TROUBLED WATERS

Southland Times, Issue 25385, 12 September 1935, Page 13

TROUBLED WATERS

CENTRAL BASKETBALL SUB-ASSOCIATION A LIVELY MEETING Some lively discussions characterized a meeting of the executive committee of the Central District Basketball SubAssociation at Winton on Tuesday ev.ening. One of the principal issues was the decision to send eleven girls on tour with the Central representatives who took part in the New Zealand tournament at Wellington instead of ten as had been decided by the subas'sociation. The decision of the emergency committee in taking the extra member came in for some comment. The president, Mr W. Norman, presided over an attendance of fifteen delegates. A letter was received from Mrs E. Mortimer, coach of the representative team and a member of the selection committee, expressing thanks at being given the opportunity of accompanying the team to Wellington. She trusted that the executive was pleased with the achievement of the side. The touring team was fortunate that there were no accidents, and thus the same players were able to take part in each match. Mrs Mortimer regretted that she had had to ask for an extra player, but Mrs Bain Challis had recommended it, as it was thought that T. Valli’s ankle injury would not permit her to play in further games. The writer indicated that she was endeavouring to raise further funds to assist in meeting this extra expense. The chairman stated that when Miss Valli had been injured the selection committee chose a further girl to play in the centre. He referred the matter to the emergency committee, and Mr Watson had objected to an extra girl being taken and contended that there was no need for eleven. The Lochiel Club contributed £4 15/- towards the expenses of sending the extra girl. “Decision Over-ruled.” Mr A. Watson: My attitude was that the sub-association had decided to send 10 players and this decision was being over-ruled. I held that if Miss Valli’s injury was such that she could not pass a medical examination she should not go, and then this extra girl could be taken. After.some discussion Mr W. G. Clark moved, and Mr L. D. Cowie seconded, that the action of the emergency committee in including an extra member in the team be approved. Mr H. A. Pierce contended that it was little use in passing a resolution one day and altering it the next. He had no objection to the extra girl being taken, but the matter should have been dealt with properly. The emergency committee had not been unanimous in the decision that had been reached. Mr Alex Clark: In any case those who had the matter in hand have basketball more at heart than those who are objecting. Mr Watson: I object to such an inference. Mr Clark is inferring that we as delegates from clubs are not interested in basketball. I would like to point out that we are delegates of clubs, but the trouble with this subassociation is that it is controlled by an army of vice-presidents. Mr Norman: We have quite a number of vice-presidents, although our constitution says that we should have only three. Mr Watson: We will have that rectified next year. Mi- Pierce: As far as the extra girl travelling with the team is concerned, I have no objection. The point is that the decision should have been reached at least on the correct lines. Mr Watson: We knew a week before that eleven girls instead of ten were going. Mr Mathias: I am being blamed as one of those who sent the extra girl. As a matter of fact I did not know she was going until two days before the team departed. Mr W. Anderson: The second clause of the objects of the association deals with the point—that the duty of the sub-association is to further the interests of basketball in the district. I think that should be read to the meeting. Mr Watson: To those vice-presidents. Motion Carried. The motion of approval was carried, Messrs Watson and Pierce dissenting. Mr Watson: I wish my vote to be recorded against that motion. Mr H. Phillips: Mr Watson and Mr Pierce are only objecting to the 11 girls being taken when a team of 10 was decided on. The chairman read the balance-sheet in connection with the touring team, which disclosed that t-he actual trip cost the sub-association £9 19/9. “I don’t see the name of your club among those that contributed to the funds. Mr Watson,” remarked Mr Norman. Mr Watson: If the Winton Club had received the treatment from the chair that it might have had, its name might have been on the list. We consider that the club has not been given the consideration it should have been given. Mr Norman: I am sorry I was the means of your club not contributing anything. I certainly take exception to those remarks, and I would like them recorded.

Mr Watson: You can write as much as you like in your book as far as our club is concerned, and it will not affect us. I am quite open about it. We have been punished ever since you have been in the chair. Mr Norman: I want these remarks recorded. Through the action of the chairman ...

Mr Watson: That was never mentioned. You are putting words into the secretary’s mouth. You take no notice of the minutes anyway, as far as I can see.

The matter was further discussed and then dropped. When the minutes of the previous meeting were being confirmed, the president stated that a remark passed at an earlier meeting, and to have been included in the minutes confirmed at the’ last meeting, had been omitted inadvertently. During the meeting in question Mr Pierce had asked that the following remark be recorded in the minutes: “Mr A. Watson stated that the Winton Club had not done anything towards raising funds for the team as their club would not be represented.” He asked that this matter be put in order. Mr Watson, who moved the confirmation of the minutes at the previous meeting, said he was quite in favour of this omission being included. Mr Alex. Clark: I think I am personally interested in this matter. I am a vice-president of the Winton Club and I was astonished at Mr Watsons remark. By virtue of my office I am a member of the executive of the Winton Club, and I have no knowledge of the policy of the club. I should like to have it recorded that I, as a vicepresident of the club, do not see ey£ to eye with the club’s policy. I have never been consulted in the matter and therefore I do not hold with the opinion of delegates at this meeting. Mr Watson: Do you mean delegate or delegates? Mr Clark: You were spokesman. Mr Watson: There were three delegates present from the club at that meeting. On the motion of Messrs L. Cowie and Arthur Clark the omission from the minutes was included.