CIVIL SERVICE HARRIERS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13861, 26 March 1907, Page 3

CIVIL SERVICE HARRIERS.

The fourth annual mceiing cf tho Civil Service Harrier and Amateur Athletic Club was held in. the Post Office Buildings last evening. Mr A. Clothier (president of the club) presided, and thero was a fair attendance of members. Several apologies for absence wore received.

The Chairman, in moving the adoption of tho annual report and balance sheet, expressed pleasure at tho general success of the club during tho past year. In -the first instance, tho runs held during the season had been of a most successful nature. The several associated runs that had been held with kindred clubs had proved most enjoyable, and had tended in a large measure, to further promote the good fellowship that already existed amongst members of the different clubs. A very satisfactory feature of the report was the mention of the fact that in no instance during tie holding of their runs had any complaint been made by property-owners of damage to fences or injury to stock. There wore, of course, the one or two inevitable growls, bnt they had been of a goodnatured kind. Clubs generally had respected the property of tlioso farmers across whose land they traversed in the course of their runs, and he could say from an acquantance with the owners that the damage to both glowing crops and to young stock had . been reduced to an absolute minimum. That must be considered as highly satisfactory, and he hoped it would 1 continue so. They had omitted to mention in the report that Mr G. P. Keddotl had established the long jump record for New Zealand. They had reason to bs proud of that, If it was intended to make the civil service championship gathering an annual affair the time for holding it -would have to bo arranged for some otiher time than Christmas. The railways and Post Office were then working at their highest pressure, and it was consequently impossible for all competing men to get the necessary leave. He would suggest to the incoming executive that the civil service championship meetings should be arranged for n date when the work w<is not so pressing as it was at Christmas, There was great satisfaction in knowing that a new Civil Ccrvice Club had been formed in Christchurch, also one in Wellington, while tile formation of a club iu Auckland was hoped for in the immedinto future. Outside of the civil service a live amateur club had been formed at Milton, and the lines of tho programme laid down for, it by Mr Marryatt had been very closely followed. He hoped that Invcrcargill would also take steps to form a club. The speaker referred to the death of M'r Gray, Secretary of the Post and Telegraph Departments, and said that from iui acquantaiiceship with him extending over 23 years he could speak of hini as a man who was always keen for-his work, for the welfare of his staff, and for the honour and credit of the department over which he held control. By his death the State hadj lost a valuable servant, and sport a good friend. The chairman also referred to the absence of Mr Dall, who, by his removal to Wellington, would do much, he was sure, towards, promoting intercourse and fellowship between the civil service clubs throughout the colony, They were glad to welcome back Mr R. B. Reynolds, 111 regard to the balance sheet, the club would start the year free of debt and with something over £8 in hand.

Mr A. Marryalit seconded ilie motion, anil complimented the secretary (Mr E, Or, Anderson) on his comprehensive report and the treasurer (Mr \\ T . Willett) 011 his succinict balance sheet. T'he chief features of the report were the references to the formation of similar clubs in Christclmrch and Wellington and he holding of ho civil service championship mealing for iihe first time. It was to be regretted that the ch\b could not manage io hold the open 10 miles cross country championship. Ho thought llicir club could do well by cutting down expenditure in the Vf»y of club events and encouraging more members to go out into open competition and win their medals there. The (act that they had devoted a good deal of money in the advancing of amateurism in general was responsible for their not having moro money in hand than they did liavo. The motion 011 being put to tho meeting was carried unanimously.

Tho following office-bearers were elected for the ensuing year:—President, Mr A. Clothier (re-clected); vice-presidents—Messrs 1). Barron, A. Marryatt, J. Faulks, B. J. J'iniwgnn, ami ,T. Carson; captain, J. G. Stephens; deputy-captain, R! B. Reynolds; handicappcr and starter. 11. G. Anderson; timekeepers—L. Anderson., J. M. Xicolson. and G. J. C. Smart; auditors-\V. Willett and J Melviilo; committee—H. Mackintosh, \V. T. Parala, H. Tilchcner, A. Melville, A. Campbell. J. G. Goodmanson, and A. Freucli; hon. secretary Mid treasurer, G. W. Brown; delegates on Otago Centre N.Z.A.A.A.—L. Anderson arid 11. Mackintosh. On tho suggestion of the Chairman, it was decided as follows:—'"That' tho president, secretary, and M:r Marryatt be asked to confer with tho heads of the various departments of tho civil service as to the most convenient- darte for holding the championship ii'eetings." It was decided that the secretary be requested to forward a letter to the' Wellington Club conveying the regret and sympathy of the Dunedin Club with it in the death of Mr Gray, its president. Votes of thanks to the Dunedin Amateur Athletic Club for allowing.the Civil Service Cmb to hold events at their evening sports meetings, to the retiring , office-bearers, to the press, and' to the chairman for presiding concluded the meeting.