"UP AGAINST IT'

New Zealand Times, Volume LII, Issue 12315, 9 December 1925, Page 10

"UP AGAINST IT'

ATHLETICS IN HOROWHENUA AMERICANS WILL RUN AT NIGHT ’ ‘ “ ''Amateurism Is op ajfainst it along this coast, and unless the smaller clubs are fostered hy the larger bodies anything might happen," wrote the secretary of the Levin Amateur Athletic and Cycling Club in. a letter to the Wellington Centre N.Z.A.A.A., read at the meeting last evening. ... Levin asked that the club be allowed to hold the meeting at which the Amer'cans wonld compete,, at night Under electrio light, owing to" the luck of support previously a&coraed their afternoon meerlngs. The date for the Americans to run tliero is. February 10th. Financial difficulties prompted the Levin Clnb to ask' for time to pay the guarantee of A2» for tho American visit. After sounding the despairing note at the decline of amateurism the writer concluded: “With the inauguration of ovening meetings thereby encouraging the country teas and at the same time gaining the support of the public, together with a . visit from the American athletes, I feel sure that the sport w '• soon Sourish again.” A later message from Levin’ guaranteed the £25 this week. , It was reoorted that permission hod been granted the Levin Clnb by the .übcentre to hold the meeting at night. Pecuniary stringency was also claim--by the Wairarapa sub-centre, the secretary of which asked that, for the American visit, a day meeting be held on Saturday, February Cth. and an evening meeting on Wednesday. March 3rd midweek dav meetings always proving failures. It was asked that the Americans’ visit to Palmerston North (January 22nd) should bo cancelled so as not to clash with Masterton. The. guarantee of .£SO was considered too high, and Iho eub-centte offered £4O. Thei request was granted, the Palmerston North date being cancelled. It was decided, however, to ask for -the full £56 from Wairarapa. Endeavours will now be made to fit the Americana in at Porirua s on January 22nd. /