AMATEUR ATHLETICS

New Zealand Times, Volume LI, Issue 12022, 27 December 1924, Page 14

AMATEUR ATHLETICS

(BY

“DECATHLON”)

(Special to the “N.Z. Times.”) COMING EVENTS January I—Paraparaumu A.A.C., Paraparaumu; \Vairarapa Caledonian Society, Masterton. January 2—Levin A.A.C., Levin. January 17—Athletic Club’s walking race, . Lower Hutt to Wellington; Dewar Shield meeting, Petone (proposed). January 22—Masterton A.A.C., Masterton; Porirua A.A.C., Porirua. February 13 and 14—N.Z. championships, Auckland. Owing to the abominable weather experienced last week, the Dewar Shield meeting, which had already been postponed from the previous Saturday, had again to be deferred. It is now proposed to hold the meeting at Petone on January 17th. The Athletic Club’s walk, which was originally to have been held on January 10th, is also set down for decision on the 17th. A suggestion has been made that the walk wjll be held in conjunction with the Petone meeting, starting from Wellington and gnishing up with a round of the Petone Oval. I have not had an expression of opinion from any of the officials of the Athletic Club, but I hope they will fall in with the suggestion. The walk will be the biggest of its kind ever attempted in New Zealand, and should result in a great stimulus to this branch of the sport. The club Has been presented with a handsome challenge cup, to he held by the winner for one year, so th" event promises to become an annua! one. Good entries have been received by the Paraparaumu Club for their annua' sports on New Year’s Day. This meefl ing has always been looked upon b -■ local athletes as the best outing of th - year. Competitors and their friends ol ■ ways received the best of consideration from the officials, whose conduct of th" meeting is second to none in New Zealand. The competitors include Dufresne, Hunter, D. Todd-, Campbell, Melrose, and Dunbar. Wellington competitors will leave TKorndon at 9.10 a.m. Several competitors of both sexes intend going on to Levin for that club’s meeting on January 2nd. The cycling events, which will be held on on asphalt track, will again be a feature of the meeting. LADIES’ EVENTS. From whom do the members on the New Zealand Council take their instructions? Th* centres wbd send them there or the British Medical Association? At the conference of delegates held in Dunedin at the time of the New Zealand championships in February, a remit to the council asked that a ladies’ 100 yards championship be added to the 1 jst of New Zealand ahamphmsliipe. The council referred the matter to the 8.M.A., who decided that competitive running was harmful to women. The B.M.A. have in turn condemned hockey, tennis, and swimming, yet we have thousands of women taking part in these strenuous exercises. The race does Rot seem to be deteriorating. Perhaps the council will he good enough to ask the B.M.A. what kind of exercise girls should take.

For some lenson known only to themselves, the council referred the matter back to the centres, who emphatically insisted that their instructions be carried out. Some of the members of the council are tfbt sufficiently endowed with grey matter to enable them to appreciate the position. If the wishes of the centres are to be disregarded in this matter, then steps wil have to be taken to see that in future men who have the interest of amateur athletics at heart are elected as delegates. One delegate intimated that he wou'd resign sooner thaii support the inclusion of a ladies’ event. If he is in earnest there should he a vacancy on the council soon.

When a person accepts nomination for the council he should be prepared to attend tho meetings. One delegate has not attended one meeting the council ' this season. His business is such that he is absent from Wellington a good deal, and if this tate of affair is likely to continue, he should do the right thing _ by the Wellington centre and hand in his resignation. Another urgent question which has apparently been shelved is that regarding reinstatements. Wliat are the council’s intentions in the matter? This policy of “wait and see” is typical of the manner in which the business of the council is transacted. If seme of the “sleeping” members were suddenly to take an interest in amateur athletics more businesslike methods might be infused into the conduct of council meetings. Tho writer knows several gentlemen who have been approached by various centres and asked to.represent them on the council, but owing to the lackadaisical methods adopted they have declined nomination. “Slip” Carr passed through Welling ton on Tuesday, homeward bound, after a strenuous tour of the Continent. He is looking very fit and brown, and is , talking of retiring. He cannot sneak too highly of Arthur Porritt, with whom he travelled a good d"tl in Europe. Mr A. T. Davies welcom'd the champion On behalf of the New Zealand Association and Mr C. W. Palmer ran “Slip” round tho city and districts by car. STRAY JOTTINGS. The Paraparaumu Club has decided to. provide a miniature cup to go with the points cup competed for on New Year’s Day. j What lias happened to F. Wliiddon, I who showed promise at the first evenj ing meeting ? I “Slip” Carr says that ladies’ events are the coming thing the world over. kAre you listening, Artie? Some runners evidently cannot read •plain English. A programme indicates that entries close on tho 29th, yet ws have them coming along on the 24tb, an expect to be accepted!