CONTROL OF CYCLING

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22098, 31 October 1933, Page 11

CONTROL OF CYCLING

DUNEDIN AMATEUR CLUB AMALGAMATION OF TWO CLUBS AFFILIATION WITH LEAGUE OF WHEELMEN. « The annual meeting of the Otago Amateur Cycling Club was held at the Caledonian Ground last evening, the president (Mr J. A. Johnston) occupying the chair. In connection with the competition for the M'Connell Cup, a notice of motion was introduced altering the scale of points to allow only one point for the rider securing the fastest time. An amendment was moved that two points be allowed for fastest time and one point for second fastest time. On being put to the vote the amendment was carried by a large majority. Speaking to the annual report, the chairman referred to the good work done throughout the year by the secretary (Mr F. H. Greenfield). He was untiring in his efforts in the interests of the club and had been a tower of strength during the past season. Other, officers whose services he commended were the handicapper (Mr A. Ockwell),'the .treasurer (Mr H. Ockwell), and various officials who had actea during the, year. Speaking of the Otago Centre, Mr Johnston sa:d the club had some real friends on that body. Mr E. L. Macassey had been . of the greatest assistance to the club and had done a great deal to further the sport of cycling in Dunedin. Even though rtey had de cided to join the League of Wheelmen, he felt sure That they would still find ffiim a firm friend. The difficulty was that there were members on the centre who (iould see only runners on the track and had time for cyclists. It was because otdhem and because of what had happened in Wellington that the breakaway movement had begun. A lot of people said the League of Wheelmen was not. an affiliated body as far as the International Cycling Union was concerned, but correspondencc on the point proved conclusively that i xviq an affiliated organisation, and no matter what anybody said that fact could not be disputed. In connection with the finances of the club, the chairmanW they had passed through a very £i®cult year. Conditions had been such that the subscriptions of unemployed members had had to be remitted, while I ba n d ay to be allowed to ride without paying entrv fees. But with better times the club’s finances would improve. In cona - tion with the presidency, he n as resign kafirs y’SSBs KS- the' Sf Meg .entitled them to take the president s chair. Cycling Club attended the meeting in connection with a proposal for the amalgamation the two chibs. Several speakers intimated that the Pacific Chib was quite willing to combine with the Ama teur Club', provided the necessary arran„t "S? rtdSmrten moved « the Otago Amateur Cycling CI«V be d«j banded, and that,.a new club be formea Snder the control of the League of Wheelmen The speaker said that the Otago Club had pledged itself to the League of Wheelmen, and it was therefore propose that the new organisation should he affiliated to that body. , in answer to a question, the chairman said that if the new club decided to 30m the league nothing could be done ta upset the affiliation. The Amateur. Athletic Association could not dispute the a tinn and he was convinced that without membership of the league co 'i send riders overseas to compete. Cychng would not go ahead properly until it nas new club formed. Mr C A. Lucas moved and Mr J. Foeartv* seconded, that, a new club -be formed to be known as the Dunedin Amateur Cycling. Club, and the motion was Ca j“r ed F Un H. im Gree y nfield was appointed secretary of the new club in the meantin The election of officers resulted - as fol-vice-patrons, Messrs J. Leslie and 0. H. Paul; .president, Mr A. Ockwell; vicepresidents—Messrs C. Gilchrist, J. Piet eher J. A. Johnston, J- Beale, Cx. J - Barton, F. Gibson, F. Mundy, H. W. Laws, W. MLauchlan G. Deans H. Oakes, W. Blackie, W. M'Donald H. W. Lanham, A. Holland, j. Walquist, F. H. Greenfield, J. A. M;Connell 4 Harmon, E T Holler, S. Brentford, J. MGIII, L - C Ferguson, C. A. Lucas, H. Schmeltz, and Mrs A. Blaney and Mrs Plank; club captains, Mr J. C. Fogarty (track), Mr CG. Lucas (road); bou. secretary, Mr F. H. Greenfield; assistant secretary, Mr C G. Lucas; hon. treasurer, Mr H. Unwell; General Committee—Messrs D M'Callum, W. J. Templeton C. G. Gilchrist, G. Sinclair, J. Newish, I. MMillan, J. Blackiq-; handicapper, Mr 1. M'Millan; timekeepers Messrs w. Blackie, C. G. Gilchrist, C. A. Lucas, J. A. Johnston, H. R. Greenfield: track starter Mr L. C. Ferguson; assistant track starters, Messrs E. Fletcher and H. R. Greenfield; road starter, Mr C. A. Lucas, assistant road starters, Messrs E. Fletcher and C. G. Gilchrist; hon. auditors, Messis J, C. Fogarty and G. Deans. A GENEROUS OFFER. After his election as patron Mr Paterson asked what the combined assets ot the two clubs %vere, because whatever they were he was prepared to double them to give the new club a good start. He wa also prepared to present the club with 1flags to facilitate the proper conduct ot road races. , , The announcement was greeted witn cheers nnd fl. vote of thanlcs to Mr Paterson was carried by acclamation. Speaking on the question of affiliation Mr Ockwell said they had to decide whether they were going to control their own sport or have it controlled for them. What they did that night would possibly determine the way amateur cycling in New Zealand will be run. Invercargill were prepared to follow Dunedin s lead and in the north the break-away had already been effected. He personally was convinced that they would never be allowed to control their own sport until they broke away from the Cycling Council. They had nothing to lose by brealdng away, and as a matter of fact they knew that this was the Cycling Council's last “ flutter.” Once the breakaway was effected the Cycling Council would be banded over to them. Cutting adrift from the Otago Amateur Athletic Centre need not cause them any worry as they had the whip hand. The Athletic Centre would lose more than the cyclists if they refused permission to runners to compete at cycling meetings. Once affiliated with the League of Wheelmen they could run their own sport without interference and when Dunedin joined up there would scarcely be an unaffiliated club in the South Island. The Cycling Council’s championships would become meaningless as there would not be more jffian a single province to compete, Title*

