OTAGO CENTRE N.Z.A.A.A.

Otago Witness, Issue 2983, 17 May 1911, Page 66

OTAGO CENTRE N.Z.A.A.A.

The monthly meeting of tho Otago Centre, N.Z.A.A.A., held on Thursday night, was presided over by Mr E. O. Rosovear (president), and there was a large attendance of delegates. COBBESPONDENCE. Tho Hon. Secretary Dunedin Anglican Harriers wrote notifying appointment of W. Broen as his club's delegate to the centre for the ensuing year. —Received. Tho Hon. Secretary G.S.H. and A.A.C. wrote notifying appointment of R. E. Egglestone as delegate in place of Mr Stephens (resigned).—Received. Martin Cowen, a student at the University, applied for reinstatement as an amateur. Tho last time ho performed was two years ago at Clyde.—lt was decided that the application .be sent forward to the counoil of tho A.A.A. for favourable consideration. W. G. Talbot, hon. secretary N.Z.A.A.A., wrote stating that the case of W. W. Hogarth had been considered, and his reinstatement agreed to. The letter also stated that ihe question of the venue of the Australasian championships was considered at length, and it was decided to allot the fixture to Wellington. —Received. DISOBEDIENT DELEGATES. In accordance with notice of motion, Mr R. G Anderson (D A.A.C.) moved—" That the motion passed at last centre meeting revoking the appointment of the Otago Centre's representatives on the counoil of the N.Z.A.A.A. be rescinded." The mover said that it was the opinion of his club that the centre was somewhat hasty in revoking the appointment of its two delegates without first hearing the men. It was not fair play to condemn them without giving them a chance of being heard. The centre had acted without any official information, and the motion passed was ultra vires. Outside of Otago not a single newspaper had supported the centre's action. His club wished to save the centre's face, and the only way to do it Was to withdraw what they had done and discuss the matter in a calm manner. It was true that the delegates had a little fair play. Mr Oallan said that tho two points on which Mr Anderson attacked the centre were that the motion passed at last meeting was ultra vires, and that it was not sportsmanlike to condemn the men without hearing their defence. They knew that it was probably ultra vires, and he himself now thought it was eo. He had moved the motion becau.se it seemed to him that it was the only proper way to mark the attitude that should be taken up by the centre under the circumstances, and he was prepared to concede that what they had done was ultra vires. It did not matter now, because they had before them statements from both Marryatt and Pollock that if the motion now before the meeting were passed they would send in their resignations. He did not admit for a moment, and he strongly objected to, the statement that the centre had acted in an unsportsmanlike manner. What actuated him was the fact that these gentlemen were beyond all doubt requested to do a certain thing. If a man got definite instructions that it was the wish of the Otago Centre that a certain thing should be- done he should do one of two things. He should either tell his centre that he would keep an open mind on the subject or if he thought the suggestion was wrong say so. They had, however, maintained an absolute silence. He was quite prepared to admit that they had done a great deal for athletics, and far athletics in Otago especially. When men showed they were not to be trusted there was only one course to pursue. • He did not think that the-centre was going to put itself in the extremely ridiculous position of rescinding, the very sensible motion passed at last meeting. Mr A. R. Barclay wanted to know why Mr Marryatt had not come forward with has defence. He had been in Dunedin, but had expressed no desire or wish to meet the centre or try and explain his position. Very strong evidence would have to bt> brought before him to clear his mind oL the conviction that Mr Marryatt had deliberately deceived them. He 'had by his action deliberately forfeited the trus* and confidence which the centre had reposed in him. The Chairman said that he had not been long in the office of their president when the matter first came before them, and he purposely refrained from taking any active part in it. He wanted to say that the Otago Centre had had very considerable gratuitous advice bestowed upon it by the press, but he was very pleased to say that the centre had taken no notice whatever of what the press had said. He wanted to say also that no parochial spirit had been shown in the centre, and he bad seen nothing of it since he had been on the committee. This matter had been discussed in a calm manner when it came before the centre. He had not mixed with a body of men who had taken more interest in their sport than, the present committee. He was firmly convinced after five weeks' deliberation that what they had done at last meeting,was the correct thing. He. had been surprised when some section of the press had said that they had no right to give instructions. If the centre were to rescind the resolution then it would certainly make itself a laughing stock. On being put to the meeting Mr Anderson's motion was lost, the voting being 3 for and 19 against. It was then resolved—- " That the centre take no further action in the matter, and that the Auckland Centre be thanked • for the kindly interest it had shown." Mr Barclay then gave the following notico of motion: —"That this centre take into consideration the question of consulting the other centres as to whether the headquarters of the N.Z.A.A.A. Council should not be removed from Wellington." From the remarks that were passed by members it was evident that the feeling of the meeting was somewhat against this proposal. GENERAL. The sub-committee, consisting of Messrs J. B. Callan, jun., A. R. Barclay, and A. 0. Smith, which was set up to consider the (matter oi affiliating to the Otago Athletic Clubs' Protection Association, reported that it bad examined the articles of aesocia-

tion, and found that the centre could not affiliate as the rules provided a means of compelling the payment of subscriptions by individuals, also that it was no part of the business of the centre to recommend the clubs affiliated to it to affiliate to the association. —The report was adopted. During the evening the chairman presented to A. S. Reid (University) the medal won by him at the New Zealand championships for putting the weight, and to R. F. Mitchell (Civil Service) the modal won by him at the same meeting for the high jump.

At a meeting held during the Easter holidays, the Civil Service Harrier and A.A. Club passed a resolution instructing its delegates to the Otago Centre to rescind the motion revoking the appointment of Messrs Marryatt and Pollock as delegates to the N.Z.A.A.A. At a largely-attended meeting of the committee, held on "Wednesday, these instructions were countermanded, and the delegates given a free hand.