EASTER ATTRACTION

Te Aroha News, Volume XLI, Issue 6440, 19 January 1924, Page 5

EASTER ATTRACTION

WAITOA CYCLING AND ATHLETIC CLUB STRONG BODY FORMED . INITIAL MEETING EASTER SATURDAY Waitoa and the surrounding district is to be provided with a new Eastertide attraction in the future in the shape of the annual meeting of the recently-formed Waitoa Cycling and Club. The initial meeting will take place next Easter Saturday. This was decided at a general meeting held in the Waitoa Public Hall on Tuesday evening last. The day selected for the new body’s annual event is an admirable one in every respect, inasmuch as it does not clash with any other meeting and being followed on Easter Monday by the Te Aroha Club’s annual meeting, will in all probability draw a much larger field of competitors than would otherwise be the case. The fact of two distinct meetings being held on separate days in the same district and at no great distance from each other, should be a sufficient inducement to a large number of athletes from various parts of the North Island (and even from the South) to spend their Easter holidays in Te Aroha.

.. | ON A BUSINESS FOOTING /las announced in Tuesday’s “News” the idea of forming an Athletic Club in Waitoa, emanated from four young men of the district who had the matter at heart,, but nothing definite could be done until a public meeting had been called. The meeting was held on Tuesday evening last, and was an enthusiastic one right from the start., Over sixty people were present (including a large percentage of the farming community), while there w&re also in atendance visitors from outside the district, who 1 came with the highly commendable object of lending the meeting any support it might require. A noticeable feature of the gathering was the large number of ederly men present—men too old to take an active part on the cycling or running track, but who were anxious to throw in their lot in the no less important side of the matter —giving the young body a good “push off,” and acting in any capacity in the management thereof in which their services might be required.

On behalf of the conveners (Messrs

N. J. McNeil, L. Shanley, D. Curtin,

A. Johnson, and W. Howard) Mr J. '?~i A. Luxton was voted to the chair for the initial portion of the meeting, and •• his guidance of the meeting gave enthusiasm, afterwards vacating it in favor of Mr W. J. Luxton, who was elected president of the newly-formed ' Club.'

On a show of hands being taken it was unanimously decided to form a Club, the name of the new body to be “The Waitoa Cycling and Athletic Club.” Application for affiliation with the Northern Athletic Union is to be made. FINANCIAL The membership fee’ was fixed at ten shillings per annum, over 20 joiing the club immediately; while a large number have since made application to the joint secretaries for admittance. \ The question of a guarantee fund was raised by Mr J. Lynch, who stated that it was advisable that such a fund should be. in existence as a reserve, in case the club should need it. Several*, present spoke in support of Mr Lynch's argument, which was considered a very sound one. The result was that forty men guaranteed the sum of £1 (over and above the membership fee) for the free use of the Club should occasion require it, and s ice the meeting was held another twenty have guaranteed a similar amount. Mr N. J. McNeil and Mr J. Lynch were unanimously elected joint secretaries. The Club has also been fortunate in securing the services of Mr L. Cordes as hon. treasurer. ? ELECTION OF OFFICERS The following officers were elected: Patron: Mr W. Woods. President: Mr W. J. Luxton. i Vice-presidents: Messrs A. Yarrell, F. Yarrell, H. Poland, M.P., A. J. Luxton. H. A. Kinnibrugh, D. Craig, F. Hansen, D. Johns, N. McLean, J. Ross, H. Joll, A. W. Johnson, Alex. 'Johnson, M. Shanley, L. Shanley, D. Curtain, H. Hyde, D. O’Sullivan, W. Haliett, R. Smith, L. Cordes, R. S. Farrow and W. Howard. Committee: Messrs A. J. Luxton, Alex. Johnson, L. Shanley, D. Curtain, N. McLean, D. O’Sullivan, A. W. Johnson, J. Wickey, G. .Cleghorn, H. Hollier, J. Louden, R. Bates, W. Perry and W. Howard. ' Mr McNeil in a very pleasing

speech referred to the generosity of Messrs W. Woods and A. Yarrell, who on his motion were unanimously elected life members.

The following grounds committee was appointed: Messrs A. Johnson, L. Cordes, L. Chanley, N. J. McNeil, D. Curtain, Alex. Johnson and W. Howard. The first committee meeting, to make preliminary arrangements for the Club’s initial fixture, will be held on Monday evening next. “OLLA PODRIDA” Mr Johns asked for a few details of the ground that had been promised by Mr Woods for the use of the Club.

Mr Howard said the Club was particularly fortunate in securing the use of such a ground. It was admirably adapted for the purpose. Several others endorsed Mr Howard’s remarks, Mr D Shine remarking that the thanks of the Club were also due to Mr Arthur Yarrell in allowing the use of his property as an entrance to the sports arena. Mr Yarrel’s property made a charming entrance avenue, and being well wooded with macracarpa and other trees made an excellent picnic -ground. Mr Yarrell, he said, had gone to considerable inconvenience in allowing the Club the use of his property, and those present should show their appreciation of it in a wholehearted manner. .At Mr Shine’s invitation, three cheers were given for Mr Woods and Mr Yarrell for their generosity. <

Mr M. McLean asked whether local competitors would be given a concession over outside competitors. Mr W. Howard said this would not be the case. The local men should have to stand their chances with those outside the district, just as the older men had to do in days gone by. Mr Howard’s sentiments were unanimously endorsed by the meeting.

In reply to Mr Johns as to whether a permanent grass track could be laid down, Mr A. Johnson said that owing to the ground being soft the convenors had, after careful consideration, decided that a cinder track would be more preferable. The meeting decided that such a track be laid down.

Mr R. Smith stated that he had received wo'rd from the Te Aroha Club to the effect that any help it could render the Waitoa body would be gladly given. The Te Aroha Club was thanked for its generous offer. In reply to Mr Cordes it was stated that satisfactory arrangements had been made regarding transport facilities from the railway station to the sports ground. Mr M. McLean; asked if provision was being made for horse events at future gatherings. The answer was in the affirmative, if the matter could be satisfactorily arranged. In reply to Mr J. Louden it was stated that local competitors would be allowed the use of the ground for training purposes in between the meetings.

The initial general meeting of the Waitoa Cycling and Athletic Club was in every way a decided success, and augurs well for the future of the newly-formed body.