would be worthless. It was ridiculous • for them to go on in the way they had been going. In the past the cycling clubs in Dunedin for instance could not communicate with their parent body except through the medium of some athletic centre or. committee. He personally was not prepared to submit to any further domination by the athletic centres, and he sincerely hoped the meeting vyould not agree to it either; They were strong enough to stand on their own feet now and could do without the interference of the Athletic Association. Mr C G. Lucas moved that the new club affiliate with the New Zealand League of Wheelmen. They could do no good by waiting to see what others did. They should take the initiative at once. The chairman asked if anyone could produce a single argument against the change-over to the League of Wheelmen and there was no response. Mr Gilchrist suggested that since the riders had most at stake and had to risk disqualification, they alone should be asked to decide the matter. On the motion being put the riders voted for it unanimously. 3 , Mr Johnston moved that application be made immediately for the- first New Zealand Championship meeting to be held in Dunedin this year. The motion was carried. THE LEAGUE OF WHEELMEN ATTITUDE OF WELLINGTON CENTRE. . / (Peb Unites) Pbebb Association.) WELLINGTON, October 30. Mr A. 0. Kitto, president of the Wellington Amateur Athletic Centre, has published the following reply to a Press Association message from Christchurch: —, “ Mr J. Sturrock, chairman of the council of newly-formed League of Wheelmen, makes use of my name, and if correctly reported, states that I made to him a statement ‘ that the New Zealand Cycling Council, was prepared to drop out and let the league carry on.’ Not being a member ot that body, and with no authority to speak for it, and also not knowing its views on sthe question, I give his statement an emphatic denial. “As far as the Wellington Centre of the N.Z.A.A.A. is concerned, it is incorrect to say we will support the league. We will place no obstacles*in the way of cyclists here if they desire to link up with the New Zealand League of Wheelmen, and if the movement proves itself, ,* I see no reason why the league and the,; athletic centres should not work in harmony. For-at last 20 years we have done our best Tor our cyclists. We have_at times given them .even .more consideration than our own athletes. They have .Jiad the benefit of'perfect organisation, and if in the face of this they" wish to break away, then we say, Why stop them?”