ANNUAL MEETING

Southland Times, Issue 20002, 16 October 1926, Page 8

ANNUAL MEETING

ATHLETIC AND CYCLING UNION. The annual meeting of the Southland Centre of the New Zealand Athletic and cycling Union was held in the Edendale Public Hall last evening. President: Mr J. T. Qualter (in the chair-, Messrs J. Reid and W. Leitch (Mataura), W. Trembath and J. Bell (Southland Caledonian), M. McCurdy and G. Buchanan (Dipton), E. D. Bone (Orepuki), W. Grice and R. E. Clark (Riversdale), A. Cocker and Dr McCarthy (Tokanui), 0. Baird and W. Irwin (Edendale), T. O’Byrne (Ryal Bush), M. Rasmussen and A. L. Scobie (Balfour). The balance-sheet showed a credit balance of £2O 16/8 to be carried forward for the ensuing year. In opening the meeting, the chairman said that the report presented was not as good as that submitted in other years. Several societies had had to cancel Hheir meetings, but those which did hold their annual gatherings were able to come out on the right side of the ledger. The report and balance-sheet were adopted on the motion of Mr O’Byrne, seconded by Mr McCurdy. E. M. Lyon wrote, stating that Messrs J. Bell and W. Trembath had been appointed the society’s delegate’s for the ensuing year. W. Trembath wrote in connection with the cup competition of 1924-25, and furnished the society with a list of his placed performances. J. Bell wrote asking for information in connection with a cup presented to the society for the competitor gaining the most points. He stated that some people were saying that the cup had never been bought, and certainly no athlete had ever had his name engraved on it. Prior to the reading of the correspondence on this subject Mr Trembath said he would like to know where the cup was or what the society was doing in the matter. Several athletes had approached him and asked him to bring up the question at the meeting with a view to getting some definite information on the point. After some discussion it was moved by Mr Leitch that the secretary be instructed to make the fullest inquiries in the matter of finding out the conditions pertaining to the cup. This was seconded by Mr Bell. Mr Cocker moved as an amendment that a sub-committee composed of Messrs Bell and O’Byrne obtain the conditions of the cup from the secretary, and then go through the files of the Press. On this being seconded, Mr Leitch withdrew his motion and the amendment was adopted. John J. Skerrett, N. S. McMillan and C. A. Bone wrote asking if it would be possible to alter the dates of some of the meetings as two or three meetings fell on the same day. They suggested that these meetings would receive more entries if held on different dates and thus enable the good old sport to go ahead in the smaller societies.—Received. T. and S. Nichol wrote asking for reinstatement. They had been disqualified for fife, apparently because they had used assumed names. They trusted the Centre would give their support in the matter. The president said that a report would have to be received from the Winton Executive members and then be referred to the next meeting of the executive. They could then make a recommendation to the union. Mr O’Byrne said the disqualification should be lifted. They had given their right performances to the handicappers and had merely used assumed names. Eventually it was decided that the matter be referred to Winton for a report, the information to be dealt with by the next meeting of the executive. The secretary stated that hearing that Ryal Bush were not holding a meeting this year he had allocated the permit to Orepuki.—Secretary's action approved. The question of the location of the annual meeting came up for discussion and it was decided that the original idea—that the meeting should be held in the Eastern and Western District—be adhered to. Delegates thereupon submitted their nominations and Dipton was decided upon as the venue of next annual meeting. Mr T. O’Byrne moved that the executive meetings be held quarterly and in various localities. Seconded by Mr Leitch and carried. The following dates were allocated for the forthcoming season: Dipton, January 1 • Riversdale, January 3; Tokanui, January 5; Mataura, December 28; Tuatapere and Waikaia, January 1; Balfour, December 27. When the president suggested that Mr M. Dowling be written to and thanked for his services to the district, Mr T. O'Byrne moved that Mr Dowling be appointed a member of the executive. Seconded and carried with acclamation. He office-bearers were elected as follows: President, Mr John Qualter; secretary, Mr P. Scobie; vice-presidents, Messrs A. E. Cocker and O. Baird; executive members, Messrs Reid, Rasmussen, McCurdy, Greer, Bone, McLeod, Bell, O’Byrne, Chamberlain, Dowling and Dr. Baird; auditor, Mr R. Grant, junr.