N.Z.A.A. ASSOCIATION.

Otago Witness, Issue 2849, 21 October 1908, Page 62

N.Z.A.A. ASSOCIATION.

CENTRES AND COUNCILS. - WELLINGTON, October 16. The Wellington Centre of t)he New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association at a special meeting to-night decided to enter an emphatic protest against the president's ruling that Wellington candidates nominated to the council are ineligible because they do not reside at headquarters. The returning officer is to be asked to explain his position as returning officer and candidate. The centre insists on the returning officer proceeding with the electionaccording to the rules. The general opinion of the meeting was that this matter should be fought to the bitter end, and unless the president reconsidered his ruling the centre must consider the question of seceding from the association. CHRISTCHURCH, October 16. For some time past there has been friction between the council of the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association and some of the centres, particularly Wellington and Otago. The outcome was that the Wellington Centre, supported by Otago and Southland, nominated Messrs W. F. Larkin, F. Ross, A. Davies, W. Coffey, E. A. Dawson, A. Marryatt, and W. H. Pollock for election to the council, these candidates being pledged to support the removal of headquarters from Christchurch to Wellington. When the secretary of the association received these nominations he referred them to the president (Mr W. G. Atack). That official ruled that as the custom hitherto had been to receive nominations only from the place in which the headquarters of the association are situated, the Wellington nominations could' not be received, as in the absence of any specific rule the custom that had always prevailed must be observed. The other candidates nominated were Messrs H. S. Batchelor, J. F. Grierson, J. H. Aitken, G. H. Mason, J. R. Olliver, and S. Whitcombe. In order to save the trouble of an election, Mr Batchelor withdrew, and the remaining seven have been declared elected. OTAGO CENTRE. The annual meeting of the Otago Centre N.Z.A.A.A. was held on the 15th. , Tho president (Mr W. Lang) occupied the chair, and the meeting was attended by the following: — Messrs J. R. Wilson, L. Sanderson. (vice-presidents), W. Willet (Civil Service), J. R. Dreaver (St. Andrew's Harriers), L. Anderson (Civil Service), R. G. Anderson (Tokomairiro), J. T. Haraann (D.A.A.G), A. V. Thomson (North End Harriers), D. Melville (Dunedin Harriers), G. A. Scott (St. Andrew's Harriers). Apologies for absence were received from Messrs J. EL Call an (St. Joseph's), Marryatt (vice-preeident), and G. E. Moreton (V.M.C.A.). Mr G. E. Moreton, in apologising for ab c ence, lendered his resignation aft delegate- to the centre from the V.M.C.A. Harriers. The following is extracted from the annual report: — During the year five new clubs — namely, Tuapeka (Lavrrenda), Oatna.ru A. A. Club, Palmerstoa, North End Harriers, and St. Kalda Harriers (Dunedin) were affiliated to Ih-o centre, whilst the Balclutha Harriers became defunct. All the above-mentioned clubs arc now in a prosperous state. Tlie amateur championships of New Zealand wer© contested at Wellington. Otago sent a small team, and did not show to any advantage. Mitchell, second in long jump, and Frew, wlio secured third in the three-mile flat race, were the only members to gain a place. Tlio interclub cross-country championship, contested at \7ingatui, was for the fourth time in succession won by the- Dunedin Harriers, the Caverslnun Olub gaining second place. The schools' athletic charupLonships i\ere i.«ld in April, the meeting was a great, athletic success, but financially a failure. This meeting should be held at the first of the season, when it would be a greater success. The centre allotted the 220 yds and mile/championships of Otago to th© Dunedin Amateur Athletic CJnb, who held the event at the annual sports in February, E. E. Fisher (Wellington) winning the 220 and H. G. Burk (Dunedin) the mile. The 100 yds championship was allotted to the Civil Service Club, the event being won by W. F. Trembath (Gote). The 440 yds was granted to the Univereity Club. The New Zealand Council having formed new rules, centres do not now appoint tEeir delegates, but each centre delegate has power to nominate, nnd Jiolda a. vote. In conclusion, the coming season promises to be the most successful on record, gTe^t number 3cf promising nthlet/es having sprang up w. most of the clubs, and

with 30 many country clubs holding sports meetings, athletes can be certain of getting plenty of running. The statement of receipts, expenditure, and balance sheet showed the centre to be in." * good financial position. The amount of cash at credit was £16 13s 3d, and the total t?**}** 21 13s 3d, whilst there were no liabilities. The Chairman moved the adoption of the annual report .and balance eheet. In seconding the motion Mr L. congratulated the centre on the successful year through which it had passed. The election of office-bearers resulted as follows:— President, Mr J. B. Callan jun. ; vice-presidents— Messrs J. R Wileon. L. Sanderson, L. Anderson «Ln<l W Lang; secretary and treasurer, Mr Wl WiUett; auditor, Mr D. Melville; handicapper and starter, Mr W. M'Donald. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded the retiring office-bearers, the names of Messrs W. Lang and R. J. Anderson being specially mentioned in connection with their work as regarded the Schools' Championship. It was unanimously decided that the retiring secretary (Mr A. V. Thomson) be given an open order for a trophy to tho value of £2 2s, as a slight recognition of his services, during the past year. THE COUNCIL ELECTION. The Chairman 6aid that though the. matter had really nothing to do with,-theiri meeting, he might observe that, as things stool at present, there ssemed .a probability of trouble with the council. _As they knew, tho centre had nominated certain Wellington -gentlemen «as members of the council, and these had been ignored, the president stating thai; the centre's' nomination was out of order, as those nominated were not residents of ChrktchuTch. Mr L. Anderson moved — " Bta£ this centre favour the removal of the headquarters of the association to Wellington." Mr J. T. Hamann seconded the motion,, which was carried unanimously. The Secretary said that he had received a. letter from the N.Z.A.A.A. stating that ' the following gentlemen had been nomi-nated-for seats on the council: — Messrs J. R. Olliver, L. iWhitcombe, G. H. Mason, J. F. Grierson, E. Nordon, J. H. Aitken, and Denys Hoare. This meant tha-t these gentlemen were to constitute the council. Mr Melville moved—" That the eecretary write to the council statinpr that the centra hsd been informed that tho council had rejected. its nomination, and asking under what rule this had been done." Mr L. Sa.uderson seoonded the motion. In his opinion the council had adopted a wry high-hajided attitude in the matter. Mr R. G. Anderson said they would get no satisfaction from Christchurch. They should consult^ a solicitor. The Chairman said it was rather coon. to talk of secession, but he would be prepared to go that length if they did not get satisfaction from the council. He knew other centres would be with them. The motion was carried unanimously. Mr L. Anderson moved — " That rule 3. section (a), be amended to read. ca- council of nine shall be elected by the votes of the centres,',, etc., and that the first part' of rule 3. section (b). be amended to read. ' The officers of the' association shall be a president and vice-presidents, who shall be elected by .the votes of the centres,' and that' the motion be forwarded to the council as a remit from the oontre." Pho motion wan seconded by Mr R. G- • Anderson, and carried unanimously.