AMATEUR ATHLETICS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16288, 22 January 1915, Page 10

AMATEUR ATHLETICS

MEETING OF OTAGO CENTRE. 'J'ho montlil.y meeting of the Obago Centre of tho New Zealand Ama tour Athletic Assooiati(>n was field last evening, the president (.Mr E. A. Rosevcar) in the chair. 'J here was a large attendance of delegutoK. Mr 11. S. Williamtt (Christ-church) wrote notifying- that a sullicient sum Lad now been raised U> enablo u. suitable hosidstone to be erected over tho grave of tho well-known deceased runner W. j}\ .Simpson.—Received. IVrmiKoion was granted to the Otago Young Men's Bible Ckias to ruu a sports meeting at the Methodist Young Men's iiible claw eanip, to Iw held at Dunedin during Easter.

Mr il. Swinney presented a written reixirt covering tho amuteur events at the Windsor Athletic Society's sports, held on December 28, at which a number of Dunedin runners had competed.— I Tlio report was received, and Mr lijwinney thanked for his full report. Mr Roscvcar made a verbal rei»rt covering tile amateur events at tho Otago Caledonian Society's sports on New Year's Day. Speaking of the performance of a schoolboy, Holmes, ho stated that Mr Phillips, of the High School, intended to draw up a list of the mimes of tlx? boys attenduig tho school who would be jireparod to compete in youths' laces which might bo put on by the centre at any of their sports meetings. The handicap put- on the eclioolboys by having to compete against men would thus bo removed.

Tho chairman and Mr Doull were appointed a sulhcommitee to wait on the directors of the Caledonian Society to ascertain if tho society would bo willing to construct a "pit" on its ground, and thus ataist in the development of pole-vaulting- and high and long jumping. It was dec.ded to hold the Otago championship meeting on February 13, and to request the Dunedin Amateur Athletio Club to carry forward its evening meeting from February 12 to February 19. The Chairman stated that Auckland had decided not to take over tho conduct of the New Zealand championship mooting this year. He remarked that the Auckland body ft ad asked the New Zealand Association for an expression of opinion whether the championship should be held this year at all. Since Auckland had refused the fixture it had boon decided by the governing council that it should be offered to Canterbury.— Mr Breen said that a number of present championship holders were now at the "front," and he hardly thought it would be fair for some of the championships to bo secured by what ho might call medium class runners, in the absence of the holders. He moved—"That the Otago Centre is of opinion that the championships should not me held this year."—Mr Saunderson seconded.—Tho motion was carried.

The president and Messrs Sanderson, Doull, P. G. Anderson, Melville, and D. Swinney were appointed a sub-committee to arrange the details of the Otago championship meeting. Messrs A. C. Smith and T. Patterson made an informal report on tho programme of sports to be held by the Otago Belgian Relief Fund Committee next month.—lt wae decided that the centre lend tho movement all the assistance in its power.