ATHLETICS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 14819, 24 October 1911, Page 4

ATHLETICS.

AUCKLAND AMATEUR CENTRE.

The annual meeting of the Auckland centre. New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association will lie held on Wednesday ' evening-. The report. states that during the "year the Auckland Harriers' Club became defunct, but it- is a pleasure to advise that the Hamilton Club became firmly established, and is now affiliated with the Auckland centre, and the Pioneer Harriers will pr> hably affiliate at the annual meeting. It is also pleasing to note th.'it both Gisborne and Rotorua are likely to form clubs in the near future. The annual, conference of centres was he'd in Christchurch on March 18, 1911, Auckland being represented by .Messrs. Denvs Hoare (who acted as chairman) and F. L. .Murray. The New Zealand championships wero held in Christchurch on March 18, the centre being represented by G. N. Hill, J. R. Simpson, and J. C. Whitney. G. N. Hill won the mile in 4m. 25 4-ss. and the three miles in 14m.' 53'2-55.. while J. E. Simpson won his heat in the lOOyds in 10 l-ss. J. C. Whitney ran third in the 440 yds championship, while all three- were successful in securing standard caps and badges, which the: council have not yet forwarded. The Australasian championships will take place in Wellington on December 26 and 27, and, in accordance with instructions from the council, it will be necessary for the centre to nominate probable men for inclusion in the Dominion team. The Auckland crosscountry championship was decided on August 5, G. X. Hill being successful. The New Zealand five miles crosscountry championship was allocated to the Auckland centre and was successfiillylcontrolled by the executive. The race was held fin August 12, teams from Otago, Wellington. and Auckland competing. G. X. Hill finished first and J. Beatson (Otago) second. G. N. Hill won the individual championship and the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association's gold medal. while Otago secured the teams' championship and badges, and were successful also in winning all three trophies for the sealed handicap. The special thanks of the centre are due to the Auckland Rugby Union , for assistance and a donation of £5, also to Mr. Francis Hull, who went to a great deal of trouble to collect the trophies for the sealed handicap. As a result of the race, a strong harrier club has been formed in Auckland, and further clubs are in process of formation. The Auckland Club held two carnivals during the season, and it is satisfactory to note increased interest, by both competitors "and the general public. It is confidently expected that a further revival will take place during the coming season. The centre is indebted to the representatives to the council (Messrs. J. F. Thompson and C. E. Bridge) for their attention to all matters in connection with the positions held by them. The thanks of the centre are also due. to Mr. P. B. Fraser (hon. auditor) and Mr. H. .1. Fielder (handicapper and starter). The balance-sheet shows a credit of £5 9s 9d on the year's working, but, against this there is an amount of £39 2s 7d owing to the, Auckland Amateur Athletic and Cycling Club. The total receipts, including cash in hand, amounted to £19 9« 9d, against which the expenditure amounted to £14 10s: The New Zealand crosscountry championship meeting resulted in a profit of £1 Os 6d.