AMATEUR ATHLETICS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22293, 20 June 1934, Page 9

AMATEUR ATHLETICS

MEETING OF OTAGO CENTRE The monthly meeting of the Otago Centre of the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association was held in the Returned Soldiers’ Association Rooms last evening. The president (Mr E. L. Macassey) occupied the chair, and there was a large attendance of delegates. Before proceeding with the business for the evening a motion of condolence with Mr R. Thompson in the death of his wife was carried, the members standing in silence. CORRESPONDENCE.

The secretary of the Timaru Harrier Management Committee advised that the date for the Timaru-Temuka Road Race this year was July 14. Advice was received from the New Zea-, land Amateur Athletic Association that A. R, Donnelly’s (Invercargill) application for reinstatement had been granted. It was decided to forward an application for reinstatement from C. J. Le Couteur to the New Zealand Council with a favourable recommendation.

A letter was received from the Rev. E, S. Tuckwcll extending a welcome to barriers to a church parade to be held at the Hanover Street Baptist Church on August 12. A report was received from the Otago delegate to the New Zealand Council (Mr F. M. Reid) in reply to an inquiry regarding the non-inclusion of E. C. Brown in the British Empire Games team. Mr Reid stated that in selecting a team the council first of all sorted out individuals on their performances compared with the performances of the previous Games, and unless a man could secure at least seventh place ha was not considered. Brown's time for the Marathon at Wellington was not published correctly, and even if the time was correct he would not have been in the first 10 in the last Marathon held in England, in which race there were no competitors from any of the colonies. After the last Olympic Games the council and the Olympic Association decided that only those who were considered by the controlling bodies as entitled to selection should be sent, apd that no one except those nominated would be allowed to compete, eveu if they paid their own expenses.—Mr Isaacs pointed out that the Marathon at Wellington was held over a bill course, whetoas the marathons in England were run over a flat course. Under the circumstances it would have been only fair to have given Brown a trial on the flat. Although the New Zealand team had now departed, the Otago Centre should not allow the matter to drop in view of the statements that had been made regarding Brown’s qualifications.—The secretary of the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association acknowledged receipt of the Otago Centre’s letter asking why the council had not included E. C. Brown in the team to represent New Zealand at the British Empire Games. At a meeting of the council it had been decided, the writer stated, that E. 0. Brown was not up to the required standard-—lt was left to the secretary and Mr Isaacs to draw up a further letter of protest to Mr Reid and to the New Zealand Council.

Advice was received from the secretary of the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association that the_ Alexandra Amateur Athletic and Harrier Club’s application for affiliation bad been granted. GENERAL.

Mr C. K- Heaton, on behalf of the Social Committee, reported that a social function would be held on June 30 when prizes won during the track season would be presented. Jt was decided to send a letter congratulating the Dunedin Harrier Club on the manner in which it had run the Edmond Cup Race. * In connection with the date of the New Zealand Cross Country Championship the secretary (Mr T. M. Brydone) reported that on account of the Otago-Soutliland Rugby match being held on August 25 the New Zealand Council had been written to asking that the date be altered to August 18 or September 1. The New Zealand Council had decided to alter the date of the championship to September I.—Reporting on bebalf of the Harrier Subcommittee. Mr 0. W. Clark said that the course at Wingatui would not be available on September 1 and the committee recommended that- the race be held on the original date, August 23. The committee would meet on July 2 to make arrangements for the championship.—Mr P. W. Breen said he did not think the race should clash with a representative football match. —It was decided to write to the New Zealand Council explaining the position and requesting that the race be held on August 13. The Harrier Sub-committee recommended that the Junior Cross Country Championship be held over the first lap of the Senior Cross Country course.