NOTES BY AMATEUR.

Otago Witness, Issue 2009, 25 August 1892, Page 31

NOTES BY AMATEUR.

The annual general meeting of the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association was held on Friday night. In s the unavoidable absence of Mr F. Wilding, President of the Association, Mr J. F. Grierson was voted to the chair. The following delegates 'were present : — Messrs C. H. Croxton (Auckland), E. R. Webb (Oamaru), Tonks (Auckland), Moir (Kurow), Mitchell (Dunedin), Laurie • (Canterbury), Brabazon (Napier), Lean (Hawke's Bay), Cusack [(Canterbury), Batchelor (Manawatu), Dr Moorhouse (Dunedin) and Mr T. D. Harman (Wellington), Hon. Sec.

The adopted report and balance sheet shows that the year was begun with a credit of L 69 6s 7d, while the credit balance now is L4O 9s sd. The receipts amounted to LlB6 Is 3d and the expenditure to L 145 lls lOd. The assets are valued at L 55 14s sd, and the liabilities are nil. Unfavourable weather for the Championship meeting, reduction in the affiliated clubs' annual subscriptions to the association, together with unusually heavy expenditure during the year account for the decrease in the credit balance.

The " unusually heavy " expenditure is stated to be LlO6 18 3d in excess of what the expenditure was for the previous year which makes one conclude that the meeting at Auckland was more economically managed, than the 1892 one. However, leaving the question of economy aside, I fail to see where this extra amount appears in the balance sheet in which the total expenses are only L 145 11s lOd. The report further says the committee congratulated the association upon the visit of the New Zealand athletic team to England. The undertaking entailed an estimated expense of L 450, but the sum had been subscribed in a few days, and the committee desired to express its gratitude to all athletic bodies who had contributed so generously towards the expense of the English tour. The committee felt that great benefits would arise to athletics in New Zealand from the trip, and also from the visit of the hon. secretary of the association (Mr L. A. Cuff) to England as manager of the team. Mr Cuff has already secured the affiliation of the association to the English Amateur Athletic Association. The number of clubs affiliated to the association had been increased during the past year by the addition of the following clubs: — Wanganui Amateur Athletic Club, Man?.watu Amateur Athletic Club, and Kurow Amateur Athletic Club. At the Championship meeting, held on February 5 and 6, the association netted the sum of L3B I4s 7d as its share of the profits, while the following records were established -.—. — 100 yds, J. H. Hempton (Napier), 9 4-ssec ; 120 yds Hurdle Race, H. W. Batger (Wellington), 16sec; Three-mile Walk, H. S. Cocks (Canterbury), 23min 16 2-ssec ; Hempton'sand Batger's performances being equal to world's records. During the year correspondence has passed between the association and the New South Wales Association with reference to the inauguration of colonial championship meetings, with the result that a sub-committee, consisting of Messrs Wilding, Croxton, Grierson, and the secretary, was appointed to consider the question. Since the last annual general meeting of the association the constitution of the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association has been revised and the rules considerably altered.

Mr C. H. Croxton proposed, and Mr Harman seconded— " That Mr H. D. Bell, of Wellington, be appointed president of the association for theensuingyear." This was carried unanimously. The secretary read the following list of gentlemen who had been suggested as vice-presidents of the association by their various clubs :—: — Messrs F. Wilding (Canterbury), W. Dymock (Dunedin), F. N. Robinson (Hawke's Bay), J. H. B. Coates (Auckland), J. F. Grierson (Timaru), W. Manson (Wanganui), and Rev. H. C. Frere (Kurow). These, with the addition of one to be suggested by the Manawatu Athletic Club, were appointed. Mr L. A. Cuff was appointed secretary of the association for the ensuing year, and Mr T. D. Harman was appointed to fill the position uutil Mr Cuff's return to New Zealand. A hearty vote of thanks to Mr T. D. Harman for his pafat services was cair'el unanimously. Mr C. H. Croxton was unanimously re-elected treasurer. A proposal to amend certain rules was referred to a sub-committee consisting of Messrs Croxton, Webb, Harris, and Harman, With

reference to the next championship meeting, Mr M'Lean proposed, and Mr Cusack seconded, that it should beheld in Napier. Dr Moorhouso moved an amendment, which was seconded by Mr P. Laurie — " That the meeting should be hold in Wellington, provided a guarantee is given that a suitable track is available." The amendment was carried. On the motion of Dr Moorhouse, seconded by Mr Lean, it was decided to hold the meeting in February 1893. A record for the High Jump of sft 6Jin, made by Mr F. Meyrick, at Palmerston North, was passed. A question as to whether any amateur competing or assisting competitors in tugs-of-war for money, although not receiving money, forfeited his amateur status, was answered in the affirmative. The secretary gave the opinion of the sub-committee with regard to Australasian championship meetings, which was to the effect that it would be unadvisable for the association to come to any definite arrangement in the matter. This was agreed to, and the report ordered to be sent to the New South Wales Association. Tho following reinstatements were made : — C. Rides, Canterbury; A. B. Craig, Auckland; R. Brownley, Auckland ; R. Todd, Auckland ; A. D'Arcy, Masterton.

