CASH ATHLETICS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19137, 5 October 1936, Page 7

CASH ATHLETICS

POVERTY BAY CENTRE SILVER JUBILEE OLD TIME REMINISCENCES The silver jubilee, making the twetity-fifili anniversary of the formation of the Poverty Ray centre of the New Zealand Athletic, Cycling and Axemen's Union, was celebrated by a dinner in I'.e Grand Cafe on Saturday night. The gathering was attended by a number of old timers in the sport of cash athletics, and reminiscences of early flays on the sports fields in the district were on changed. The attendance included some visitors from Wniron. Mr. T. G. Lawless, president of the centre, presided.

The chairman rend a number of apologies, including one from Mr. A. Larson, patron of the centre, and Mi', A. E. Davy. The latter wrote of his pleasurable association wiih the centre since its inception, and hoped that the day was noi far distant when Poverty Bay would run a world's championship meeting. A further apology was received from Mr. Allan Sutton, who was secretary of the centre for many years, while there were several others, including some from. Wairoa.

The first toast, after that to the King, was to the New Zealand Union. Proposing this, the chairman said that it was a pleasure to be associated with such a body. The present, president was Mr. 11. 11. Erazcr, Timaru, who succeeded the late Mr. D. McCoy. The late president was a fine man, and he believed that the new one worthily filled his place. GISBORNE PROGRESS Mr. C. Church, representative of the New Zealand Union on t he Poverty Bay centre, responded, saying thai the union was governed by representatives from all over New Zealand, all working in the interests of the sport, which was carried on as a clean sport, healthy and desirable. Poverty Bay was one'of the main centres of the union, and many of the union's laws were adopted at the instigation of the Poverty Bay centre. Great progress in cash athletics had been made by the Poverty Bay centre, which ranked high among centres in New Zealand for its capable administration and sound financial position. Even if difficulties had arisen with the union, it could always depend on the whole-hearted support of the Poverty Bay union. in proposing the toast to the centre, Mr. T. G. Johns said that nothing had destroyed the ardour of the old. enthusiastic followers of the sport. The jubilee of 2fj years should be the opening of a new era of prosperity. At no time in the history of the w.orld was sport more necessary than at present, and many friendships were made between countries by the young people of those countries meeting together on the field of sport. He trusted that all those present would attend at a further jubilee. MANY CHANGES Responding, Mr. A. E. Elliott said that his first professional race as a, bfty in Gisborne was 12 years ago in Tucker's paddock, and he had followed the sport to the present day, having seen many changes. Until 1910, most meetings were run under the Now Zealand League of Wheelmen. In those clays there were some very strong clubs', including the Hospital 1 Societv, Scottish Society and St. Patrick's blub, atid. further back the ft-iefullv societies rait some 'very succeSstuf sports. For some years up to 1010 the secretary of the sports wa? Mr Harrv Hull, while for a time the sports languished. The X + ew Zealand union wrote to Mr. Elliott, who wa" nsked to form a centre, and after several attempts (hey eventually formed one, and he was appointed secretary. The centre flourished lor sevWal years, and attained third place in the centres in New Zealand. OLD PHOTOGRAPHS At. this juncture. Mr. Elliott exhibited a photograph of the first centre members in 1910 and 1911. which he donated to the centre. Those in the photograph included Mr. G. A. Holmes, who was present and Mr. D. J. Barry. In 1917, the speaker said he went into camp ami lost- touch with the centre. He recalled a, meeting 42 years ago when the peimy-half-pcnnv cycles were in vogue, and 'he exhibited a photograph of the first, bicycle after the present style which defeated all of the older type. Returning to Gisborne in 1920, the speaker said that he continued his activity with the centre, and bad retained' his interest ever since. In road races then, the entries were large, up to 42 being received for a race to To Knraka.

