ATHLETIC AND CYCLING UNION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20426, 5 June 1928, Page 5

ATHLETIC AND CYCLING UNION

ANNUAL MEETING OF CENTRE. The annual meeting of the_ Otago Centre, New Zealand Athletic and Cycling Union was held last night. The president (Mr G. Bruce) occupied the chair. The Chairman, in moving the adoption of the annual report and balance sheet, stated that the centre had experienced a very successful year, with good competition and very satisfactory entries. The finances could be considered satisfactory. In seconding the motion, Mr A. R. Kilgour stated that the centre had continued to progress, and there were indications that the incoming year would be just as successful as the last. The clubs were to be congratulated on the way in which they had conducted their meetings. The motion was carried.

The following office-bearers were elected:—Patron, Mr D. F. M'Kay; president, Mr A. R. Kilgour; senior vicepresident, Mr G. Lyell; junior vicepresident, Mr J. Newlands; honorary solicitor, Mr John Lang; auditor, Mr G. Davidson; executive—Messrs G. Bruce, H. Craig, G. B. Fiveash, T. C. Hore, J. Matheson, R. B. Meek, J. D. M'Leod, A. Pol worth, T. Read, J. W. Stringer, R. G. Varcoe, A. Valentine, A. M. Wylie, W. Yorston, and W. J. Rennick; secretary and treasurer, Mr J. D. Forbes.

The secretary was granted a bonus of £5 os in appreciation of the large amount of work he had done during the year. The Secretary drew attention to the fact that in many cases clubs forgot that competitors in field events must register. It would probably be found that some competitors were liable to disqualification, but that was probably due to an oversight. Competitors in field events as a rule did not fill in a performance sheet, and this omission should be rectified. “ I am an amateur inasmuch as I want good, clean sport,” said Mr Forbes. He regretted, however, he added, that the amateur centre in Dunedin had refused permission for the holding of amateur events at a cashamateur meeting. The amateur body called members of the Athletic and Cycling Centre professionals, but they were really cash amateurs. The amateur body was standing in the way of progress of the sport of athletics. He hoped that on some future date amateurs and cash-amateurs would compete at the same meetings. At Home lawn tennis amateurs and professionals were working together, and he hoped that the same thing would happen in athletics in New Zealand.

The following motion regarding voting was carried:—“ Members of the retiring executive and delegates 'from financial affiliated societies shtll be entitled to vote at the annual meeting and special general meetings. In the event of a retiring executive member being a delegate he shall be entitled to vote only as a delegate. Any member of a financial affiliated club or society shall be eligible for nomination for executive office.”

In presenting the retiring president with a silver shield, suitably inscribed, Mr Kilgour stated that Mr Bruce was one of the oldest men connected with athletics in Otago, and he was also one of the keenest. He was h fair-minded man, who did not jump to conclusions, and it 'was, therefore, a pleasure to be associated with him on the executive. Nothing that the centre could do would adequately repay him for his services in the cause of good sport.—Mr Bruce, in returning thanks, stated that he would continue to do all in his power to aid the centre in its work. RUNNER DISQUALIFIED.

At the meeting of the executive held prior to the annual meeting the-secretary (Mr J. D. Forbes) reported that members of the executive who attended the Maheno and Enfield meetings had doubts about the performances of a man who gave his name as L. Nesdale. At Maheno he was placed second in the 75yds handicap and won the Maheno handicap, the value of which was £2O. At' Enfield he ran in only one race, the 440vds handicap, which he won. The members met the man and discussed his performance sheet with him. At Maheno he signed a declaration before the president of the club, wha was a justice of the peace, stating that everything was in order, and he tried to “bluff” the executive so that he could obtain the prize money. Later Nesdale met the speaker and confessed to him that he had given an incorrect performance sheet, and that his correct initials were “P. L.” Mr Forbes added that it was found that Nes ; dale had run at Maheno in 1920, being placed first in the 440yds handicap. He competed again the following year, and was placed third. Elsewhere he had secured seven firsts, three seconds, and and twice unplaced off back marks. The members who had met Nesdale recommended that he should be disqualified tor. 12 months from May 1 last.

A motion that Nesdale be disqualified for three years was carried by a large majority, an amendment that he be disqualified for five years having few supporters.

It was stated that further consideration would be given to the matter by the New Zealand Union.