DUNEDIN AMTEUR ATHLETIC CLUB.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 10589, 5 September 1896, Page 8

DUNEDIN AMTEUR ATHLETIC CLUB.

The annual report of the committee of the Dunedin Amateur Athletic Club for the year ended June 30 containsthe following clauses-:--

The cross-country run was held on September 28, 1895, over the usual course. Although the entries were fairly numerous the starters were not so many as in previous years, but the run was successfully carried out; and resulted in Mr J. T. Stone, of the North End Boating Club, winning the event for the second time in succession. A half-mile steeplechase was run in conjunctlon r and created keen competition, Mr H. B. Neill carrying off first honours. The clnb is indebted to Mrs Cutten, Messrs Taggart, Begg, Brooks, and the Tahuna Ground Company for permitting the run to take place over their properties. . The annual sports of the club were held on tbe 14th of December, having been held over from the previous Saturday on account of.bad weather. The attendance was only moderate,: and the plub sustained. a financial loss by the meeting; but from an athletic point of view the sports were a great'success, Urge fields facing: the starter; in every event. Messrs W. F. Bennett, A. .D. Mitchell, and P. S. K. Sfacassey were the most successful competitors, with two wins each. A hundred yards championship of Otago was added to the programme, and was carried off by Mr W. A. Low. At the conclusion of the sports the prizes were presented ta the successful competitors by Mrs James Allen, each winner receiving a great ovation on stepping forward. Your committee take this opportunity of thanking all these gentlemen who so kindly and ably assisted as officials at themeetirig.

The Annual, Championship meeting under tha N.Z.A A.A. was held at Christchurch on the 23th December 1895, and the following represented the club :—Messrs Low,. Bennett, Kingston, Macassey, and Maxwell. Mr Low managing the team, and Mr J. Houston going up in the capacity of trainer. The club has excellent reasons for being proud of its representatives, seeing that they secured no less that five firsts, two seconds, and two thirds, which were appropriated in the following manner: W. A. Low won the Quarter and Half-mile Championships for the third year in succession, gaining the standard in the former event: W. F. Bennett accounted for the One and Three Miles; W. W. Kingston secured first in the 250yds and third in the 100yds ; J. Maxwell finished second in both walks; and P. S. K. Macassey was'placed third in the Long Jump. The team thus'obtained second place in the Banner competition, being beaten by the Canterbury Club, who were able to put a much larger team in the field. Out.of nine starts the five men scored 38 points, and were never beaten out of a place. This, we think, constitutes a record in connection with championship athletic meetings, and must be very gratifying to the supporters of the club. The second Australasian Championship was held in Christchurch on January 2 and A, 1896, and Messrs W. A. Low, W. F. Bennett, and R. Martin, of tbis -club, were included in the team selected by the N.Z.A.A.A. to represent New Zealand. Mr Low won the Qaarter Mile in under standard time ; Mr Bennett was successful in the One-mile, also puttinrj up a New Zealand record for the distance; and Mr Martin won the hammer-throwing event. Your committee desire to thank Mr D. Duncan for his indefatigable services as honorary handicapper, and would recognise the general satisfaction he has given inthe performance of his unenviable task.

Messrs G. C. Matheson and N. L. Macbeth were tbe delegates to the N.Z.A.A.A., and the club's best thanks are due to these gentlemen for the trouble they have taken in attendingnum'erous meetings, and for the manner in which they have looked after the interests of the club. The club thanks the Dunedin and Otago Cycling Club and the Boy3' High School for including events on their programmes for members. The club is indebted to Mr 3. Sinclair Thomson and Dr Roberts for special donations; alao, to Mr W. L. Hooper for a trophy kindly presented to the club. During tbe year 16 committee meetings have been held and were attended as follows :—Messrs Low and Arndt 15, Ness 13, Duncan 12,. Harvey and Hutchison 11, Burk 7, and Prain 6. Your committes beg to express their regret at the lack of interest shown by members generally. The club certainly possesses some of the foremost avhletes in the colony, who are able to more than hold their own at any amateur gathering, and the apathy evinced by members is the only reason why the club is not strong financially. It is impossible, that any club can be carried on without the assistance and support of all tho3t belonging to it, and it is to be hoped tbat mbrinterest will be taken in tho club's doings during the forthcoming seasoa. The membership has increased during the year, but your committee have to again draw attention to the difficulty in obtaining-übscriptions.