ATHLETICS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15685, 12 August 1914, Page 4

ATHLETICS.

UNDER UNION RULES.

NOTES AND COMMENTS.

The attention of cash athletes is drawn W* {!* ha J t a T? p ß c, ?l .meeting will "be' held.in the Trades Hall, Hobson Street, this evening at seven o'clock, to deal with mat- « tens concerning the newly-formed Northern Athletic Union.

A meeting of competitors will be held this evening in regard to the election of a member on the Northern Athletic Union Executive. In the past the rules did not ■provide for this, but last week's meeting decided to give competitors direct repre- ?? a ni°'V Messrs. Gilfedder, president; Uall-Skolton, vice-president; and Woodley secretary, have been appointed to represent the union.

At a meeting of the Te Aroha Sports Committee held recently a vote of confidence in the. new executive of the Northern Athletic Union was passed unanimously. The first programme announced for the season is that of the Labour Day sports, and it does credit to those responsible for it Copies may be obtained at the union office, H.M. Arcade, or will bo forwarded to registered competitors. To show the increasing popularity of these sports it may be mentioned that at last week's general meeting a letter was read by the chairman from a competitor near Whangarei, asking for a dozen copies of the programme for distribution. The , arrangement of items shows practical knowledge on the part of the committee, of which Mr. J. Elliott is secretary. Mr. J. N. I. McKay, secretary of the Caledonian Society. Waipu, who' was in town for last week's meeting, states his willingness to act its a handicapper for North Auckland clubs. Mr. McKay has so officiated at Waipu for the past 15 years, and now handicaps for Waikiekie. Mr. P. A. Walker, secretary Te Aroha sports, and a member of the Union Executive, is nbt letting the grass grow under hii feet. A deputation .being organised by him which will wait on the Mayor of T« Aroha in the course of a. few days, in regard to suitable grounds for sports. Iho next New Year gathering at Te Aroha promises to be the biggest of its kirld toi the day in the North Island; in fact, its Sheffield last January was the largest New Year's Day handicap in New Zealand. The Northern Athletic Union has received all official communication from His Worship the Mayor, Mr. C. J. Parr, acknowledging his gratitude for the resolution passed at last week's general meeting of the union. Among the messages received by tho new excutive, congratulating tho Auckland clubs on their decision to govern themselves, are those from Mr. McKenzio Forbes, Cambridge, lato president Wanganui Caledonian Society, and the Mayor of Dargaville. Several competitors living south or Taumarunui have forwarded a joint letter asking the Northern Athletic Union to take them under its jurisdiction. Formerly, the union did not take in clubs or competitors as far down as Taumarunui, but may do so now. Evidently the new executive is expected to begin with a clean sheet. A Taranalti competitor has already applied]to h»vo his disqualification removed, and in support of this he mentions that a contingent of competitors around his* district intend competing throughout Auckland Province this season. He says. " prizes are good, want to be with the crowd." The Tc Aroha Fire Brigade Sports Club intend spending £50 on the cycling track, and the Government is being asked to subsidise this amount. At the request of the Agricultural Show Committee, Messrs. Gilfedder and Woodley, representing the Northern Athletic Union, attended a meeting yesterday to discuss tho holding of sports in connection with the Agricultural Show, to be held in November. The union officials wore asked to submit a draft programmo as soon M possible.