CENTRE CRITICISED

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1078, 16 September 1930, Page 13

CENTRE CRITICISED

FAPATOETOE ATHLETIC CLUB’S BREAKAWAY REASONS FOR DECISION Following the I’apatoetoe Amateur Athletic and Cycling Club’s action last week in cancelling its affiliation with the New Zealand Amateur Athletic: ■ Mr. W. J. Hindman, president of the? club, in regard to the position. Mr. Hindman remarked that the action was taken by the club merely to ensure its own existence. The resolution carried was absolutely unanimous, and was not influenced in any way by himself or anyone connected with cycling. Air. Hindman said that in answer to questions at the meeting in regard to .t change of policy, lie made it plain to the members that they must make any such decision themselves, and that lie did not wish to influence the club in any way. He pointed out the fact that the constitution of the officers and executive of the club was made up of men of standing in th«t district, and it could never be said that the action taken was the act of any irresponsible youths. “The decision was absolutely unanimous,” he said. CORRESPONDENCE NOT ANSWERED Mr. Hindman said the centre had given no assistance whatever to the club. The centre, he said, had not even replied to any correspondence forwarded to it since the club’s inception, and, in fact, in that direction its correspondence may as well have been addressed to the man in the moon. Questioned regarding a statement that the club’s affiliation to the X.Z.A.A.A had never been granted, he replied that he did not know whether it had gone through or not He explained that in April last, when the delegates of the New Zealand Council visited Auckland, he was informed by them that the club had not yet been affiliated, although i". held a receipt from the Auckland Centre for the fee, dated the previous October. No reason was given by the centre for the holdup, and although the council’s representatives gave an assurance that it was not to blame, and that the affiliation would be put through on their return to Wellington, no notification has ever reached the club that it had been done. Although the secretary of the Auckland Centre knew that ihe affiliation was not completed, he applied for and was given a further cheque of two guineas, for the fee for two delegates representing the club on the centre. This was some months after the originaL payment. “APATHY OF CENTRE” “That will give you some indication of the incapacity of the officials of the centre in Auckland,” said Mr. Hindman, “and is it any wonder that dissatisfaction is rife in athletic circles in tho City, wholly on account bf the inactivity and sher apathy displayed?” . . JNfr. Hindman said the council of the X.Z.A.A.A. knew of the position. He continued: —“The council’s representatives had a 15 minutes’ talk to mo before the conference, and could tell mo all that I knew —and more. They know the position exactly, make no mistake about that.” he said with assurance. •The Auckland Centre is just a joke,” said Mr. Hindman in reply to a question. “I have attended their meetings, and know what I am talking about. Other delegates will tell you the same.” He said that the portion of the club > annual report. which said that the authorities were more concerned with winning a dispute with the cyclists than they were about the welfare of tho clubs in Auckland, just about summed up the position. Had the Papatoetoe Club remained “on side with the centre, it would have died a lingering but sure death. “Athletics in Auckland,” he said, “are about as , dead as they could be, and this is entirely due to the lack of activity ot those at the head of the sport. There is no real reason why it should be so. as my club has already shown that, properly managed, it can flourish. CONFIDENT OF FUTURE “Do you think that you will be in a better position under the new conditions.” Mr. Hindman was asked. “Yes, decidedly so,” was his reply. “The Papatoetoe Club will be in a position to put on first-class carnivals during the coming season. I Jim very confident about the future. The committee is an exceptionally capable one,” he added. Asked if he had heard anything from the athletic authorities in regard to his club’s action, Mr. Hindman said. “No. I do not expect any. They now have no jurisdiction over us.” The original club over which they perhaps did hold authority does not now exist. ’ Mr. Hindman said that the cycling dispute was regrettable, and without doubt was badly handled. He regretted having to sever association with the many runners who had competed at his club’s meetings, all of whom were good sports; but he believed that the runners themselves knew that the club was taking the only avenue open to it. and they themselves were “fed up” with the management of their sport. - “Many other instances could be given regarding the mismanagement of affairs in Auckland,” said Mr. Hindman, “but what I have said will suffice to give some justification for my club s action. Your inquiries suggested that there may be soms misunderstanding regarding the attitude of mv club, and I have given you some facts, purely in the direction of justifying the action taken.*” were Mr. Hindman’s parting remarks.