ATHLETICS IN TARANAKI

Hawera Star, Volume LIV, 25 October 1934, Page 3

ATHLETICS IN TARANAKI

ANNUAL SUB-CENTRE REPORT

FINANCIAL POSITION SOUND LAST SEASON REVIEWED. One New Zealand title and 17 West Coast (N. 1.) honours came to the subcentre, states the report of the Taranaki sub-centre of the West Coast Centre of the Kcw Zealand Amateur Athletic Association, to be presented to the annual meeting at Stratford to-night. This feat again proved that Taranaki can still produce first-class athletes, the report continued. Owing to business reasons S. A. Lay had to refuse an offer to be included in the Yaw Zealand team for the Empire Games. The balance-sheet discloses a credit of £6 6s 4d after meeting all the season’s current expenses, paying outstanding accounts amounting to £lO Lis Bd, nomination fees for the Taranaki representatives in the West Coast championships (£3 4s), a donation of £lO towards the travelling expenses of the Taranaki representatives in the West Coast team for the New Zealand championships* a grant <of £1 15s to the harrier sub-tommittee.

CENTRE STATUS WANTED. Owing to the number of athletes in Taranaki and the fact that the province is naturally self-contained an effort was made to have the sub-centre within provincial boundaries recognised as a centre. Statistics obtained for the purpose showed that athletics were becoming more popular in the district, as the memberships of the seven clubs under the jurisdiction of the sub-centre are increasing, and because new bodies will be affiliating next season. , A deputation comprising Messrs. C. H. Choker, J. W. Hollows (New Plymouth), A. G. Whiting (Eltham) and P. Slioglund (Stratford) was chosen to represent the sub-centre and place the case before the New. Zealand council. Messrs. Croker and Hollows fully prepared the case and went to Wellington to present it to the council. Hie New Zealand Council replied, inter alia, that the time was not yet opportune, but should it be found at some later date that a readjustment of the centre territories was desirable and practicable the claims of the sub-centre would not be overlooked. The sub-centre championships were held at EUtham on January 27. and were very gratifying both, from the fields and the financial side. The meeting returned a not share of £6 15s lOd. Creditable performances were put up by the athletes. The executive records the efficient maimer in which the meeting was conducted by the Eltham club. The West Coast '(Nil.) championships were held at New Plymouth on February &, 1934. A disappointing feature was that the Manawatu subcentre was not represented. The sports were therefore a contest between the Wanganui and Tarannk' sub-centres. Taranaki won with 142 points and 17 titles, while Wanganui secured 51 points and 7 titles.

TITLE HOLDERS FOR 1933. Title-holders in Taranaki are: 220 yards, S. A. Black; 440 yards, S. A. Black; one mile, R. L. Knight; three miles, L. E. Garrett; 120 yards hurdles, L. A. Newall; 100 yards women, Aliss N. Clark; women’s relay, Taranaki; half-mile walk, C. W. Coleman; mile walk, S. C l . Coleman; shot putt, A. D. Adi am; high jump, W. Ireland; discus, A. D. Adlam; hammer, A. D. Adlam. broad jump. G. Sullivan; javelin, S. A. Lav; pole vault, G. Sullivan; three-mile cycle, M. Qharteris. The Taranaki women’s relay team (Alisses N. Clark, E. Reid, J. Moffett and D. Brown) equalled the centre record of 55 1-osec. for the 440 yards relay. The New Zealand championships were held at Wellington on February 17, 1934, and the sub-centre was represented in the West Coast team. S. Lay received a New Zealand title jy winning the javelin throw, and jt-her members oi the team from the sub-centre performed well. Athletics received a fillip by the dsit of the Australian athletes, Barwick, Afotcalfo and Hampson. Taranaki was included in the itinerary and the athletes made ail appearance at Eltham.

During the season a harriet subcommittee was set up for the control of the harrier clubs, and a report of their operations would be made later. In conclusion the executive places oft record its great appreciation of the work done bv all officials of clubs and their delegates and thanks the Stratford Borough Council for the use of ts room for meetings, and all those wjvo have in any way assisted in making the season -so successful.