MOTUEKA

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXI, 18 November 1937, Page 10

MOTUEKA

AMATEUR ATHLETIC CLUB 'HIE ANNUAL MEETING MR 11. MANOY RE-ELECTED PRESIDENT 11-rum Onr Own Corrcaponilent] Mr 11. Manoy, President of the Motucka Amateur Athletic Club, at the annual meeting when commenting on the benefits which resulted from participation in athletic sports, made reference to the Physical Welfare and Recreation Bill. In the House of Representatives the Minister of Internal Affairs had, he said, affirmed that the movement was going to cost money but the amount that would be expended would be saved in the money that would not require to be spent on building hospitals. After apologising for the absence of Dr Green Mr Manoy expressed pleasurc at seeing so many young people present that evening, as it augured well for a successful season. Club officials had, he said, been battling for a long time, to get the young reople of the district interested in athletics. In recent years they had not succeeded too well, but it was very gratifying to have such enthusiastic support this year, at the commencement of the season. The report and balance sheet, the latter showing a substantial credit, were read and adopted. New members were elected as follows: Misses M. Sparks, P. Gray, V. Pearless. Stilwell and Messrs Russell York, Les. Smith, H. Burton, B. Harrigan, A. Thomas, J. Vickerman and D. Venz. Along with other sports bodies the club was, said the chairman, contributing towards the purchase of a motor mower for the Cricket ground, with the Borough Council as the controlling 1 body. They were fortunate in that the headmaster and staff of the Motueka school were keenly interested in athj letics and the club would have their : whole-hearted support. If the young ! people were enthusiastic and did their I part the club would h.elp to the best ! of its ability. ! Mr Manoy said he had been president of the club over a number of years and had done what he could for the club and for the young athletes of the district. He thought that the time had come for the old officers to retire, and ■ expressed the hope that those appointed to office would work in the interests of the club. ELECTION OF OFFICERS Officers for the ensuing year were elected as follows: —Patron, Mr K. J. Holyoake, M.P. (re-elected); presi- ' dent, Mr Harry Manoy (re-elected); ; vice-presidents, Dr Green and Messrs E. B. Stohr, R. Rowling and V. Evans. Mr Pocklington was re-elected secrej tary. Mr Russell York assistant secretary and Mr Webb treasurer. A tribute was paid to Mr Pocklington. Mr Dorric Leslie was appointed to j represent the club on the Wellington l centre. The committee was as follows: Messrs j Les. Smith. H. Burton, J. Boyle, E. j Goodman, C. W: Warner, W. Louis, T. | Simpson, I. McGlashen, B, Johnston, J. | Goodyer, C. Hawken, L. Coppins and Misses M. Goodman and P. Gray. INCENTIVE TO TRAIN Mr Evans said he would like to make a suggestion in regard to ways and means of creating a competitive spirit among the athletes. In this respect he alluded to the Combined School Sports and the Inter-House Sports, held recently. During the latter competition, !he said that he had never seen childI ren rise to such heights of keeness as ! on the occasions when points gained by the respective houses were announced from lime to time. He thought that if ; the athletes could be grouped into teams, there would be more incentive to train. Again if the club was | going to function as a club evening ' meetings should be held with say, one | distance event, one cycling and one field event. In this way interest would j be created and, with two teams, a series iof competitions could be run. Motueka i had, he considered, just as good ath- | letes as larger centres, but they rejquired practice, and, with the ground i in good order, evening meetings should I be held by way of encouragement. ! Mr Stohr said that all agreed with Mr j Evans, but he would like to add that, | when the club had first come into being i successful evening meetings had been i held. In later years..however, they had | not had the competitors, and there was : a time when the club had almost ceased lto function. An endeavour had then ; been made to get the school interested, but they had not received much support until last year, when Mr Evans had come to their ass'stance. EVENING MEETINGS During a lengthy discussion several members expressed their views on the holding of evening meetings and the i arranging of inter-club visis. Mr Manoy said he felt sure a Nelson team would come to Motueka if asked, but the local athletes must first get into training. In the past the Motueka club had sent athletes to compete in Wellington and in Marlborough, and a Motueka team had been the first to win the Mahar Cup. Mr Tarleton remarked that if local athletes showed keenness they wohld be sent to Nelson or farther afield and would, after trainmg, give good competition to other teams. Mr Evans added that the school would be prepared to make a big effort at Easter time. Among the pupils were 1 seme good athletes. To the clubs competitors his advice was train yourselves and be worthy of meeting other .j athletes. He would like to see a parade iof about 20 Motueka athletes at the 1938 Easter Sports meeting 1 Appreciation of Mr Tarleton’s ser- ! vices as treasurer was placed on record, j It was decided that the first evening meeting be held at the Cricket Ground on Thursday. 9th December at 6.30 p.m. It was also decided that a committee m?eting be held on Monday, 29th November. Mr Evans, who was appointed coach, offered to give a talk on the theory of the various races, at the High School, ion an evening to be arruiged later.