CASH ATHLETICS

Hawera Star, Volume L, 16 January 1931, Page 6

CASH ATHLETICS

DOM INI ON CONFERENCE. ALTERATIONS TO RULES. The Now Zealand Athletic and Cycling Union's annual Dominion conference was held at Stratford, the chairman being Air. J. Collingwood (iAVanganui) .president of the -union. Delegates present were: Messrs J. T. Qual-te-r (Southland), J. D. Forbes, J. Newlands and R. B. Meek (Otago), H. 11. Fraser (South Canterbury), A\\ J. Walter and P. O. Lucas (North Canterbury), G. El.- Perkins- (West Coast), A. J. Fisher (Marlborough-Nelson), and J. A. Hansen (Manaia), S. George (New Plymouth) and T. Kirkwood. Members of Taranaki clubs were also present, but had no voting powers. “The year has been a trying one and it has ben found difficult for a number of clubs to carry on.” stated the president- in his; report. “The number of clubs affiliated lias fallen slightly but regjiJstrations; joif (competitors show an increase on the previous year. A pleasing feature is that we have been able to- collect £l7 7s of defaulters’ fee® on behalf of clubs.

“The matter of cycling control as discussed at the conference was taken up with the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association. Not being able to attend myself X asked the- secretary to arrange f-or our representatives, Messrs, Walter, Coffey, Lucas and Kennedy. These men met Messrs. Austad, Taylor, Beattie and Grose of the amateur body in conference at Christchurch, with the following result : (1) That the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association and the New Zealand Athletic, Cycling and Axemen’s Union set up a hoard of control to govern cycling in New' Zealand; (2) that both bodies make jointapplication on behalf -of the board for direct affiliation of the New Zealand Cycling Board of Control toi the Union Cycle Internationale ; (3) that headquarters of the Board of Control be in Christchurch; (4) that the actual administration of cash cycling and amateur cycling be left in the hands of lie bodies controlling it at present— Hie Now Zealand Athletic, Cycling and Axemen’s Union and the N.Z.A.A.A. respectively. “Since the conference the draft constitution has been approved by both bodies concerned, and the following members appointed—New Zealand Athletic, Cycling and Axemen’s Union, Messrs J. Kennedy (chairman), W. J. Walter, J. M .Coffey; N.Z.A.A.A., Messrs, U. H. Taylor and T. A. Cr-ose. The Northern Athletic Union, with wli-om we have an agreement, is supporting the Board of Control as against the New Zealand Union of Cyclists. “Our finances are quite healthy, the credit balance being £2Ol 3s; 3d. ’ All centres have furnished their returns. “It- is with regret X have to refer to the death of the veteran sportsman A. A. George. Nr. George was for many years associated with the Hawkes Bay Centre and a. vice-president of the union. “The union started the -year with a credit balance of £238 Os 4d. Kieceipts amounted to £ll9 13s 8d and expenditure to £236 10s 3d, leaving a creditbalance of £2Ol 3s 9d.”

The sea son ’.s return® showed the number of clubs- affiliated to be 149, the season’s registrations' 1019 and the day registrations 3152. CONSIDERATION OF REMITS. The Marlborough and Nelson centre submitted the following remits.- —Rule 74.: At tlie end of the rule add the following; words: “Any competitor wrongful I v obtaining any -prize money, or refusing to hand over to any club any prize or prizes wrongfully won by him, shall be disqualified for any tern) by any club- connected with same.” Rule 7, page. 17: Strike out the words “appointed and”, after the word “be” in the -first line. Add the following words- at the end of the- rule: “All handicaps must ho submitted to the sports body for approval and endorsed by them before being published.” Tne -president said the present rule and the- fact that the union was incorporated dispensed of the need for the remit. —-No action was taken. Tlie Taranaki Centre forward remits to amend the rules as; follows.— RJrle 17: “Cyclists when entering must -send in the last- 12 open performances, road or track; sweepstake races to be included, if not sufficient open performances. When nominating for a road race, road performances must be sent in; for track events, track performances must be sent in.” Chopping events : “Any competitor or attendant found interferring with officials -shall be disqualified for that event.’’.

Mr. Hansen .suggested that rule I) page ,'Uj, reading, “competitors must give performances in the last twelve races in which they have competed’’ be amended by adding the words “road or trac-k, and if there were not sufficient open performances, club sweepstakes to bo included.” This amendment was considered to meet the case and was carried in lieu of the original motion. The chopping remit was carried without discussion. An amendment to rule 45 relative to starting; was advocated bv the Otago Centre to the effect that the words “or whistle” be deleted. Mr. Forbes moved to this effect. It was considered that the whistle was not always heard and was apt to cause confusion in halting false starts. He thought it hotter to carry on with the gun in such cases.

The remit was carried. Mr. Lucas, moving a. remit on behalf of North Canterbury, said it was difficult at times to collect entry fees if competitors did not turn up. He said it was desired to amend rule 25 to lead as follows: “Where one fee only is charged and' the nomination and acceptance are not asked for, the club may handicap any entrant who does not forward his entrance fee. Such sports clubs shall have the right of recovering same and if the fee is not paid' the defaulter shall be placed on the defaulters.’ list.” The remit was carried. Mr. Meek said he wished to move a resolution, of whicli notice of motion, had been given, concerning an amendment passed last year to rule 45. This stated that there should be no penalty for a false start when there was. a second barrel. The mover pointed out how this could be abused and that as there was no penalty a man could keep oil beating the pistol in the hope