SECRETARY RESIGNS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3755, 2 March 1926, Page 86

SECRETARY RESIGNS.

OBJECTION TO A GJFT. AUCKLAND, February 24 A discussion at a special meeting of the Auckland Centre cf the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association last evening on the subject of an offer by the Auckland Sports Club to provide up to £25 for the purchase of trophies for an athletic meeting to be held on the return of ne American runners Scliolz and Hahn to Auckland, resulted in Mr W. Morton, who for many years has acted as lion, secretary, handing in his resignation. The letter from the Sports Club stated that £25 would be provided to he ex pended on trophies as the centre thought fit. If the offer were not acceptable, the club would provide a trophy valued at £5 os for a mile handicap race at the meet ing. - Most oi the members wee in favour of accepting the offer, but Mr Morton and Mr G. R. Metcalfe were strongly against it. Mr Mortou contended that. after the breaking up of the old Anu>teur Sports Club no right-thinking member of any amateur organisation could accept the proffered donation. The centre could undoubtedly do with funds, aud it was alread in his own personal debt, but on no account would he be a party to accepting the offer. He moved that the offer be declined, and added that although he would regret having to do so, if the donation were accepted his resignation of the post of honorary secretary would follow. The motion was put to the meeting, and was defeated by eight votes to two. Mr Mortoi. handed in his resignation as honorary secretary, to take effect from next Tuesday evening’s meeting. Subsequently he was asked to reconsider the matter, but declined while the centre approved of the acceptance of the donation in question.