AMATEUR ATHLETICS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXXIX, Issue 9992, 22 March 1893, Page 3

AMATEUR ATHLETICS.

THE NEW ZEALAND ASSOCIATION,

A meeting: of the Committee of the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association was held at the Clarendon Hotel yesterday evening; present—Mr J. F, Grierson, South Canterbury Amateur Athletic Club, in the chair, and Messrs N. L. Macbeth, Dunedin Amateur Athletic Club; T. D. Harman, Wellington Amateur Athletic Club; C. H. Croxton, W. Tonks, and .W. J. Moir, Auckland Amateur Athletic Club; James Moir, Kurow Amateur Athletic Club; J. M. Marshall, Wanganui Amateur Athletic Club; C. Hood Williams, Ashburton Amateur Athletic Club; D. Wood, J. C. Cusack, and P. A. Laurie, Canterbury Amateur Athletic Club; E. E. Webb, Oamaru Amateur Athletic Club; and L. A. Cuff, Hon Secretary. A letter was read from Mr B. Tringham, Hon Secretary of the Wellington Amateur Athletic Club, stating that there would be a balance of £9O over the Association’s championship meeting. The Committee of the Wellington Club would like the Association to consider the matter of giving gold medals to Messrs Gore and Meyrick, who tied for first place in the High Jump Championship. Ms Croxton moved —“ That the gold and silver medals be cut in half, and awarded to the two competitors.” Mr C. Hood-Williams seconded the motion, which, after a discussion, was declared carried.

A letter was read from Mr H. D. Bell, President of the Wellington Amateur Athletic Club, asking the Association to re-considor the case of J. E. Hume, with a view of removing his disqualification. Hume lost hia amateur status about six months ago on account of acting as captain of a tue-of-war contest for a money prize. Mr Williams moved—" That Mr Hume bo informed that the Association will consider at its next meeting an application for reinstatement,” MrToaks seconded the motion.

Mr Croxton moved as an amendment—- “ That Mr Bell’s letter be acknowledged, and that he be informed that the matter was very fully and carefully considered on a previous occasion, and that as no fresh evidence has been brought forward the Committee regrets its inability to re-open the question.” Mr Cuff seconded the amendment, which was carried by seven to five. Ayes— Messrs Croxton, Cuff, Marshall, Wood, Cusack, James Moir and N. L. Macbeth; noos—Messrs Williams, Tonka, W. J, Moir, Laurie and Harman. A telegram was road from Mr S. Cummings, Blenheim, asking for rules and regulations and necessary information with regard to forming an Amateur Athletic Club at Blenheim.

The Secretary stated that he had forwarded a copy of the Canterbury Amateur Athletic Club’s rules.

A letter was read from Mr P. J. Ness, Hou Sec. of the Dunedin Amateur Athletic Club, stating that Mr W. J. Burk intended making an attempt to lower the threemile New Zealand record before finally retiring from the running path. The letter asked whether Burk would be allowed to have the assistance of pacemakers. % Mr Cuff moved—“ That no record be considered by this Association unless the same has been made in a competition at (1) a properly constituted amateur meeting or amateur race; at‘mixed* meetings held under New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association rules for which permission has been granted; (2) or in special events run under the Association’s rules, and which have been duly advertised as under New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association’s rules, and are run under the control of the local Club. That no pace-makers be allowed. That the above resolution does not interfere with the present rule in regard to records, which must be strictly adhered to.”

Mr Webb seconded the motion, which was carried.

The Secretary of the Auckland Amateur Athletic and Cycling Club wrote, stating that at a meeting of the Committee of the Club, hold on Fob. 3, the following resolutions wore carried“ 1. That, in the interests of affiliated Clubs and amateur athletic sports generally, it is absolutely necessary that the Association should strictly adhere to Eule 8. 2, That when application is made to the Association to hold amateur races, in accordance with Rule 8, such application should be supported and accompanied by the written consent of the Committee of the affiliated Club or Clubs in the district where the meeting is proposed to be held. 3. That as this Club is eubject to the dual control of the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association and New Zealand Cycling Association, the above resolution is considered as referring equally to both, 4. Thau as the New Zealand Cycling Association has recently ignored the wishes of this Club by granting permission to the cycle members to run at a meeting whilst the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association, after courteously soliciting the opinion of the Committee, refused permission to the athletes to compete at the same meeting, this Committee considered such divided authority mimical to the best interest of sport, and recommends the Association to arrange with the Alliance to have one controlling power on this particular question. 5. That the Club’s delegates be requested to submit the above recommendation to the Association and Alliance with as little delay as possible.” Mr Croxton gave an account of au interview he had with the Auckland Club on the subject during the time he was in Auckland. Ho found that betting was carried on to a very great extent, and several of the members of the Club ran according to their trainers’ instructions, and very often " in and out" running was the result!

A long discussion folio wed, and eventually Mr Tonks moved—“ That this Association is willing to work with the Cyclists’ Alliance in reference to granting permission for amateur events at ‘mixed’ meetings. That the Secretary write to the Auckland and North Shore Clubs asking them to jointly submit names to enable the Association to appoint a local officer for the Auckland district.”

Mr Williams seconded the motion, which waa carried unanimously. Mr Cuff moved—" That this Association wishes to place on reoord its appreciation o£ the very successful manner in which the Wellington Amateur Athletic Club managed the late championship meeting, and to thank the Club for its efforts ; to heartily congratulate it and the officers of the meeting, and ita Hon Secretary, Mr Tringham, and thankß the Wellington Club for the hospitality it extended to the comnetitora at the meeting." Mr Macbeth seconded the motion, whioh waa carried unanimously. A hearty vote of thanks was passed to Mr J. F. Grieraon for his services to the Association at the late championship meeting. The following records were passed:—T. O'Connor, putting the weight 38ft 9in, at Auckland; O. H'Cormack, putting the weight 39 It 4in, at Palmerston North j J. Taiaroa, long jump, 20ft llsin, at Timaru. The following reinstatements were granted: Arthur K. Taylor (Akaroa), Horace Bailey (Wanganui), John Hay and James S. Bain (Dunedin), James Stewart (Helensvilie), C. Cj Burk (Ponsonby), Charles B. Lovell and C. Dixon (Kirwee), G. Hill (Kurow), D. C. M'Beath (Kirwee), J. D. Thomson (Nelson), J. A. Harris (Waikato), H. S. Bailey (Wanganui). B. E. Owen and R. A. Cameron (Wellington) were ordered to apply again in six months. E. P. Everston (Marion) was recommended to apply again in six months from Feb. 8. An application from W. G. Morrison (Blenheim) was held over for further information. On the motion of Mr Cusack, a hearty vote of thanks was passed to Mr Croxton for the able manner in which he had attended to the interests of the Association during his visit to Auckland. A vote of thanks to theChairmanclosed. Jhejneeting."'' ' ,;;'