THE AMATEUR.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 22 October 1924, Page 7

THE AMATEUR.

INCONSISTENT CODES. MOTOR CYCLIST AN “ATHLETE.” An instance of the puzzling inconsistencies of amateur codes was brought before the annual meeting of the Hawera Amateur Swimming Club last night, when it was found that an' excellent swimmer and sport, in the person of Mr W. J.. Claringbold, was apparently net even eligible for election as an officer of the club owing to his being a competitor at the motor-cycle race meetings. The chairman of the meeting (Mr W. A. Spragg) said that some time ago the club had written to the New Zealand Amateur Swimming Association for a ruling, and the reply had been to the effect that on no account could .Mr Claringbold compete in amateur swimming sports. There is no doubt about it.” said the chairman, “the ruling is absolutely absurd. Perhaps noiv that w*e have .a. centre in Taranaki we rnav get a different ruling.” Mr Claringbold, who. said Vie did.not wish to take the risk of placing tin: club in a dangerous'position bv accepting office, said that the New' Zealand Sw'immine Association’s ruling was that anv person who competed in an athletic snort for pecuniary gain was a professional. “Apparently,” said Mr “they class motor-cycling as an athletic sport.”