GOOD YEAR

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 56, Issue 32904, 3 September 1947, Page 7

GOOD YEAR

PAEROA ATHLETIC CLUB SEVENTH ANNUAL REPORT REVIEW OF THE PAST YEAR The following report will 'be presented by the president, Mr A. C. Boulton, at the annual meeting of the Paeroa Amateur Athletic and Cycling Club, to be held in the Paeroa Rotary Club rooms on Monday night:— Your Committee pleasure in presenting the Seventh Annual Report and Balance Sheet. We feel sure that the activities of the past year can be looked back on with great satisfaction at the progress of the Club and the success of the various functions held. The first Wednesday evening sports took place on October 23, 1946, and a tabloid sports meeting was held on the afternoon of Saturday, November 2. The season closed with an informal sports evening on Wednesday, April 9, 1947. Functions Waikato Championships: The Club was entrusted with part of the Championships, viz. Junior and Women’s Track, Senior Field Events, and Junior and Senior Cycling Events. This was the first championship meeting under the altered constitution of Waikato from a sub-centre to a centre. The meeting took place on February 1 and proved very successful despite numerous counter-attractions. Paeroa Club Open Meeting: This took place on March 8 and proved quite enjoyable and successful. All arrangements went smoothly and the high standard enjoyed by the Club was maintained. A near-by gathering however affected our gate takings. Children’s Party: The usual children’s party and visit from Father Christmas eventuated on December 12, and was thoroughly enjoyed by our young members and other children present. American Athletes’ Visit: This took place on January 27 and created great interest. Their performance was disappointing to the public but your committee did all they could under the prevailirig circumstances. Children’s Visit to Otahuhu: Due to the efforts of Messrs Wrigley arid Pett and their helpers a team of children journeyed to Otahuhu to compete for the Lupis Memorial Trophy. A very creditable showing was made and the team created a very favourable impression. Our thanks to all concerned Presentation of Club Trophies and Championship Certificates: A function for the children took place on May 27 at the Regent Theatre. Medals and certificates were presented during a picture matinee arranged by the. kind co-operation of Mr H. Wheeler. On June 19 a dance was held at the Civic Hall when the Senior, Junior and Women’s Awards were presented. The evening proved very successful and enjoyable in spite of the inclement weather. During the year cups were donated to the Club to, the memory of Alfred Cridge and Don Sanderson—the donors being the families of the late •members of the Club. It is hoped that a suitable Club Memorial Trophy will be arranged to perpetuate the memory of all Club Members who made the supreme sacrifice. Membership : u Senior athletes 27, junior 19, women 'B, cyclists 11, children 320. This represents an increase in all sections and it is anticipated that further increases will be shown' during the coming season. A full set of field events gear has been secured and this section should be very popular. Finance: The Club’s finances are in a sound position. The field events equipment mentioned was purchased from the fund created last year as a result of the art union held. Track: Messrs Cam Millar, Norman Neil and T. Tomich and their assistants devoted a great deal of time to improving and maintaining the track and their work is worthy of our appreciation. Mr Neil also did a very good job as custodian of the Club’s equipment. Our thanks are due to the Borough Council for their help. It is hoped that the football field as moved this season will lessen the work in pre paring the track for the season ahead. Congratulations: Our congratulations are extended to the winners in all grades and our best wishes go to the unsuccessful ones for the ensuing season. To our Club Members who represented the Waikato Centre at the New Zealand Championships (Messrs R. McKenzie, D. Gordon and A. Jeffrie:', v/c extend our congratulations.

Thanks: Under this heading we wish to extend our sincere thanks for all help, great and small, including donors of trophies, for donations and concessions on trophies purchased, to all those who have assisted on Wednesday evenings, at championship and open meetings, to those who offered billets for visiting competitors, we are grateful to you all. Thanks also to the St. John Ambulance members for their regular attendance and the Paeroa Municipal Band and the Boy Scouts for their help. We are indebted to the Hauraki Plains Gazette for space made available throughout the season for the publication of handicaps and results and other publicity.

Secretary’s Work: The, grateful thanks of all club members are extended to our Secretary, Mr G. Miller, who has once again put in a tremendous amount of work in the club’s interests. The thoroughness with which all records and minutes are filed away and the high standard the Club enjoys in its associations with other clubs speaks for itself as a tribute to the businesslike efficiency with which Mr Miller handles our affairs.

Our thanks also to Mr W. Keutenius, Assistant Secretary, who has greatly assisted Mr Miller in his work.

In conclusion my personal thanks are extended to the Committee for their strenuous efforts during the season. There may be many changes at the Annual Meeting but whatever the result it should be the duty of us all to endeavour to improve the club’s membership and financial strength during the period when athletics and cycling are booming. I thank you for the honour of serving as President and know you will accord my successor the same generous support given me.