AMATEUR ATHLETICS

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 6872, 16 July 1909, Page 8

AMATEUR ATHLETICS

FINAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR OH A MPIONSJITP TEAM. MEETING OF THE A.A.A. COUNCIL. Tho final arrangements for representing New Zealand at tho Australasian championship meeting in ’■ Vis-bane next month were approver] at '.isn Now Zealand Amateur Alhlctits H valuation's Council meeting yoster,v. Mr W. F. Larkin prodded, ami Irssr.s A, Marryatt (acting-treasurer ;i ! secretary), E. L, ChalEoy, H. S. Robinson, J. F. Thompson, C. E. ‘’ridge, and W. H. Pollock were also present. Replies from tho various centres regarding tho expenses of the team which will represent New Zealand at the Australasian Amateur Athletic Championships indicated that the Canterbury Centro would raise funds l>y private subscriptions, and tin* Otago Centre hud voted its share of £ls, and wished 0. P. Keddell to be nominated for the high jump in addition to tho broad jump and hurdles. The Auckland Centre had insulin l cienb funds to meet the payment of £ls, but upon referring it to the Auckland Amateur Athletic Club, that body had agreed to donate the amount. No reply bad been received from Southland or Wellington, but Mr Larkin reported in regard to the latter that it would guarantee its share of tho team’s expenses. Atr 0. E. Bridge was unanimously apjwinted as manager of the team, and the council discussed the appointment of delegates to the A.A. Conference. but reserved its decision until Mr J. H. Pollock's intentions bad been ascertained. The* secretary of tho Otago Contro intimated that George McKnight was] being sent to tho championship meeting by tbo Dunedin Amateur Athletic Club, and it was decided to extend to him the privileges of tho team. The itinerary is as follows Leave Wellington August 6th ; arrive Sydney August 9th, picking up tho Auckland members of tho team ; leave Sydney for Brisbane August 13th; compete at the championship meeting August 18th to 31st; arrive Wellington from Australia September Ist. An application for affiliation from the Ashburton Harrier Club was granted. GROSS - 0 OTJNTRY CHAMPIONSHIP.

Regarding tho cross-country championship, tho Canterbury Centro intimated that tho council’s offer to hold it in that district had been accepted, and it would he carried out hy the South Canterbury Harriers. The date suggested for the event was September 2nd.

It was pointed out that this date would conflict with other long-distance races, a number of which wero held about that period!, and that it would give no opportunity to the representatives of New Zealand at the , Australasian championships, who returned an September Ist. The date was fixed for September 9th. . , , The acting-secretary reported tho receipt, through Dr Newman, of £l6 9s sd, being the Christchurch Council’s orodit balance. Tho statement of accounts showed a total amount of £47 2s lOd to the credit of tho council. Mr Marryatt, who had temporarily acted os secretary and treasurer, resigned his office, as tho council was in a position to appoint a permanent socreThe resignation was accepted, all the members present expressing their hearty appreciation of Mr Marryntt’s services. He hod done an immense amount of work at a most critical timo in tie council’s history, and Lad done it capably. A resolution embodying these expressions was placed on tho minutes. , , . .. Mr Marryatt, acknowledging tho resolution, said he had experienced a good deal of pleasure in doing the Work, because ho had found the delegates to ho workers'and not talkers. Mr W. G. Talbot was unanimously appointed as the permanent seoretarytoeasnrer of the council. "WELLINGTON CENTRE. A meeting of the Wellington Centre of the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association was held last evening, Mr STW. MoYiliy presiding. It was decided to vote £ls towards the cost of sending a New Zealand team to Brisbane to compete at the Australasian championship meeting there on August 18th and 21st. The secretary said the delegates oi three clubs had forfeited their seats on tho centre through non-attendance. —Mr Pollock said it was desirable that something should bo done to make clubs alive to their responsibilities. The management appeared at present to devolve upon a few conscientious delegates.—The secretary was instructed to ask tho clubs concerned to appoint delegates who would he attentive to their duties.—Tho chairman said the centre had made considerable progress of late years. They did not wish to cot book to tho state of things winch had existed in tho earlier days. The committee appointed to consider the question of a Marathon race recommended that the course should be Sum Kaitoke to tho Basin Reserve. The necessary permission bad been Ei tod by the local bodies in which various portions of tho route was ted.—lt was decided to approach tho Wellington Athletic Club to seo whether it would co-operate with the centre in promoting the race. The Committee was instructed to meet delegates from tho Wellington Amateur Athletic Club, discuss the question, and report to the centre. Mr B. B. Guiso suggested the advisability, in view of the present financial position of tho centre and the council, of co-operating with tho council in holding on art union and a sports meeting, the centre to take charge of tho meeting, tho council of tho art union.—Messrs Pollock and Guise were appointed to consider tho matter and report.