ATHLETICS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22710, 24 October 1935, Page 4

ATHLETICS

By Amateur.

FIXTURES November 2. —Primary schools' sports. Otago and Southland secondary schools' championships at lnvercarNovember 6, 13, 20, 27, December 4, 11, and 18. —Evening sports meetings. November 30 and December 14.—Scratch interclub meetings. December 26. —Roxburgh Club's meeting. January 1. —Alexandra Club's sports. February S. —Otago Championships, at Dunedin. February 28 and 29.—New Zealand Championships, at Dunedin. L. C. M'LACHLAN'S POSITION A peculiar position has arisen which may possibly affect L. C. M'Lachlan's competition in international athletics. The trouble has been caused by the ap-

pearance of an advertisement in various newspapers of the Dominion which declares that M'Laehlan has built up his strength, stamina and staying power by taking a certain brand of patent food. The action of the brilliant New Zealand middle-distance runner in allowing his name to be used in such a manner is regarded seriously by the authorities, and it would appear that M'Laehlan will have a difficult task in explaining the matter. In clause 2, Amateur Status, the following rule appears in the hand book of the assoAn amateur cannot receive any compensation for using the goods or apparatus of any firm, manufacturer or agent, nor shall he allow his name to be used as a means of advertising or recommending the goods of any firm or manufacturer." It would appear that M'Lachlan's amateur status on the face of this clause, is in jeopardy. It is made clear that, for an athlete's status to be invalidated, he need not receive compensation for the use of hia name in sponsoring a product. The New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association has, however, the power to reinstate an athlete who has " not knowingly, wilfully nor negligently " infringed his amateur status. However, it is possible that he would be prevented from taking part in international competition. The New Zealand Council has taken the matter up, and at Tuesday's annual meeting of the Otago Centre a letter was received from the governing body seeking an explanation, through the Otago Centre, from M'Laehlan. The letter caused considerable comment, and various members recalled incidents of other well-known New Zealand athletes who had allowed their names to be used in advertisements. It was mentioned that M'Laehlan had stated that he had not received viy payment or compensation for praising the particular patent food. The manufacturer was a friend of his, and in the course of a conversation with him it appears that M'Laehlan told him he used his product, which had benefited him considerably. The manufacturer had then made use of the champion's remarks ignorant that he might thus be endangering the athlete's amateur standing. After further discussion the secretary /was instructed to write to the council drawing its attention to the fact that R. Rose's name had appeared in advertisements, as also had those of noted Canterbury athletes.' And there the matter rests for the present, but it is to be hoped that the popular Otago runner will not suffer from the position that has arisen as it was the wish of many followers of athletics that M'Laehlan should wear New Zealand's colours at the forthcoming Olympic Games. NEW CLUB AT LAWRENCE Interest in amateur athletics seems to be increasing with gratifying rapidity in the country districts of Otago, and it is anticipated that a very_ successful year will be held by the province. The most recently formed body is the South Tuapeka Amateur Athletic Association, which will embrace tin Lawrence, Waitahuna, Beaumont, and Tuapeka Mouth districts. The inaugural meeting, held at Lawrence, was accorded enthusiastic support, and, as a result, yet another club will be affiliated to the Otago Centre this season. The office-bearers elected were as follows: President, Mr J. C. Smith; club captain, Mr F. Corbett; deputy-captain, Mr H. Edie; secretary r-nd treasurer, Mr R. R. Welsh; timekeeper, Mr D. Bews; starter, Mr W. Christie; handicapper, Mr J. Anderson; auditor, Mr E. Winchester. The visit of (the three Victorian athletes to country centres should give a further fillip to the sport throughout the province, so that it will be seen that there is every prospect for an outstanding season in the history of athletics in Otago. WOMEN'S ATHLETIC CLUBS So much interest is being displayed by young women in the sport of athletics in Otago that, it is rumoured, two clubs may be formed during the coming month or two. Year by year more and more women athletes are coming forward, and it has been felt for some time that more should be done for these promising performers. Consequently one enterprising Dunedin club has matters well forward in forming a women's sub-branch, and, no doubt, the venture will prove a pronounced success. The other movement to form a women's club has found its, origin in Oamaru, where for some time young women have performed with distinction. If a club is formed in the northern town it should have a strong membership, as among those who have performed creditably in recent seasons are Miss Betty Forbes, present balder of the New Zealand women's high jump record, Miss Ruby Grant, and Miss I. Hayes, to mention'just a few. It is to be hoped that both clubs will be formed successfully, as it is considered they will fill a longfelt want. AMATEUR CYCLING The report of the Otago Centre of the New Zealand Amateur Cycling Association, which was presented at the annual meeting of delegates this week, recorded a year of success and increased activity. A small credit balance was shown on the year's working. The election of office-bearers resulted as follows: —President, Mr R. M'Cash; vice-presidents —Messrs J.Fletcher, F. H. Greenfield, H. W. Laws, and J. A. Johnston; secretary and treasurer, Mr F. H. Greenfield; handicapper, Mr A. Ockwell; trustees of trophies—Messrs