It will be seen from the above report that the gentlemen supposed to be elected by their respective clubs as vice-presidents of the association are—in the eyes of that body, and in accordance with the rule referring to tho election of officers — considered to be only recommended for the position, and tho association, acting within its powers, could accept or decline any name suggested. The present rule reads. "... Each club shall nominate one vice-president, to hold office for the year, in addition to the delegates." Evidently this rule also refers to the appointment of delegates as well as vicepresidents. Ido not think it probable tho association would take the responsibility of refusing to elect any person nominated by an affiliated club, nevertheless in order to prevent any misunderstanding it is very necessary that the rule in question should be at once amended, the word "elect" being substituted for "nominate." . The team selected to represent the Canterbury Amateur Athletic Club in that club's coming cross-country championship is composed of the following :— O. G. Rees, W. J. Moir, W. Beadol, J. C. Cusack, and E. S. Leversedge. Some dissatisfaction has been expressed at the composition of this team, and a second team consisting of T. W. Rees, F. J. Leggat, F. W. Johnstono, J. Way, and G. W. Humphreys will compete. At a committee meeting oE the South Canterbury Amateur Athletic Club, held last week, Messrs Grierson, Styche, and Hawkes were appointed vice-president and delegates respectively to represent tho club at the meetings of the association in Christchurch. By accounts produced by the treasurer it was shown that the club's financial position had improved by about L2O duriug the last year. At tho Crowe-Alexandra meeting Bradley won the 100 yds scratch iv 10 3-ssec, Bulger being second.

The Scottish Championships were held at Dundee in wretched weather 1 M'Culloch won tho 100 yds in 10 3-ssec, and had a walk-ovor for tho Quarter-mile. Another walk-over was tho Three-milo Walk, Dickson securing the medal. J. R. Williams cleared sft 6^in in tho High Jump. N. A. M'Leod carried off the 220 yds Flat iv 23 4-ssec and the 120 yds Hurdles in 17sec. R. Mitchell won the Halfmile in 2min 5 4-ssec, and G. W. Pollard tho Four-miles in 21min 1 3-ssec.

"Toruhana" writes in tho Sydney Bulletin :— " What's up with Jack Hompton and the rest of the Maoriland boys in England — is it the climate or what ? Jack could always do the 100 yds in evens at any time during the last five years, and I have myself timed him 9 4-ssec on several occasions during practice, and once 9 3-ssec, though this last I will not swear to — so hard to get your clock away with the pistol when you are at the other end. I remember travelling with Hempton, a few years back, down from Palmerston North to Wellington, when he had just won eight races in three days (all he started for) from scratch. Can he be the same man now ? It's perhaps news to you that Hempton never was strong enough to stand hard training, and won most of his races without any but the slightest preparation."

Hempton in a letter to Mr H. V. Styche, of Christchurch, written after the Championship meeting, says :—": — " I was unlucky enough to go in the back sinew of my thigh on June 21, and hardly did any work afterwards. I was going splendidly when I broke down, and was just getting into form. When we got up to town I was patched up by a doctor, and ran on Saturday, but couldn't go a yard. Bell got about a couple of yards on me at the start ; at 80ydys I commenced going up, and had got within 2ft of him when my leg went again. As a proof that the strain was pretty bad, I may say that I cannot walk properly even now ; the injured part is constantly aching, and is going black. A great mistake was made in competing at meetings before tho championships. What we should have done was to have trained for the championships alone. This would have given us a fortnight or three weeks on shore before starting really hard work. The doctor who attended mo is about the best authority here on the matter. He said we should have had a month here before training. Batger ran well in the Hurdles, and had he been well should have won. He was suffering from a severe cold, and was unable to finish in his usual manner."

The London correspondent of the Canterbury Times in a description of the Championship meeting says the Two-mile Steeplechase was a most amusing race. For the first three rounds not one of the competitors negotiated the water jump cleanly. In the first round they did not even seem to be aware of the position of the jump until they were well into it. Martin, who is but a boy, ran extremely well, even after losing his shoes. A compatriot of his was in the small stand, and kept everyone laughing immoderately by his enthusiasm for " Jarge." As the men came round each time tho countryman screamed, " Ah, kape it oop, Jarge, mah hearty ; kape it oop." And George, hearing the shout — anyone within a mile must have heard it — would put on a little spurt, which drew from his supporter a fresh note of joy. His face when Smith ran up to the tired " Jarge" in the last lap was a study, but never for a moment did he fail in his allegiance to the boy until Smith had a 20 yards' lead, and then, in a tone of deep disgust, he ejaculated" Jarge's beat ; " but as the crowd cheered Martin, the countryman took heart, and volunteered the infoimation that " Jarge would win next 'ear, anyhow."

The Hawke's Bay Amateur Athletic Club intends to make a bid for the Championship meeting to be held in Napier next year. At a meeting held on Thursday week it was resolved to appoint a canvassing committee to ascertain what support would be likely to be received m the shape of a guarantee if there was a losb on the two days. The amount that will be asked to guarantee will be from LBO to LIOO. If this guarantee can be obtained the club will at once apply to the N.Z.A.A.A. to have the Championship meeting at Napier.

New York papers state that the Manhattan Athletic Club has decided to send a team abroad next year, consisting of oarsmen, bicyclists, pedestrians, &c. The team will start for Europe in May, so as to get them acclimatised. The athletes will take in English, Northern Counties, Irish and French championships. They will also take part in all the big handicap meetings. The eight-oared crew will compete in the various regattas, and if it makes a good showing will challenge Oxford. The men will remain abroad until September, returning in time to compete in the American championships.