-elected), Mr E. A. Brown and Bro. Maurice; secretary, Mr R. Fitzgerdld; assistant secretary, Mr B. Guerin; treasurer, Mr I. Steel (re-elected); club captains, Mr J. Fitzgerald (men), Mrs R. Nelson '(women); custodians, Messrs R. and J. Fitzgerald; delegates to Canterbury Centre, Messrs L. Skirton and E. Mayes; committee, president, secretary,' treasurer, club captains, Messrs V. Hahn, A. Blackie, S. McDonnell, Miss D. Perrin, Miss M. Malloy; handicappers, Mr A. Fong (track), Mr S. McDonnell (field); coaches, Messrs L. McDougall and C. McGuire (sprint), E. Johnston and J. Fitzgerald (distance), V. Hahn, J. Perrin and T. Harker (field); programme committee, Messrs Fong and McDonnell; postponement committee, president, secretary and Mr S. McDonnell. »

The following new members were nominated: — Misses V. Malloy, E. Avery, I. Minchin and C. McGuire; Messrs N. Smith, P. Hall, L. Kelly, S. Robertson, K. Higgins, C. Knapp and A. Mitchell. Arrangements were made for a working bee to be held at'Victoria Park on the morning of October 30.