COUNCIL OF SPORT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25562, 15 June 1944, Page 6

COUNCIL OF SPORT

ANNUAL MEETING The annual meeting of the Otago Provincial Council of Sport was held last night. The president, Mr W. A. Jenkins, was in the chair, and there was a representative attendance of delegates. Reference was made to the work of Mr J Swan, of the Physical Welfare Branch, in bringing the Register of Sport up-to-date. The secretary reported that ali affiliated bodies would receive copies shortly.—Mr Swan was thanked for his work. Council’s Boundaries After a discussion on the question of boundaries between adjacent councils. Mr D. C. Jolly moved that the Otago Council’s northern boundary be the Waitaki River, southern, the Mataura River, and western, the Crown Range and the Arrow Rlyer.—The J motion was carried, the chairman commenting that Queenstown was now in the Southland district. Caledonian Ground A letter was received from the Caledonian Society asking the council’s intention towards fulfilling its promise to pay its share (£500) of the purchase price of the ground. The chairman said that the letter came as a surprise to the council as it was generally understood .that it would not be called upon to pay its share of the purchase price ' of the Caledonian Ground until after the war. Mr A. G. Harper, of the Internal Affairs Department, who had carried out the negotiations for the sale of the ground, had made that plain. Mr Jolly said that they had Mr Harper’s word for it thfit the Caledonian Society would not require the money until after the war. It was decided, on the motion of Mr A. McMillan, to write to the Caledonian Society informing it of the position. Distribution of Tennis Balls

The Dunedin Lawn Tennis Union wrote expressing its dissatisfaction with the distribution of lawn tennis balls to' clubs and private court owners other than those under the jurisdiction of the New Zealand Lawn Tennis. Association. Mr McMillan moved that the matter be referred to the incoming committee. This was seconded by Mr Isaacs and carried, the chairman remarking that he understood there would be a more equitable distribution of tennis balls next season. Chairman’s Address The chairman, moving the adoption of the annual report, said that the main event of the year had been the formation of the New Zealand Council of Sport which, he stressed, would not interfere with the affairs of individual sports bodies unless its assistance was sought. He said the council had endeavoured to arrange for a fair distribution of rubber linings for footballs, basketballs, etc. A distribution of tennis balls had been made through local councils of sport, and negotiations were at present In progress for the reconditioning of golf balls. He stressed the need for improved playing areas for the schools in and around Dunedin. He thought more could have been done in the provision of swimming pools for schools, pointing out that small pools could be built for as little as £75. Mr Jenkins paid a tribute to the work of the honorary secretary.

Mr E. C Isaacs, who seconded the motion, said that after the war there would be a greater number of people participating in various sports, especially bowling, lawn tennis, and golf, but they would have to face up to the fact that there would be a shortage of playing areas. He thought the question should b« taken up with the Dominion body. One of the tasks' the council would have to undertake after the war was that of giving assistance to clubs' which had been in recess. Election of Officers The election of officers resulted as follows:—President, Mr W. A. Jenkins: vicepresident, Mr C. W. Clark; sec-etary, Mr R. S. M. Sinclair: treasurer, Mr E. L. Hope: hon. solicitor, Mr C. J. L. White; auditor, Mr G. Davidson; Executive Committee—Messrs E. C. Isaacs, I. Grant, R. O. Johnson, J. A. Robson, S. C. Ringrose, A. T. Robertson, Miss M. A. Mackenzie, and Mrs G. Columbus. Centennial Memorial

A proposal was submitted regarding the form that the Otago Centennial Memorial should take. The scheme was favourably commented upon, and it was unanimously decided to forward plans and specifications to all sports bodies.

The statement of receipts and expenditure showed a credit balance of £43 18s