AMATEUR ATHLETICS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23351, 17 November 1937, Page 17

AMATEUR ATHLETICS

MEETING OF OTAGO CENTRE EMPIRE GAMES MANAGER The monthly meeting of the Otago Centre of the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association was held last night. The president (Mr C. vV. Clark) occupied the chair, and there were also present Messrs B. R. McKernan, C. G. Gibbons, E. C. Isaacs, L. W. Woods. R. G. Pilling, J. S. Shepherd, C. A. Pope, J. W; Holley, A. R. Geddes, T. Allen, C. K. Heaton, R. G. McKinlay, I. George, J. A. Bond, L. R. McMillan, R. Thompson, A. G. Hall, and J. G. Barnes (secretary). The chairman welcomed Mr McMillan, representing the Civil Service Club, to his first meeting of the centre.

Reference was made by Mr Clark to the illness of Mr H. J. C. McKenzie, the centre's starter, and it was decided that a letter be sent to Mr McKenzie wishing him a speedy recovery. CORRESPONDENCE

The secretary of the Winton Athletic Society wrote applying for permission to hold amateur athletic events at the society's annual meeting and at evening meetings.—Granted. The secretary of the New Zealand Association advised that the standard time for a 20 miles race had been fixed at two hours.—lt was decided that the secretary write to the parent body pointing out that the world's record for the distance was lhr 51min 54sec, the Australian record was 2hr Bmin 24Jsec (recently reduced to 2hr 3min 47sec, but not yet passed), and that a fair standard for New Zealand would be 2hr 4min.

Mr W. J. Bennett wrote tendering his resignation from the position of fields events handicapper on account of his transfer to Southland.—The resignation was accepted with regret, and the secretary was asked to write thanking Mr Bennett for his past services. It was also decided that a minute of appreciation be recorded. The secretary of the Roxburgh Club wrote advising that the annual sports would be held at Roxburgh on the Boxing Day holiday (December 27), and asking that the programme be approved. The club confirmed Mr C. G. Gibbons's appointment as its delegate on the centre.—Received.

I. M. Malcolm (Heddon Bush, Southland) wrote applying for reinstatement as an amateur.—lt was decided that the application be forwarded to 'the New Zealand Council.

In reply to a letter inquiring whether T. Allen and W. A. C. Pullar would be eligible for selection in the New Zealand team for the Empire Games in the event of their being unable to attend the trials at Wellington, Mr J. K. Moloney (Christchurch) advised that he would confer with his coselector and would advise the centre later. —Received.

The secretary ot the Southland Association wrote protesting at the Otago Centre's action in holding a women's and junior championship meeting on November 20, and suggesting that the meeting be held in February, when runners were fit.—Protests at the early date of the meeting were also received from the North Otago Association and the Tokomairiro Club.—The letters were received, no action being taken in the matter.

H. A. Brown wrote applying for a transfer from the St. Kilda Club to (he Caversham Club.—The application was granted subject to a clearance being received. Mr D T. Woodfield (Wellington) wrote accepting the position of Otago's delegate on the New Zealand Council. —Received,

The secretary of the North Otago Association wrote advising that Mr A. A. Cameron had been appointed delegate to the centre.—Received EMPIRE GAMES »The secretary of the New Zealand Association wrote asking for results of the centre's trial meetings, and for the names of athletes available for the Empire Games and the trials at Wellington. The Olympic Association had decided to pay the expenses of a manager, an assistant manager, and a chaperone. and. he asked for nominations for the positions to be sent by November 30. People wishing to travel with the team would have to arrange their own transport and accommodation in Sydney.—The request for results and particulars was referred to the selector. Mr Gibbons spoke of the great services rendered to athletics by Mr Isaacs, and said that he would have every qualification for the position of manager of the New Zealand team for

the British Empire Games.—Several speakers referred to Mr Isaacs's ability to fill the position, and it was decided that his nomination as manager be forwarded to the New Zealand Council. • APPOINTMENT OF SELECTOR Mr McKernan was appointed sole selector for the season. CUP FOR WALKING EVENT

Indicative of his great interest in competitive walking, R. J. Watson, the Otago walking champion, presented, a challenge cup to the centre for the Junior Mile Walking Championship at Saturday's meeting. Conditions of competition were that the cup be competed for annually, and that it could not be won outright.—The cup was received with thanks, and the secretary was instructed to write a letter of appreciation to Mr Watson. SECONDARY SCHOOLS' MEETING Mr Isaacs reported on the annual sports meeting of the Otago and Southland secondary high schools at Oamaru on November 6, stating that the fixture was outstanding in every way. The standard was exceptionally high, and augured well for the future of athletics in the two provinces. The officials conducting the meeting were to be congratulated on the manner in which the fixture had been run.—Mr Isaacs was thanked for his report. GENERAL On the motion of Mr Gibbons it was decided that a Marathon Race be held in October next year. Mr Allen suggested that the secretary write to the New Zealand Council asking that a standard be set for. the three-quarters of a mile, as he understood that W. A. C. Pullar wished to make an attempt to establish a New Zealand record. —This was agreed to. . Permission was granted to University athletes to compete for other clubs in the Dominion during the University holidays. Mr Thomson was appointed acting starter during Mr McKenzie's absence, and Mr Barnes acting assistant starter. Mr Heaton was appointed field events handicapper in place of Mr Bennett.