Reference was made by the chairman to several active and prominent members of the centre of the past, Mr. A. E. Daw was responsible for organising ono of the largest meetings held in Povcrtv Bay, at which takings totalled .£4OO. 'Messrs Edwards. George Wildish, D. J. Barry, .1. J. Martin, and Frank Henderson had boon presidents. Mr. Lawless said he succeeded Mr. Henderson as president, and retained that position now. Mr. \V. lv. Chamberlain succeeded Mr. Sutton as secretary, and before that those holding the position were Messrs. Elliott. Gordon Witty, and Harry Hull. Messrs. Elliott, Leo Davy, Callahan, and George Downey were handicappcrs and starters for the centre. Mr. Davy had been official starter for many' years, and no one coukl equal him iii that respect. The financial position at present was sound and the last balance sheet showed a credit, balance of £26. The centre required only sufficient money to carry on the work, and did not need to accumulate money. Great, credit was due fo the secretary for the soundness of the finances 'Registrations last year showed a marked increase from 174 to 328. and for tins groat, credit was due to Messrs. A. It. H. .Unwin, Wniron, C. L. Davy and' 0. Humphreys. Axemen's events bad boon always popular, and the centre woicoinoci the formation of the new club.

20 AFFILIATED CLUBS Tho toast 10 the affiliated clubs was proposed by Mr. A. 11. H. Unwin, Wai-i-oa. Tho number of affiliated clubs-with the centre, 20, hf said bad shown an increase, several from bis own end joining. He believed there would be a further increase in affiliations. Mr. C. A. Holmes responding, congratulated the centre on the growing to such a strong body with 20 affiliated clubs. The success of the sport in the district reflected much credit on, the older men managing the affairs. So loiip. as the sports were carried on in n proper manner, the centre need have no fear whether they would lie well patron food. Back in the days on Tucker's paddock, he remembered. Messrs. ,]. A. Eaton. R. Cole. Hums, ,). Hill, ■). Morell and J. B. Poynter. All sections of the sporting community supported each other, and the events were all popular. Mr. G. Tattersall was associated with the sports on Greig's track, which was known then as one of file best cycle tracks in New Zealand. Init_ one particular meeting at which visiting athletes raced, only to beat the local men. crippled the sports meetings for a long time, the next gathering being a dismal failure.

Mr. Church proposed tho toast to the athletes and officials. He congratulated the officials, who wore (he construction and framework of the sport. Mr. A. E. Davy was one of the most ardent and efficient organisers for the spoil, not only in thp l'overty Hay district biil also throughout New 'Zealand. The centre now followed on lhal good work done by Mr. Davy, who had promoted the New Zealand championships and was the chief mover in promoting the big world's championship chop in Gisborno. The union appreciated the efforts of the officials, who were carrying out great work, l'overty Hay had had outstanding athletes during the past, 25 years, including Fred Mnhoney. who was killed in (he war: his success while on lhe field was remarkable. Also, there was Mr. Mick Griffon, who held the New Zealand championship for the mile. Messrs P. Fisehbaeh, G. Carr, and G. A. Holme: responded. Mr. Fisehbach .stressed the necessity of keeping the sport free from bolting, find said, that betting had been the downfall of some, of tho past chilis. Mr. Carr, a competitor since 1000, spoke of the value of the friendships formed. Other idasts were: "The visitors," proposed by Mr. 0. Church, responded to by Mr. D. Wilson, Wttiroa: "Kindred Sports," Mr. T. Of. .Tohns, and Messrs. J. Broad and Afnbin (Wturna); "The Artists," Mr. L. Ogier, and Messrs. E. {Sharpies and A. U. .Seal; "The Press." Mr. K. Wilson; "The President and the foundation member." Mr. Church, and .Messrs Lawless and Elliott.

During the evening a very enjoyable musical programme was contributed by an orchestra under the direction, of Mr" E. Sharpies, with other items rendered by Messrs. R. Sloane, K. Sharpies and A. P. Seal.