ATHLETES OF THE PAST

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12455, 25 May 1926, Page 9

ATHLETES OF THE PAST

NOTABLE GATHERING WELLINGTON CLUB’S REUNION « DAYS OF JACK HEMPTON On Saturday night the Wellington Amateur Athletic. Club held its lirst reunion. This club, which was formed in 1879, has had its trials and tribulations, but to-day it owes to its hard workers in the past its present flourishing state and its fine traditions. Mr A. C. Kitto presided when the gathering .sat down, but soon afterwards vacated the seat for Mr W. Larkin, an old athlete. In proposing the toast of “Our Old Members,’’ Mr Kitto welcomed old members who had laid the foundation of the club. It was, he said, a big honour for present members to have the old ones with them. It W'as intended to hold similar functions in the future in order to get the men of the past to take a real live interest in the club. They did not want them on the bank only. In reply, Mr W. H. Pollock said that when he was actively engaged in athletics he had with him such names as Goldie Bndge, Fame, Richardson, and Reed. At the beginning of the present century they passed through troublesome times, and at one period had only eight members, but they stuck together, and the numbers began to grow again. Soon afterwards they took on Mr A. C. Kitto, who was then a young runner, and never had there been a better man connected with the management of the club. Mr C. E. Bridge, who had been associated with the club for thirty years, also replied. In proposing the toast of the “Wellington Amateur Athletic Club,” Sir John Luke said that his memories of athletics took him back to the meetings on the Basin Reserve in the 70’s, when such men as Williams, Purdie, and Moran were on the track. The club to-day was stronger than ever it was, and its athletes were easily up to the standard of the men of old. He congratulated the club on its policy of getting hold of the boys aftdf* they left school. BUILDING UP CHARACTER Athletics not only developed the body, but built up the character. He was also pleased to see them looking after the girls. As long as the girls did not overdo it they derived great benefits from such exercise. He did not believe in girls indulging in such sports as boxing. In closing he mentioned the great worth of Mr Ted Guy, the club’s secretary. “I ought not to be here; I am a professional, and have never been reinstated,” said Mr T. S. Ronaldson, amidst laughter. His first appearance was in 1875 at Feilding. He had been a lOJsec man, but he said that Jack Hempton could run alongside of him and talk to him. He mentioned also the names of the Berrys, Lynch, Davey and Jack Batchelor, a hurdler. Mr W. Larkin said that the first meeting he had attended was in 1892, and he ran the 100 yards in 10 l-ssec. He had continued in active running until 1897, and mentioned that in that year the first sports meeting was held on Athletic Park. He had at that meeting been defeated by Arthur Williamson in the 220yds in 23sec. He had had most pleasant recollections of his active years, and had met during that time some of the finest men he had ever come in contact with. He congratulated the present club on its enterprise, and ■was quite sure it would go ahead as long as it was in tilt hands of men like those who are at present in charge. The toast of “The N.Z.A.A.A.” fell to the lot of Mr S. S. Dean, chairman of the management committee of the New Zealand Rugby Football Union. IHe said that athletics had been up ! against it on many occasions owing to financial difficulties, but the Wellington centre and the Wellington Club had stuck loyally to the parent body. Mainly as the result of the work of the Wellington centre and the Wellington Club had they been able to send Rose abroad. They were now on a good financial footing, and he hoped that the athletic clubs would see that New .Zealanders were adequately represented at the next Olympic Games. There was a tendency for the old members to speak of the good old days, but the times spoke for themselves. He commended athletics as one of the best trainings for the young men. Mr F. Wilton, a member of the council of the N.Z.A.A.A., said that a number of members of the Wellington Club had served on the governing body, and had served well. The club had also had a long list of New Zealand champions. Still, the champions were not the only ones to whom the club owed its success. The club, considering the members it had to draw upon and the scope it had, was one of the best in the world. Mr P. G. Thompson proposed tho toast of the “Press,” and Mr H. Ive Forde responded. The toast of "Our Champions” was in the hands of Mr M. Burnett, and Messrs 11. E. Wilson, T. Wilton, P. Munro, and A. J. Patrick replied. “Kindred Clubs and Sports” fell to Mr W. H. Bennett, and the responders were Messrs F. Wilton (swimming), A. W. 0. Travers (Athletic Club), A. E. Gorton. Mr E. G. Guy proposed the toast of “Our S’upnorters,” and Messrs A. T. Davies, T. Wilton, S. Parsons, and W. N. Mntheson. The musical programme was contributed by Messrs 11. E. Wilson, A Cotnparini, and Val. Jones. During the evening life membership badges -were presented Messrs C. E. Bridges and M. Burnett, while performarco trophies were presented to Messrs P. Munro, C. Flett, and Fleming,