SPLIT THREATENED

Manawatu Standard, Volume L, Issue 115, 11 April 1930, Page 7

SPLIT THREATENED

dispute in athletic circles. CLASH OF SPORTS DATES. A serious split is said to be threatened in the ranks of amateur athletes under the jurisdiction of the Manawatu oub-oentre. Owing to the clashing of dates of sports meetings, the four clubs across tho ranges, Woodville, Papatawa, Ruahine and Kumeroa, are stated to be considering secession, either to link up with the Hawke’s Bay Sub-centre or to turn professional. A permit was issued by tho suboentre to Orouiv Downs for a meeting on the same date as that of the Woodville Club and a permit was issued to the Caledonian Society to hold a meeting on the same date as that of the Papatawa Club. The culminating point was reached when it was decided- to hold the country clubs’ championships in Palmerston North on the same date as tho Kumeroa Club’s meeting. It is contended that had the championships been held at Levin the fixture would not have clashed with tho Kumeroa sports. It is also contended that the championships should have been offered to Kumeroa. The question was ventilated at the monthly meeting of the Manawatu Sub-centre last evening by Mr E. J. Harding, the Papatawa Club’s delegate. The secretary (Mr C. L Turnbull') outlined tho circumstances leading i.p to the decision to hold the meeting in Palmerston North. The Wellington Centre had been so dilatory that the Levin Club, who had applied for the meeting, had to forego the championships. Time had been short and it had been decided to give the meeting to Manawatu. . Tho dieputyichairmian, Mr A. K. Drew, of Sandon, moved that tho action of the secretary and chairman in this matter be confirmed.

This was seconded by Mr Hamer. “This is the finish as far as the clubs over the ranges .are concerned, ’ said Mr Harding, of Papatawa. “Is it a coincidence that three of the clubs’ sports over there should have clashed with meetings here, when we had the prior claim:'” There was a big difference between Levin and Palmerston North. Kumeroa had a prior claim to Easter Saturday and the clash was annoying. Tho first that they had known across the range was when they had received the previous night’s mail. The least that could have been done was to have considered -Kumeroa which could have been asked to put on the country clubs’ championships. Why, he asked, was the meeting of the sub-centre not held on the regular day, i.e., the previous Thursday. Kumeroa was “fed up’ - and so were the other clubs across the range. _ They were considering either applying for a transfer to the Hawke’s Bay Sub-centre or turning professional. Last year the Levin Club had been prevented from holding a sports meeting on Easter Saturday because that was the Kumeroa Club’s dato. This year they had brought the meeting 40 miles closer. Mr Turnbull stated that he was sorry to hear Mr Harding’s remarks. He had been concerned with athletics for 25 years and had always done his best for the sport as a whole. Mr Harding wa3 taking a harsh view.' This year meetings had unavoidably clashed, but the situation was exceptional and unavoidable. He and the president, Mr Aisher, had been at their wits’ end to know what to do for the best. They had had a big responsibility and had tried to do their best for all clubs. The centre had “played round” and Manawatu did not want to lose the meeting. The postponement of the meeting of the sub-centre had been a pure oversight. He had no ill-feel-ing for the clubs across the range. In fact, he and'the president had both appreciated tho clubs’ action in resisting Hawke’s Bay’s efforts to get them to secede from Manawatu. The chairman commented that there had unfortunately been a great deal of confusion of dates this year. Mr M. Strange considered that the time had been too short for any other arrangements to have been made. If that course had not been taken, the championships would have fallen through. Mr Harding: Was there any reason why Kumeroa should not have been asked to control the meeting? Mr Turnbull: Could Kumeroa have run it P Mr Harding: That is beside the point; they should have been asked. Mr Hamer thought that under the circumstances lie would have done the same os the secretary. The chairman sympathised with Mr Harding, who, however, was not altogether right in his' inference that the clash had been intentional. Under the circumstances the Secretary and president could riot have done much more. Mr Jackson considered that the Wellington .Centro was to blame. Mr Harding still considered that the championships could easily have been held on the other side of the range. A biggor gate would be obtained at Kumeroa. “Didn’t you think that Kumeroa could hold, the meeting?” he added; Mr Turnbull: I did not consider that they could. Mr Harding: That’s what hurts. The chairman’s motion was carried. Mr Harding then moved that the secretary write to the Kumeroa Club explaining the position. “It’s just possible that you’ll hold them,” he stated-. “.Personally, I don’t think you will.” Mr Hamer seconded the motion which was carried.