ATHLETIC NOTES

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXI, Issue 4407, 13 July 1901, Page 7 (Supplement)

ATHLETIC NOTES

(By “Advance.”) A meeting of the New Zealand Axelmen’s Association was heid at Eltham on Saturday last. Dir G. W. Taylor (President) occupied the chair. The President read the annual report of the Australian Axemen’s Association, showing the great progress made in this sport in Tasmania. It was decided to adopt the rules of the Australian Association, and to register under the Unclassified Societies’ Act, on the motion of Messrs Whiting and Wolfe. It was decided that the first carnival be held at Eltham on the 9th November next. A programme was then drawn un with prize money amounting to £36 ss. The programme includes a maiden chop, novice, handicap, underhand and champion chop, single and double hand-sawing, rip>-saw-ing and a butter-box competition. Messrs Taylor, Wolfe, Whiting, Hansen, and Hardy were appointed an executive committee, with power to add two to their number. “It was decided to subscribe to the “NorthWest Post,” the official organ of the Australian Association, ana votes of thanks were passed to the athletic editors of the ! ‘3few Zealand Times” and “Auckland News.”

Mr George Watson has been elected an honorary member of the Eight Hours Demonstration Sports. Tb e well-known athletic official will, no doubt, put in an appearance on the day, and assist as starter, at which business be has no superior in the colony. Unfortunately, Mr Watson’s services are not always available, but Wellington societies and clubs within a reasonable distance of Waikanae should make an effort to have Ris name on their official list. The Wellington Eight Hours Demonstration sports will be held at the Basin Reserve on Wednesday, October 10. The prize money amounts to £IOO. The handicaps of four distance (100, 220, 440, and »8Q yards) is worth £24. The mile race is worth £5, £2, and £l, and the hurdles £3, £1 10s, and , 10s. Other events are sack race, novelty race, £2, £l, and IQs, an obstacle race, £3 10s, £2, and £l. For members of the Amateur Club 100 yards and half-mile events have been put on. The public schoojs’ championship is also for amateurs, the distance being 220 yards. For members of the Empire City Athletic Club a 300 yards handicap has been included. The bicycle events are one-mile first-class, £6, £2 and £1; half-mile first-class, £5, £2, and £1; one mile and. a half secondclass, £4 10s, £2 and 10s; youths’race, -obstacle race, and spectators' race. Programmes can be had on application to Mr D. McKenzie, P. 0., box 402, Well lington. Mat. Roseingrave came down from the country during the week, and informs “Lynx” that he intends remaining in Auckland until after the Australasian championships, to be decided there about the end of December. Roseingrave, who is looking all the better for his spell in th© country, and now tips the scale at about list 101 b, is going into training in the hope of peering George Smith again. The annual meeting of delegates of the New Zealand Caledonian Societies’ Association will be held here on Wed nesday, August 21st. The Gaelic Society of Wellington has under consideration the question of reviving the Caledonian sports and games annually held here in former years. January 22n3 (Anniversary Day) would probably be found the most suitable dhte. Although it would clash with the Wanganui, Caledonian Society’s gathering, there are plenty of pipers, dancers, etc., who take part at the numerous gatherings on New Year’s Day for both places. The f.ate would also give them plenty of time to get to either meeting. New Seai-s Day, when the Druids will hold their annual gala, is more suited for a, sports meeting, because an attractive programme would bring the best competitors from the different parts of the colony to Feilding (Boxing Day) and Wellington. Th e following is a copy of the circular letter which Mr R. Smith (secretary of the New Zealand Caledonian Societies’ Association) has addressed t© all affiliated and non-affiliated clubs who have held a sports meeting this season :

Onslow Park. Pabiatua, July 1. 1901. Sir, —May I presume to remind your society that the annual general meeting of the New Zealand Association of Caledonian Societies will be held at Searl’s Hotel, Wellington, on Wednesday, 21st August, at 2.30 p.m.. when all affiliated societies and also societies who wish to affiliate ar e respectfully requested to be represented by delegate. And may_ I take this opportunity' to remind societies and clubs who have not affiliated that it is the earnest desire of the Assoation to form a strong body who will have control of th e competitions, rules, anal all other matters relating to professional athletics. Societies who have not affiliated will notice in reading the rules that the Association does not in any way inter* fere with the constitutional rules or finances of any society, provided the competition rules are strictly carried out. Professional athletes are the only class who have po nnion for the good government of their societies, therefore, the members of the N.Z.C-S.A. hope that all societies in the colony will affiliate at once in order to be represented at the annual general meeting, and I would respectfully request that ail societies will communicate with me at their earli* est convenience, giving the names of their delegates. The Conference will have under consideration the registration of societies and also competitions and the events that will have to he compulsory on the championship programme (notice of motion to that effect being given by B. Smith): and the consideration of which society in the South Island shall be give n this year’s championship. We therefore trust that the South Is* land Societies will muster strong, in order that a strong association of clubs and societies will be formed that will guide and keep pure the sports and pastimes that have made the British nation the leading power cm earth. The business before th® Conference will h®

the election o? President, vice-President, officials, etc., appointing where the champion meeting will he held in the South Island, considering notices of motion, and general. In conclusion, my instructions are from the Association t° respectfully invite every club and society in the colon}' to affiliate, and become one strong hody that could make themselves a power in the land.