AMATEUR ATHLETICS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 15064, 10 February 1911, Page 6

AMATEUR ATHLETICS

OTAGO CENTRK.

The monthly meeting of tho OUigo Centre of the Amateur Athletic Association was held in Mr Hamann's oflico last night. The president (Mr K. A. Uosevuar) was in the chair. Mr A. Mclvillo acted as secretary in the absonoo of Mr List, who was at the Volunteer manoeuvres at Harnpden.

cohhesi'okdence,

The Dunediir A.A. Club wrote suggestthat the team to represent Otago at the championship meeting be selected from the psrtormartces shown at tho annual mooting of that club.

Mr Sanderson moved, and Mr Owens seconded—" That this eentro regrets that it cannot see its way to fall iit with the club's suggestion that the ohompionship team be picked on form shown at the D.A.A. Club's annual meeting, as it is possible that' some runners might bo unable to oompcte at such meeting, and thereby bo ineligible to represent the province at the championship."--Carried. The Secretary of the D.A.A. Club wrote asking that an investigation be made into tho running of A. Foster during tho present season, as the club was not satisfied with the efforts made by that runner.—Mr Barclay moved, and Mr A. 0. Smith seconded—" That this contro express its willingness to hold an inquiry into the running of tho member complained- of, provided tho Dunedin A.A. Ulub forward a. ehargc on the matter and adding com© facts in support."—Curried. Tho Secretary of tho Dunedin A.A. Club notified that its annual sports would bo hold on the 18th kist, arid asking by whoso authority the teams published as competitors appeared as representing the Dunedin A.A. Club.—Mr Mnzongarb moved, and Mr Renwick seconded—" That the Dunedin A.A. Club ha informed that tho team was entered oir the programme as representing the Dunedin A.A. Club under a misapprehension."—Carried.

The Secretary of tho Duncdjn A.A. Club notified that he had been instructed by his committee to ask that a full report of all business transacted at tho centre meetings should bo forwarded to tho ohib as early as po-Bible after each mooting, so that the club could kocp in touch with all matters ilealt with.—Several members thought that the press had given , very satisfactory reports of tho meetings, and to comply with the request would involve too much work for the centre's secretary. , • _ The .Secretary of tho N.Z.A.A. Association, Wellington, wrote stating that in view of the probability of the 1912 Australasmn champion meeting being held in New Zealand, it was desired that each ccirtre should, forward full and accurate information as to grounds available and accommodation on same, transport facilities to grounds, and other matters.—lt was agreed that a committee be set lip to prelxiTo tlic information desired. The Secretary of the Civil Service Harrors wrote that the question of Mr Rudkins appointment as delegate had ken settled satisfactorily, and Messrs A. Melvillo and J. G. Stephens had been appointed delegates to tho centre vice L. Anderson and W. Willctt (resigned). Tho Secretary of tho N Z.A.A. Association, Wellington, wrote notifying that the final draft of new rules would be forwarded, showing that suggestions sent from centres had not been ' ignored.—Received.

Tho Secretary of the Canterbury Centre notified that the championship meeting hod been postponed from March 4 to March 15, as there was a popular trotting meeting on t.hc former date., ' The conference of centres would bo held at 9.30 a.m. on the 18th. Tho names of delegates were asked for, together with suggestions. —Bweivcd, and. suggestions to bo forwarded.

DELEGATES OBJECTED TO.

Tho Hon. tSecretary of the Dunodin A. A. aub wrote re the appointment of Messrs W. Bonwick and A. R. Barclay to represent the centre.—Tho committee instructed tha secretary to write that it did not consider those ropriMontatives competent to carry out their duties, and asked that in future delegates should be appointed who had lad eomo cxperienco in athletics.

Mr Barclay said ho thought the letter was_ not written in a very gentlemanly spirit. He explained that in bis younger days_ho had taken part in athletic competitions, and nrobably know more about athletic rules than, many people supposed. Ho had always taken a keen interest in such matters, although he might not have taken a very prominent part in them of late years.

Mr Diwre referred fn Mr Barclay's long connection with athletics, and paid ho did not know why encli n. letter had boon sent. Mr R-enwiVk had been an old runner, nml had loig boon connected with sport. Ho wa* disposed to move that the letter bo sent, bock to tho club.

: Mr Ronwick. referring to his connection with sport, said that he had been requested to act as starter at the Labour sports moetinir, and'had been a nmner for 15 years, for some time as a professional. Ho had applied for reinstatement «e an amateur afterwards, and that application Ikkl 'been (ranted. He had al?o oompetod for the Kdmond Cup p.s a member of tho New Zealand I-Tirriers.

Mr L. f/\'idoreon said lie thouirht the lettw had boon sent without fhe committee ha«ip<r takon the trouble to ascertain the position of the ilolejrntps selected. The k>Ue<' was probably written on the spiF of l))o moment.

Aft?r further _ discussion that was so nearly approaching a. personal character tlwt tho chairman intervened,

Mr }Ciw>n<rarb moved, and Mr Divers seconded—" Tl).at this centre take. l ; exception to the improper character of the letter relating to the. appointment of delofat-'s to attend thn Dunodin" A.A, dub the delegates anpointod beniq; pH* , !. , / satisfactory to tho centre each tieletjato having been connected with pporfc as competitors and otherwise for 30 and 15 years respectively."

Tho motion was carried, with only ono dieecnticnt.

THE CHAMriOKSHIP MKETIKG.

Tho following were selected to train for the final selection for the championship mooting:—Sprints: Keys, Egjrleston, Mitchell, M'Doujjall, Stephens, Roid. Distance: H. Burk, Boatson, M'Knight, Thomson. Ffeld events: D. A. MTarlano, J. F. H. M'Carthy, R. F. Mitchell, F. Reid J. M'LaChlan, A. S. Reid. Walking: Morrison, Bruton.

It was resolved to hold a special meeting of the centre on March 2, Mi- M'Donald to then hand in the names of competitors to represent Otago at the championship meeting. It was also decided that the Finance Committee bo requested to make a canvass for subscriptions to provide funde to pay the expenses of the championship meeting. GENERAL. It was resolved that the Resorves Committee of the City Council be asked to allow its superintendent to undertake tho upkeep of the north end running: track. Mr Renwick pointed out that the North End Boating Club contemplated holding an evening meeting on ithc north cr.>:l ground shortly. If tho centre could see its way to hold such a meeting in connection with the club it would give encouragement to :i:oetings in that locality.—lt was resolved to act on the. suggestion if satisfactory arrangements could be made. Application for reinstatement was favourably considered from Hogarth (Tapanui), provided the implication was signed by a JJ?. An application from W. Micbclson (Puralcanui) was held over for inquiries. Mr A. Melville moved-" That the Duncdin Harriers bo written to that, as Rule 15 was rescinded at a. meeting of the Otago Centre on Octobsr 21, 1909. tho runners taking part in the Port Road Race were eligible to compete."—Seconded by Mr L. Sanderson, and carried.

The following lootil officers were appointed :--T. A. M'Kcnzie (Tapanui), B. 0. iE?oro (Lawrenos),' E. Mooro (Milton), Gibson (Oainam). The appointments to* I'almcrston South and Balclutha, were held Tlic meeting then adjourned till March 2.