ATHLETICS

Grey River Argus, 20 January 1940, Page 4

ATHLETICS

NO AUSTRALIAN VISIT.

[Per Press Association]

WELLINGTON, January 17.

The management committee of ti e New Zealand Amatepr Athletic Association last night decided to abandon the proposal to bring an AustraI lian team of athletes to the Dominion i this season as the New South Wales i athletes were not available in the first half Qf during which time the New South Wales championships are to be held. The New South Wales Association su£gdsted that New Zealand should delay the tour till after February 17, but centres in New Zealand from whom replies have been received, were not favourable . to this course on the ground that it would be difficult to arrange suitable meetings. A request from the Hawke’s Bav Poverty Bay centre for an extension of the 21 days period allowed by international rules for the tour by G. Stenner, Australian 120yds hurdles champion, was declined on the ground that, apart from other considerations, if would be likely to establish a dangerous precedent, especially as the number of provincial tours by overseas athletes showed signs of increasing. It was stated that Stenner had been given a permit by the Australian Amateur Athletic Union for a stay in New Zealand of not longer than 21 days. J. P. Bates, E. L. ’Parker, W. J Sommerville, and A.' Waters were reinstated as amateurs.