Laws, Fletcher, and Greenfield; honorary auditor, Mr H. Ockwell; joint starters, Messrs J. A. Johnston and J. Kewish; timekeepers—Messrs Fletcher, Lucas, T. Gilchrist, and A. Ockwell; record stewards, Messrs Laws and Kewish. The Roxburgh Amateur Athletic Club was granted affiliation to the centre. The centre was advised that the immediate and unrestricted reinstatement of C. M. Nicholson as an amateur had been granted by the New Zealand Association, and that the reinstatement of J. A. Young, of Eoxburgh, as an official only had been granted. INVERCARGILL CLUB ' The annual meeting of the Invercargill Club was held at the end of last week. when the enthusiasm shown augured well for a successful season. Mr A. Derbie, who takes a keen interest in the sport, was re-elected president, and Mr G. M'Anergney was re-elected sports secretary. Other officers elected were: —General secretary, Mr L. Hinkley; handicapper, Mr E. Moyle; starter, Mr J. Holloway; coaches —Messrs A. Couling, C. Pierson. and I. O. Manson. Appreciation was expressed of the services rendered by Mr E. C. Isaacs,' a former delegate to the Otgao Centre, on behalf of the Invercargill Club, and of the help given by Messrs J. W. Holley and J. J. Morris, the sitting delegates. It is interesting to note that the survevor elected, Mr G. St. Y. Keddell, is a brother of the late Gerald Keddell, the brilliant New Zealand hurdling and long jump champion. WELLINGTON PERTURBED According to " Sprinter " in the Evening Post, the Wellington Athletic Centre has been " dealt a heavy body blow, which, apart from seriously jeopardising prospects for the season, may mean the beginning of the end of the sport in Wellington." The cause of the consternation among the athletes is that the Reserves Committee of the City Council recently restricted the use of the Basin Reserve for sport's meetings conducted by the centre to two Saturday afternoons during the season. It is realised by the centre tliat regular competition is essential in tlie conducting of athletics, and if this is being denied by the action of the Reserves Committee the Wellington athletes .will certainly lose interest in the sport. "The position simply is that # the Reserves Committee," writes " Sprinter,' is asking athletes to train a Kilbirnie and Kelbourn for two sports meetings on the Basin Reserve, one the provincial championship meeting and the other perhaps the Country-Wellington fixture, and meetings that niav be held at Petone or Lower Hutt. ' There is no doubt that in plain terms the Reserves Committee is forcing athletes out of the city and in that way harm will be done to the sport." The question is certainly causine Wellington officials much worry.' as it is feit that, without the Basin Reserve for its sports meetings, the centre will -a difficult task to carry on successfully this season. The! difficulty of centres obtaining suitable sports grounds is appreciated by Otago followers of athletes, and. no doubt, their sympathy will be extended to the northern centre in its "bereavement." It is earnestly to be hoped that such a setback will not be met by the local centre, and that help rather than hindrance will be given by the authorities concerned.