ATHLETICS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 11400, 18 April 1899, Page 5

ATHLETICS.

At Friday's meeting of the council of the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association several matters arising out of the championship meeting held in Dunedin in February were considered.

A letter- was read from Mr Kingston, protesting against the imputation contained in the report of the association's representative at the championship meeting, that he ran on the grass in the 440 yds, which he would not submit to, and would not consent to be picked in the team for the Australasian meeting while such imputation remained; that if the association considered he competed unfairly or did anything unsportsmanlike, he would return his medal. Mr Grierson stated he had not intended to impute unfairness to Kingston, and it was resolved—" That the association, while riot approving of the tone of Mr Kingston's letter, are satisfied that he won his race fairly, and was forced on to the grass."

The Dunedin Club forwarded report of Mr Ross Jono of the judges) on the One-mile Walking Championship, which staled, amongst other things, that Wilson (Auckland) walked unfairly, and partly corroborated other judges. The letter stated that Mr Bain (one of the judges) refused, to furnish a report on the Three-mile Walk. Resolved — That Mr Ross be asked, through the Dunedin Club, if he, as stated by Wilson, of Auckland, told that competitor to go on for his place, and whether, had he known Wilson had been once cautioned, he would have warned him; also, that the Dunedin Club be written to expressing the association's surprise that one of their officials had refused to assist in the settlement of an important point, and asking the D.A.A.C. to again request the said official to furnish a report, ,

The secretary of the Dunedin A.A.O. wrote that Munroe and ; Wilson (Dunedin), wlio finished a.dead heat for second place in the Three-mile Walk at last championship meeting, had walked it off on February 24, and both were disqualified by the judges for unfair walking. Resolved—That the competition for second place in the Three-mile Walk be declared off, that the medal be returned to the association, and that the banner points be altered accordingly. A Wellington telegram1 states that tho racing track at the Halt having been altered before the last meeting:, the fast times registered at that gathoring created a suspicion that the distances were not correct. The club has had the course chained, with the result that the four, five, and six furlong and the mile distances are slightly over tho distance, anu the others correct. The exceptionally fast times are attributed to the splendid condition of the course at tho time. A Wellington telegram states that the protest against Fragment, winner of the President's Handicap at the trotting meeting, has been dismissed. The dividend is £39 2e At the annual meeting of the Southland Rugby Union, it was stated that there was a credit balance of £7. Tho carnival had netted £202. .The following were elected officebearers:— President. Mr Of. R, George; vicepresidents—Messrs A. F. Hawke, J.E Wat-' son, H. Royds, and A. Marten (Gore); General Committee:—Messrs C. Todd, J. Maiiron. X; Donaldson, I. Jenkins, F. Mussen, and A Morton: Match Committee — Messrs H lloyds, ,f. Manson, and R. Gnlbraith; Postponement Committee—General Committee: hon. secretary and treasurer—Mr R. Galbraith,; editor of'annual, Mr G. K. George; auditors—Messrs T. F. Smyth and A. Farquharson ; delegate to NiZ.R.'U.. Mr ,1. Wosney. The secretary was voted £10 10s in recognition of tho valuable services rendered by him in the interests, of Southland football. It was decided to record on tho minutes the union's appreciation of tho services rendered by Messrs NorthcoLe and Tapper, and regret at their departure from our mid/it, f