FORTIETH ANNIVERSARY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26497, 26 June 1947, Page 2

FORTIETH ANNIVERSARY

HARRIER CLUB’S RECORD To mark the fortieth anniversary of the St. Kilda Harrier and Amateur Athletic Club, a reunion run for past and present, members will be held from the club room, St. Kilda Bathing Pavilion, on Saturday at 2.30 p.mThe, first general meeting of the club was held at the residence of Mr R. F. Williams, Market street, St. Kilda, on Monday, June 10, 1907, when the following were elected: —President. Mr R. F. Williams; vice-presidents—Messrs Ashton, Aslin, Gilmor, and Kempton; captain, C. Brady; deputy captains, L. Stevenson and A. Harvey; secretary, F. Shrimpton. The first run was held from St. Kilda Methodist schoolroom on Saturday, June 15, 1907, 11 members being on the roll. The first race was held at Forbury Park on May 9, 1908, a mile event which was won by P-John-ston. On June 20, 1908, A. Kernohan was elected as the first delegate from the club on the Otago Centre. The first championship race was held on August 29, 1908, at Tahuna Park, a three-mile steeplechase, which was won by W. J. Burk, with Gavin Wilson second. Attendance badges were first presented in 1908 by Mr D. C. Cameron, now the Mayor of Dunedin. The first cross-country team comprised Gavin Wilson, F. Broom. J. Dawson, M. Hogan, F. Graham, and W. Bissland-

It would be impossible to mention here all who brought honour to the club, but special mention must be made of the Rev. F. Rands, who in addition to his services, was second in the New Zealand Long Jump Championship, 1910; S. Govan and J. R. McLennan, besides winning numerous club races, were second and third respectively in the Port Road Race in 1913 During the club’s existence there have been only seven presidents:— Messrs R. F. Williams. E. A. Rosevear, M. J./Boardman, G. Ross. I. E. Still, C. A ' Pope, and now C. H. Bissland. One of the outstanding runners in the c-iub from 1915-1920 was the late Frank Morice who, besides winning many track events, won the club aggregate cup three times in succession and became the owner of it. Others who were prominent, both as harriers and track athletes, included George Brooks, Clive McCrone, Tom and Les Dove, Jack Boaraman. Jack Morris, John Dunn, Alan Williams. lan Still. Chris. Pope, Len Dickison, and Ben Beatson. In more recent years the following performed well at Otago arid New Zealand championship meetings:—Peter Walker, Bill Mackintosh, Tony Howley. John Cunningham. John Browett, and Cliff Simpson, who. besides winning the Otago Junior 440 and 880 Yards Championships in 1946. won the Junior National 880 Yards Championship the same year, and this year was second for the same title. The old members will take charge cf the run next Saturday afternoon, ana the reunion will be brought to a conclusion with a social evening in the Kaikorai Band rooms at 8 p.m.