Amateur Athletic Club Discusses Plans For Season

Greymouth Evening Star, 3 October 1950, Page 7

Amateur Athletic Club Discusses Plans For Season

A discussion on the type of athletic track to be incorporated in Greymouth’s proposed war memorial sports centre, took place at the annual meeting last evening of the Greymouth Amateur Athletic Club. Mr S. McDonnell suggested that the club’s delegates to Thursday’s meeting to discuss the war memorial scheme, should be given some direction as to the type of track required. The president, Mr T. Blackie, said the course would be five laps to ths mile, which was stated to be the best that could be done. Messrs Blackie, J. Nelson, and E. Myer were appointed delegates to represent the club at the meeting. It was decided to procure club blazers, and members were asked to submit suggestions and designs for a monogram.

Mr Blackie said he was pleased to hear that an interest was being taken in athletics in Runanga. He was not sure whether a club was to be formed in that area, but several youths had signified their intention- of entering the competitions. Drive For New Members In an endeavour to induce more pupils to take an active interest in competitive athletics it was decided to canvass local district schools, Messrs V. Hahn and S. McDonnell will visit the Marist School, T. Blackie and I. Steel the Greymouth Technical High Schools, and Miss J. Rathbun will address pupils at the Convent School.

Mr J. Dick, suggested that relay races be held earlier on the programme. It was decided to make a recommendation accordingly •to the programme committee. It was decided to convey the club’s appreciation to the Progress League for representations made to appropriate channels including the Prime Minister, in an endeavour to obtain a visit to the West Coast by overseas athletes who visited New Zealand for the Empire Games. The question of compiling records was discussed. It was stated that in connection with the Marist School and Rugby Union jubilee, difficulty had been experienced in ascertaining the names and feats of record holders.

Two club members, Messrs A. Fong and J. Forrest were congratulated on attaining the highest honours in their respective sporting spheres during the year. It was decided that the season be opened with a field day on October 28 and that competitions commence the following Saturday. Meeting days will be similar to those of last season with competitions on Saturdays, but, if the day be unfavourabe the competitions will be transferred to the following Tuesday or Thursday. Subscriptions were fixed at seniors, 7s 6d; women ss; and school pupils 2s.

The following new members were elected: Miss J. Knox, Messrs C. McBride, Raymond, Fitzgerald, H. Mason and D. Inwood.

The annual report and balance sheet were adopted. The club began the year with £3B 3s 5d and concluded with £5B. Mr Blackie recalled the time when the club’s finances totalled 5s 2d. Secretary Retires

It was decided to accord the retiring secretary, Mr Rex Fitzgerald a vote of thanks for his services to the club.

The following officers were elected for the ensuing season: —Patrons: Messrs A. Grogan and T. P. Ryan; President: Mr T. Blackie; vice presidents: Messrs S. McDonnell and B. Myer (active) and 17 honorary; treasurer, Mr I. Steel; secretary: Miss J. Rathbun; club captains, men: Mr J. Fitzgerald; women: Miss S. Myer; delegates to Canterbury Association: Messrs L. W. Mills, J. Harbut, J. Brown; committee, Messrs T. Harker, T. Cameron, V. Hahn, A. Blackie, J. Nelson, P. Guerin, Rex Fitzgerald, B. Guerin; Misses M. Avery and P. Douglas; handicappers: track: Mr A. Fong; field, Mr S. McDonnell; coaches: sprint, Messrs B. Myer, and A. Fong; distances: Messrs T. Harker, B. Steel, E. Johnson; field, Messrs T. Harker, G. Bilborough, V. Hahn; programme committee: Messrs A. Fong, S. McDonnell; custodians, Messrs Rex, Raymond and Jack Fitzgerald.